JOY IN SERVING

ISAIAH 49:4 (MSG)

But I said, “I’ve worked for nothing.
     I’ve nothing to show for a life of hard work.
Nevertheless, I’ll let GOD have the last word.
     I’ll let him pronounce his verdict.”

1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 (MSG)
With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Commit all your time and energy into serving the LORD for nothing directed that way is ever wasted -- regardless of appearances.

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful for the purpose that you have brought into my life. Yet, I feel frustrated when I don't see expected results. I allow myself to wallow in discouragement. Forgive me for focusing more on the desired outcomes than on the joy of serving you. Free me from unrealistic expectations that do nothing more than boost my ego. I'm going to find joy in simple faithfulness. Amen.

STAY TRUE

JOSHUA 24:22 (CEV)
Joshua said, “You have heard yourselves say that you will worship and obey the Lord. Isn’t that true?”

“Yes, it’s true,” they answered.

COLOSSIANS 2:18 (ABP)
Don’t let anyone steal the fruit of your faith.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stay true to your allegiance to the LORD to experience the reward.

PRAYER
God, I am your witness. You have done amazing works in my life, and yet I can easily be discouraged and question my purpose. Block the enemy from distracting me and losing my sense of identity in you. Fortify me with encouragement and inspiration to claim my place in your kingdom. Use my witness to give strength to others. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

LIGHT

EZEKIEL 18:23 (MSG)
Do you think I take any pleasure in the death of wicked men and women? Isn’t it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right—really living?

JOHN 12:46 (MSG)
Jesus: I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God sincerely desires that all -- even the worst of people -- will turn and live in the light he provides.

PRAYER
Gracious God, your gifts are many and great. Thank you especially for the light that comes into the world through Christ Jesus. What a gift! Forgive me for all the times that I'm willing to put up with moments of darkness in my own life. I'm so tolerant of darkness. It doesn't make sense, especially considering the power of the light. Help me to live today in that light and reflect it into the darkness that's all around -- even in simple ways. I'm going to glow. Amen.

THE PRESENCE OF GOD'S SPIRIT

EZEKIEL 39:29 (CEV)
Never again will I turn my back on the people of Israel, and my Spirit will live in them. I, the Lord, have spoken.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-7 (CEB)
There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
When God's Spirit lives in us amazing things happen.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for sending your Holy Spirit to live in and among us. You have given us everything we need to live well together. Forgive me for all the times that I am inhospitable to the presence of the Spirit. I end up missing out. Change my heart so that I'm more fully tuned into what you are doing here and now -- so that I can live my life in such a way that I benefit the common good. Amen.