Making an Making an Scriptures, Devotions, Thoughts, & Prayers for Those Who Serve Who, me? Make an eternal difference? Yes, it s true! This book helps focus your efforts on the eternal difference your service makes. It encourages you to see your service through the lens of eternity, even as you work from day to day in the here and now. Under the blessing of God, every word spoken, every act of service in Jesus name makes a difference an eternal difference. #MKD6SC 088877 ISBN 978-1-940088-87-7 9 781940 088877 Scriptures, Devotions, Thoughts, & Prayers for Those Who Serve
Making an Scriptures, Devotions, Thoughts, & Prayers for Those Who Serve Gail Marsh Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philippians 1:3 NLT
The mission of CTA is to glorify God by providing purposeful products that lift up and encourage the body of Christbecause we love him! Making an Jesus Calls Written by Gail Marsh Copyright 2016 CTA, Inc. 1625 Larkin Williams Rd. Fenton, MO 63026 www.ctainc.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of CTA, Inc. Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-940088-87-7 PRINTED IN THAILAND As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. John 20:21
Day 1 When Jesus Calls By God s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Ephesians 3:7 NLT I m not much of an artist, she confided in her teacher. While other students grabbed paper, pencils, and markers, the self-proclaimed artistic failure wandered around the classroom, watching as her friends made pure magic happen on their papers. Then came (drum roll) dot-to-dot! It was so simple, yet beautiful! All you had to do was make lines that connected one number to the next. A picture appeared before your very eyes! It was amazing! Magical! And for the first time, the little girl began to see herself as a success. Can you relate to this child s experience? Do you remember the first time someone invited you to serve at church? Maybe at that moment you, too, experienced self-doubt. Did you say to yourself, I m really not much of a (fill in the blank)? Did you tell your friend, I ve never been very good at (you name it). You may be surprised to learn that the apostle Paul felt unqualified for the work to which Jesus called him. He writes: I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:9 The word translated least in our English Bibles means literally leastest, or less than the least. Paul made the word up, perhaps to highlight how very inadequate he truly was! We understand that, don t we? Because of our sins, not one of us is qualified to serve our Lord or his people. It s only by the grace of God that we become qualified. Paul explains it like this: Whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT God began pouring his special favor on you when he sent his Son, Jesus, to be your Savior. He s forgiven all of your sins and deems you worthy to serve. Even now God continues to pour out his special favor on you, enabling you to serve him by serving his people. Whether you tend the church flower beds, teach a preschool class, or preach sermons each week, your service makes an eternal difference! Dear Lord Jesus, when I feel inadequate, remind me that by your love, forgiveness, and power, you have qualified me... 4 5
Day 2 My Calling to Serve Day 3 A Unique Calling It s humbling to think that Jesus has called you to make an eternal difference. When do you feel most unworthy or uncertain of that calling? Which Scriptures help you then?.................. It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:4 5 The fellowship hall reverberated with excitement. It seemed as though everyone in the little rural church wanted to celebrate with the young couple about to be married. Three long tables were stacked high with wedding shower gifts, and as the happy couple moved to open their presents, a sudden, hushed anticipation overtook the room. No one wanted each gift to be the same. One toaster is useful. Two is too many. Seven toasters would be ridiculous! The happy couple would want to toast bread, but they would also hope to fry eggs and blend smoothies. They would need plates, cups, silverware, and a myriad of other household items, too. Different gifts are good! A variety of gifts makes it possible to accomplish many different tasks. So it is in the church. How many different gifts are needed within the fellowship of believers to which you belong? Five? Ten? Twenty? God intends that, together, you impact your community and the world for Jesus. How many gifts will it take to make an eternal difference? Most people recognize that many hands make light work, but sometimes believers are tempted to compare their giftedness to the giftedness of others. Such comparisons are always dangerous. Either we Philippians 2:13 6 7
begin to consider ourselves better than others, allowing pride to puff us up, or we begin to consider our service insignificant in light of what others are doing, and we lose our joy in serving. Paul writes: Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12 How can we keep a God-pleasing view of our giftedness? Instead of focusing on the differences in gifts and service, we can concentrate on the message that unites everyone: You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NLT Day 4 Thinking about My Calling When are you most likely to compare your giftedness and service for Jesus with the gifts and service of others? Why do you think that happens? Ask your Savior to keep you focused on the message of the cross that unites all who serve him in love. Dear Jesus, thank you for calling me into your service and giving me the gifts I need to serve. Help me always remember... Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10 8 9
Day 5 Worthy of Christ s Calling We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Is it valuable? What s it worth? These questions often come up when people receive a family heirloom. Great-granddad s watch or Aunt Elsie s diamond brooch passes from one generation to the next. Sometimes heirs receive the heirloom as our great-granddad or Aunt Elsie intended as a sentimental reminder of the family member who has gone before. Sometimes, though, the heirloom s true value is lost on its recipient. The watch, brooch, cameo, or gold bracelet is pawned for quick cash or donated in return for a small tax deduction. Who should receive the heirloom? becomes a big decision, especially if the person making the will wants the item to 2 Thessalonians 1:11 12 remain within the family for generations to come. Who is worthy? Who can be trusted to pass along the family treasure? The idea of worthiness comes to the fore in today s Scripture reading. Read the words again. Envision the all-powerful God, the one who spoke the universe into existence, pressing the precious Gospel message into your hands. What a responsibility! Our first thought? I m not worthy! Or see Jesus, your Savior, handing off to you the wondrous news of his resurrection. Would you be tempted to say something like this: Lord, choose someone else! I know I could never make an eternal difference. I m not qualified to share this good news. I m just not! Paul reminds us that sharing the Gospel message of forgiveness and peace in the cross of Christ is not about us our sinful past, our weaknesses, our commitment. Instead, it s about Jesus! God alone qualifies us. In fact, he already has done it! Our loving, heavenly Father sent Jesus into our world to cover all of our shortcomings. Now, relying on his grace, we confidently carry the Gospel message wherever we go. And whatever work we do, Jesus gets the glory eternally! Lord God, hold your hands under my own as I share your love with others. Remind me to trust you in all things, especially... 10 11
for Those Who Make an Eternal Difference for Jesus Through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 From [Christ s] fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16 Just think! God has chosen you personally to believe, to belong, and to become more like Jesus! There is no higher honor! Can you name three people who were influential in shaping your willingness to serve others in Jesus name? How might you thank them? May your rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire... R. Palmer, 1830 12 13
Jesus Equips Me for Service Oh, Lord, how can I thank you for your invitation to serve your people, to make an eternal difference? It is such an overwhelming honor! Equip me for this service. Give me patience, energy, and a loving heart so that my humble acts of service will honor you. In Jesus name. Amen. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6