Love Takes Action!

Good Morning Ladies (and few gents),

Today’s devotion included below “Love Takes Action” is a reminder from GiG Mary that, “We were created to serve God and to worship Him – here on earth and for eternity. Worship and service cannot be separated. When we worship God, we will naturally serve Him and when we serve God, we are worshipping Him.” Amen!

GiG, some time ago I read sermon notes on the topic of servanthood by Dr. Charles Stanley that “tickled my ears.” Although we have several models of servanthood in the Bible, no one stands taller, sits stronger, or listens more longingly to God than David. Yes, in all his missteps and mess ups, David’s life was and still is a model of servanthood (2 Samuel 8:1-16).

David served God in many capacities—from simple shepherd boy to heroic ruler. Looking at the various stages of his life, we can see clearly how his godly devotion allowed the Lord to use him mightily. From shepherding he learned to be strong and brave, and to take care of creatures weaker than himself (1 Sam. 16:1-13); as a Psalmist, he is open about issues like fear, depression, defeat, loneliness, and sorrow; as commander, starting with his encounter with Bathsheba, his life was plagued by heartache, pain, suffering, and conflict.

David had sinned greatly, but God forgave him and continued to use him.

King David served God's purpose when he lived, and continues to do so hundreds of years later. He is a great example of what God can accomplish through us if we yield our life to Him GiG, we too from time-to-time will mess up, misstep, and move through life counterculture to what God would have us to do but that doesn’t mean HE won’t continue to use us. I often share with teens that have been disobedient to the ways of God that yes HE would prefer we take the direct route of obedience, but when we choose to take the scenic route, it doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t still use us. Yes, there are consequences for disobedience, but like David we can find forgiveness with a repentant heart attitude.

I’m sure that won’t happen to you, friends. I have better things in mind for you—salvation things! God doesn’t miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you’ve shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it. And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them. Hebrews 6:10 MSG

May we be encouraged to serve others in love, peace, and joy. Truth is, the most joyful people we probably know are the ones who serve God whenever and wherever they can because they’re not serving out of duty or have to, but out of love. Yup, we mustn’t get it twisted; don’t try to serve with the gifts we think we should have. We need to identify our gifts and abilities, and then use them to serve others.

God’s Got It…so we can HOPE—The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

DEA: Embracing a Work-Hard, Rest-Well Life and Loving My Priorities, Loving My Life