How to Serve God Out of Delight

In Romans 12:3 I read, “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” (NLT)

I need to listen to my heart. While that sounds like pop culture fodder, the Bible says that’s what God wants me to do. He wants me to look at what I’m made to do in order to know what he wants me to do. But most people these days are moving so fast that they don’t have time to listen to their heart anymore.

People all over the world are speeding along with no direction. They’re in such a hurry, stressed with too much to do, and they won’t realize until it’s too late that they didn’t have to do so much.

This isn’t the plan God has for me. He wants me to slow down and listen to my heart. Romans 12:3 says, “.. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves ..” (NLT).

I need to get alone with God and ask myself these questions:

What do I love to do?

What do I dream of doing?

What fascinates me?

What can I talk about, think about, and study all day without getting bored?

Where have I been most effective in my life?

I serve God out of my design and the way he shaped me. I serve God not out of duty, force, or guilt but because I love him. Because when I do what he wired me to do, it brings glory to him.

I need to make a careful exploration of who I am and the work I’ve been given, in other words, of what God put me on earth to do. Then serve God out of delight and gratitude. That’s the way to live.

In summary, I shouldn’t think I’m better than I really am. I need to be honest in my evaluation of myself, measuring myself by the faith God has given me.The Bible says to listen to my heart about what God wants me to do. He wants me to look at what I’m made to do in order to know what he wants me to do. I need to avoid speeding along with no direction, or being in such a hurry, stressed with too much to do, that I don’t realize until it’s too late that I didn’t need to do so much. This isn’t the plan God has for me. He wants me to slow down and listen to my heart. So I need to get alone with God and ask myself: What do I love to do? Dream of doing? What fascinates me? What can I talk about, think about, and study all day without getting bored? Where have I been most effective in my life? I serve God out of my design and the way he shaped me. I serve God not out of duty, force, or guilt but because I love him. Because when I do what he wired me to do, it brings glory to him. So I need to make a careful exploration of who I am and the work I’ve been given, Then serve God out of delight and gratitude. 

Healthy self-esteem is important because I often think too little of myself; on the other hand, I need to be careful to not overestimate myself. The key to an honest and accurate self-evaluation is knowing the basis of my own self-worth, which is my identity in Christ. Apart from him, I'm not capable of very much by eternal standards; in him, I am valuable and capable of worthy service. Evaluating myself by the worldly standards of success and achievement can cause me to think too much about my worth in the eyes of others and thus miss my true value in God's eyes.

Lord, I need you. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can believe in, have faith and to trust you in everything including being the authority for my life, my self-worth and my future. You have my best interests in mind. Help me to embrace the way you’ve made, gifted and given me a passion for. I want to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. I ask you for wisdom and guidance in this and for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my preparation for a future job role and for leading a small group. I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

In the Journey of Life, I Need Others

In review of Ephesians 4:16 it says, “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

Bottom Line:

The body depends on Christ, he joins and holds it together.  As each part does its own special work, it helps the body to grow and become healthy, and it becomes strong because of love.

What this means to me:

Christ will guide me to become a part of a body of believers. I can benefit and help benefit others by using the special gifts he has given me to serve and be a part. As I do, it helps the body to grow and become healthy.

There is a verse in Colossians 2:6-7 that says, “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him” (ESV). The Bible often compares life to a walk, because I shouldn’t just sit still in life. I’m on a journey! Throughout the New Testament I’m told to walk in wisdom, in love, in light, in obedience, and in the Spirit.

But one of the key ways that God tells me to walk is this: “I was never meant to walk through life alone. I was meant to be with others, in community.” Community in found within my spiritual family, the Body of Christ.

While I may like walking alone (because I can go at my own pace or need to wait for anyone), I need others to walk with me through life. Here are some reasons:

1. It’s safer. Walking through a dark alley at night or down a long road in the countryside by myself can be a little scary. It’s much safer to walk through life with others.

2. It’s supportive. Life is not a 50-yard dash; it’s a marathon! The only way I’m going to finish the race well and not burn out is by having other people involved in my life through meaningful relationships.

3. It’s smarter. I learn more by walking with others than I do by myself. Proverbs 28:26 says, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool.” In other words, if I’m the only one who thinks something and nobody agrees with me, I may be walking in the wrong direction. When I walk by yourself through life, I don’t have anybody to go, “We’re off the path. We’ve got to get back on the path and go in the right direction.”

Ephesians 4:16 says, “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (NLT, second edition).

I need to have other people in my life to help me grow into the person God made me to be. Life is about relationships. God is love, and he wants me to learn to love him and to love others. Those are the two greatest lessons in life.

In my own life, now that I have moved to a new part of the state I need to re-establish myself into a community. My wife and I have been checking out several different church communities over the past few months and believe we may have found one that we would like to start becoming more involved with. I have already started by getting together with a group from this community who is really serious about getting into and applying God’s word into their lives.

From my perspective and past experiences, I know for sure that it’s much safer to walk through life with others. Finishing well in this life will include having meaningful relationships with others who can I can share with and can speak into my life. I know that just being part of this group of guys has already helped me to learn more.

God Is Watching How I Use My Shape

In review of Psalm 33:14-15 it says, “From where he sits he overlooks all us earth-dwellers. He has shaped each person in turn; now he watches everything we do.”

Bottom Line:

From his vantage point he observes our lives, he has shaped each of us for a purpose. Now he watches what we do with it.

What this means to me:

God gazes down upon me from his heavenly home. He has uniquely constructed me. He is closely watching what I do with what he provided me with.

God has wired me in a unique way and given me certain talents, and he’s watching to see how I use them. A key thing to consider is if I’m going to use my spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experience for myself, or will I use them for God and his purposes? Will I live for myself, or will I be making a contribution around me using my shape?

Psalm 33:14-15 says, “From where he sits he overlooks all us earth-dwellers. He has shaped each person in turn; now he watches everything we do” (MSG).

Its sobering to think that God is watching every single moment of my life. There is no moment of my life when God is not paying attention. God never says, “I’m bored with you. That’s not important. Or I’m going to change the channel.” God actually says, “Before you were born, I had you in my mind. I have never missed one breath of your life.”

One day, when my life on Earth ends and I go into eternity, I’m going to stand before God, and I’m going to give an account of how well I used what he gave me; the opportunities, the networks, the relationships, the mind, the talent, my shape. He’ll ask how did I use what he gave me?

This is very serious! Isaiah 44:21 says, “Take it seriously, Israel, that you’re my servant. I made you, shaped you: You’re my servant.”

What I’m learning is that this life is preparation for eternity. It is a test! My shape and how I use it is important because, how faithful I am now with what God has given me, will determine how much more he’ll give me in eternity.

The Bible points out that my role and rewards in Heaven will be based on how well I did with what I was given in this life. If I am faithful and make the most of what God gave me, he’s going to give me more. But if I don’t use what God has given me, it will be a tragic loss and hard to explain.

Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much .…  If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12 NIV)

Today I will consider if I’m being a good steward of my shape. Are there areas I need to better utilize my shape?

I’m Shaped for a Life Mission

In review of Isaiah 43:21 it says, “I have formed these people for myself. They will praise me.”

Bottom Line:

God has formed us for himself so that we would sing his praises.

What this means to me:

I have been formed by God for his own purpose. I am to honor him by doing what he made me to do and to sing / displays his praises to those around me.

What I’m learning is that I am commissioned by God for a life mission and not just a task!

In Isaiah 49:5 it says, “And now the LORD speaks — the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me” (NLT)

My shape; which equates to my spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences all things God equips me for my life's mission and my life's message.

So what really is my life's mission? It’s my life’s work. It’s what God created me to do on this earth. The body of my life work is my life mission.

So what is really my life's message? It’s what God wants to say to the world through me. It’s unique. It’s my message from my life to the world.

Life’s message can not be given by someone else, because they are not me. Only I can determine my lifes message.  More importantly If I don’t give my life message to the world, it will never be heard.

When an artist accepts a commission, he makes a commitment to complete a certain task. Likewise, I have been commissioned by God to fulfill my mission and my message in the world. God has shaped me and given me the exact tools and traits that I need to complete my task, and when I use them to complete my mission, it will please Him.

In today’s passage from Isaiah 43:21, it says, “I have formed these people for myself. They will praise me” (GW).

How can I do that? How can I broadcast God’s praises with my life? By being who God made me to be.

When I use the gifts and abilities and personality and passion and experiences that God gave me that make me, me, that brings glory to God.

God has formed me with unique skills and abilities to do only what he can do through me.  In thinking through how God has shaped me thus far, I know I like leading small groups, teaching, passing on learning experiences, mentoring others and using my musical talent to help others worship. He has given me the ability to be a strong and trusted leader in the workplace. One who understands technology and can lead technology related efforts. Even more now, I’m learning a lot more about what it takes to lead individuals. These are all things that make me uniquely me.

Interestingly enough I’m sure there are things about my unique make up that I still don’t know. I likely have hidden talents that have not surfaced because I have not stretched myself.

So today I will consider how I’m using my shape in the workplace to do what God created me to do and say about him to the world around me.

The Work That Makes Me The Happiest Is for God’s Kingdom

In review of 1 Peter 4:10 it says, “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.”

Bottom Line:

God has given each of us some special abilities. We are to use them to serve others. In doing so we pass on God’s many blessings.

What this means to me:

God has given me special gifts that I am to use to serve others with. As I use them in service I’m partnering with God and passing on blessings to others.

In the long run, meaning will matter more than any amount of money. When I get to Heaven, I don’t believe that God is going to ask me, “How much money did you make?” Rather, He’s going to ask, “Did you make your life count? Did I express and use the talents that He gave me?”

This verse reminds me that, “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings” (1 Peter 4:10 TLB).

That means the best work for me is the work that will best express my talent. God has wired each of us to do something different. The reason we all like to do different things is so everything gets done.

Overall God made us so that our lives count. What I’m learning is that I’ll be happiest when I’m using the talents God gave me for something greater than my self.

The greatest cause in the world is the Kingdom of God. It is the Church. The whole reason the world exists is so God could build a family that one day will live with him forever. There is nothing more meaningful and purposeful than giving my life to the Kingdom of God.

When Jesus was 12 years old, he already knew what business he was in. Then, at the end of his life, he told the Father, “I have finished the work that you gave me to do.” Those are the bookends of a life well lived.

So I should consider what my business is? What is the work God has given me to do? And, how’s business? These are the fundamental questions I can ask about my life to make sure I’m on track.

Overall, It’s important for me to not waste my life. I can also just ask God to show me the work he wants me to do, and then use my gifts to make the rest of my life the best of my life.

Using My Gifts As an Act of Worship

In review of John 15:8 it says, “When you produce much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified.”

Bottom Line:

When you produce much fruit, God is honored and glorified.

What this means to me:

I show being a true disciple by producing much fruit. This in turn brings God the Father, honor and glory.

To be a true disciple and to bring God honor and glory, I need to be using the gifts that He has given me. When I do, it becomes an act of worship on my behalf.

What I’m learning is that God smiles and is extremely pleased when I use the gifts that he’s provided me with. It’s not necessary for me to do something spiritual in order to bring God glory.

Today's verse says, “When you produce much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified” (John 15:8a AMP). When I use my gifts correctly, God will get the glory.

I won’t be able to please God with gifts I don’t have and God doesn't expect me to be talented or gifted at everything. He just wants me to use what he’s given me.

In the Bible, the word “joy” and the word “gift’ actually come from the same Greek word. It’s the word for “grace.” When I use my spiritual gifts, it brings joy to God, and it brings joy to me. One of the best feelings in the world occur from using my gifts for God’s purpose.

In retrospect, I believe God has equipped to lead, provide guidance / direction and some musical abilities.  Everything I do should be with the purpose of bringing glory and honor to God.  I need to strive to continue to use what God has gifted me with to serve others.

Not Cheating Others of What God has Gifted Me to Do

In review of 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 it says, “There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.”

Bottom Line:

There are different spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways of serving, yet we serve the same Lord. The same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.

What this means to me:

While there are different spiritual gifts that are given, they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways in which we can serve, but we are serving the same God. God works in me and helps me in everything I do to accomplish His will.

Knowing about how I’m shaped, helps me to better understand what I should be and should be doing. Knowing and understanding this helps me to focus on and make better use of the life God has given me. This morning I’m reminded that the moment I accepted and put my faith in Christ, God gave me four major gifts:

The first is forgiveness. Romans 5:15 reminds me, “For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ” (NLT). The first thing Jesus did was wipe out everything I had ever done wrong. It’s forgiven! There is no further condemnation for me.

Next was eternal life. God has long-range plans for me. The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). There is never anything I can do to work or earn my way into Heaven. The only way is by God’s free gift that I accept by faith.

I’m also given the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 says, “God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” The evidence of letting God live through my life is when I embody the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Lastly is special abilities. These special abilities are called spiritual gifts, which makes them different from material or physical gifts. They are the abilities I need to get the job done that God wants me to do.

Today’s verse from 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says, “There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person” (GW).

God has a purpose for my life, and my spiritual gifts are the equipment he gives me to do what he is asking me to do. God will never ask me to do something he hasn't given me the ability to do. They were given to me the moment I accepted Christ. Now, I don’t get to choose my gifts, and I certainly don’t earn them.  Also, they are not here for my benefit. Rather my spiritual gifts are given to me to help others. And others in my church family are given their gifts to help me. Therefore if I don’t develop and use my spiritual gifts, then I end up cheating others.

Learning To Serve Based On My Design, Not Out Of Duty

In summary of Romans 12:3b it says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be honest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.

Bottom Line:

With humility, be honest in your estimate of yourselves.

What this means to me:

I should not think more highly of myself than I should.  I need to be humble.  I need to be honest in my assessment of myself.  I should do that all by the amount of faith God has given me.  I can get myself into trouble when I’m moving really fast.  When I do, I don’t have time to really listen to the heart God has given me.  He wants me to look at what I’m made to do, and then I’ll know what he wants of me. But in order to know this, I need to slow down.  I need to stop speeding without direction.  Part of Romans 12:3 says, “Be honest in your estimate of yourselves” (NLT).  I need to spend alone time with God and ask, “What do I love to do? What do I dream of doing? What fascinates me? What can I talk about, think about, and study all day and not get bored? Where have I been most effective in my life?”  I need to serve God out of my design and the way he shaped me. I serve God not out of duty but because I love him. When I do what he wired me to do, it will bring glory to him.  I should strive to serve him out of delight and gratitude. I’ll need to make time to do a careful exploration of who I am and the work I’ve been given.  In summary, be humble and slow down.  Evaluate my passions and gifting.  Serve from these.