Worship Through Service
Open Your Bible
Matthew 25:31-46, Isaiah 58:6-11, Mark 10:35-45
BY Guest Writer
Have you ever wrestled with what it means to serve? In my own life, I’ve found it’s far easier to seek out what’s fun or brings comfort. Life gets tiring and stressful, and the only way we can survive is by putting something “fun” on the calendar, something to look forward to. Our family does this, and I don’t believe there is anything wrong with it. But I wonder if our craving for fun is masking a deeper desire for joy—the kind of fulfillment that comes from serving others.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that when He returns He will know who loves Him by the way that we help others: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in” (Matthew 25:35).
We’re tempted to read this verse and say to ourselves, “I need to sign up for a food kitchen” or “I need to give that homeless person a dollar the next time I see them.” These are all good things, sure, but is this the kind of service Jesus is really talking about in this passage?
Jesus also said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). These two passages are bold calls to live our lives wide open to constant, regular, and sacrificial acts of laying our lives down for others. Jesus’s words beckon us to worship Him not through obligatory service, but with guttural prayers asking the Lord to allow us opportunities to love in His name.
Why does Jesus ask this of us? Jesus loves us, came to die for us, and knows that the only way for us to have the full, free, and joy-filled life that we so deeply desire is through the laying down our lives for others (John 15:13).
What does this look like? It might look like embracing an interruption in our already busy day. Or perhaps it looks like bravely praying that God would send someone your way to love in His name. It might look like asking Him to reveal opportunities to worship Him through service to others. Maybe you’re called to embrace the uncomfortable and not shy away from that call because you are afraid of the unknown.
When we create margin in our lives to serve others, we realize that any sacrifices we make to worship God in this way—whether it be through our time, resources, or creativity—all pale in comparison to the joy we receive as a result.
I pray that today, God would show us ways we can serve as Jesus served, and that the joy that wells up when we do would create an unquenchable desire for more!
Maria Furlough is a wife and a mother to one amazing 11-year-old daughter, three rambunctious boys, and one baby boy who lives in the arms of Jesus. Formerly a full-time youth pastor, Maria now teaches women’s Bible studies and works as the Missions Team leader at Lake Forest Church in Huntersville, North Carolina. Maria is the author of Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for You Anxious Heart and Confident Moms, Confident Daughters. You can find Maria on Instagram or Facebook @MariaFurlough or online at www.mariafurlough.com.
84 thoughts on "Worship Through Service"
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Is it possible that some of the anxiety we/I endure is merely the putting off of following through with Gods direction? Perhaps, if we/I simply follow through in the ‘doing’ of love this anxiety of just rushing about my day would be lifted. When anxiety is lifted then joy will take its place.
This was such a good reminder to me as I begin my day.
I also love the comments that others share, I realize I am not alone in this struggle. Thank you all! I am encouraged today!
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Serve god by serving others.
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As I read the Matthew 25 passage, I was struck by the condemnation of the goats. They hadn’t “done” anything sinful – they just hadn’t done anything! In my own heart I know that there have been so many times in my own life that I have acted like a goat. I am not worthy to enter the kingdom of heaven, but He opens the door for me – not only that, but He wants me to join Him in His great kingdom work by loving others. Yes, Lord! I can’t wait to serve my husband and in-laws today!
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❤️
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“But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
1Samuel 15:22
Ultimately it’s about being obedient. Jesus sacrificed His life for us out of obedience. He didn’t have to do it but I’m glad He did. God is asking for our obedience. Worship is obedience. Sacrifice is obedience. -
Only God can place love in our hearts for others. Father, give us love for those around us and help us see them like you do. Please grant us the capacity to love, serve and do it all with a willing heart.
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Friends, will you pray for me? I have a woman in my life who I’m actively serving. It’s uncomfortable. I’m praying daily for the Lord to move in her life, as well as keeping me from the “dark side” of serving – enablement, savior-hood, etc. I worry about the emotional toll of her burden and even being taken advantage of, but I lay it all at the feet of Jesus. I pray He will use me to serve this woman and show her His goodness and mercy. Lord use me in your service!
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I’m praying for you, Kara. I’ve been a caregiver and I know it can be really hard sometimes. I tried to remember that Jesus said, ‘if you do it for the least of these, you do it for Me.’
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Father god thank you for this study. I feel as though you call me to do the uncomfortable and to give a voice to those who do not have one. Please help me to release the stress and anxiety and worry on my heart that comes associated with that. Give me the strength and the faith to trust in your purpose for me. Amen
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I have been so stressed this week, to the point of anxiety and sleeplessness last night. One of the things I routinely feel God leading me to do is to encourage people who are hurting or sick. He has been nudging me to bring some flowers to a woman going through chemo, and I have been putting it off, because selfishly it’s such a busy week. As I read this devotional and pray, I think about the 30 minutes it would take to cut some flowers from my garden and drop them off at her house with a card. The peace and joy that would give ME. I’m going to squeeze this in today….not just for the comfort it might give her, but for the authentic joy I know it will bring to my heart. Created in His image, I know that this kind of “sacrificial” life is what I was created for. Just anticipating worshipping in this way later today makes me feel my usual sense of peace and joy and the anxiety is gone.
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