Wednesday, October 02, 2013

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

A Helping Hand: The Gift of Serving
Romans 12:7a
If it is serving, let him serve...

So how do we know what individual gifts the Lord has given us? It's simple, when you see a need what is your first response? In my wife Sherry's case, it is to serve. If someone has just come home from the hospital and needs a meal prepared for their family, Sherry is one of those who offers. If an elderly person needs assistance, she is there with a helping hand. Sherry always has an eye attuned to the needs of others.
Serving ministries are critical functions within the body of Christ. Think of Dorcas from Acts 9:36-41: "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, 'Please come at once!' Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, 'Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive."
The church was thrown into upheaval because of Dorcas' death. Why? Because she was a minister in the truest sense of the word -- she served. While others, such as Peter, were ministering by declaring the truth of the Gospel, Dorcas demonstrated and modeled this same truth by sewing robes and garments for others. Her ministry of serving was no less critical.

In our previous devotion, we looked at prophecy as the way in which God uses His Holy Spirit through inspiration to declare His words of truth. Today we see how service depicts truth. Are you a servant? Have you been holding back when God's Holy Spirit urges you toward service? Next time, simply yield to His will. As you are a blessing, you too will be blessed.

POCKETPOWER.ORG

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