Saved People, Serve People...Without Grumbling

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 4:7-11

This passage is hitting me right between the eyes today.  Has the word of God ever done that to you?   I found myself having to do something that I don't want to be doing today, and I have a very bad attitude about it, all the while I can feel God whispering to me, “This is what serving me is all about.”  So taking a break, I looked at my devotion text assigned to me...  Wham! Right between the eyes!

Our passage today says, “love others deeply... Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling... If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

I think my problem is I don't see my everyday interactions with the people near me as opportunities to serve.  Serving others always seems to be something I plan for, but true service probably shows up in spontaneous, not planned for situations doesn't it.  That means my heart has to always be ready.  Ouch!

If you are like me and struggle with spontaneous service, it might help to remember a couple things.

1. Serving other starts with loving them.  See the person or people you are serving as ones needing love.
2. Remember how much you have been given and forgiven.  It’s always good to get a little perspective, remembering that God sees our needs and gives generously.
3. Ask God for help.  We are often put in situations beyond our ability, even our ability to love. Ask God to help give the strength and heart needed to serve.

So I am going to stop grumbling and rely on God’s strength so he can get the glory in Christ Jesus.

Oh, to be an upstart

Acts 4:1-4 (MSG) While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up,  indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus.  They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening.  But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!

Read the four verses above and try to determine which words God wants to speak to your heart this day. For me, the word upstart grabbed my attention. I looked it up and found one of the definitions was, a nobody. This is significant because I am now challenged to be an upstart as well.

Peter and John had just healed a man who had been crippled since birth; in the name of Jesus they healed him. They pointed to the great healer and called up His name. This act had a snowball effect on the crowd who was gathered. Those who witnessed this miracle stuck around to hear more about this man Jesus, whom they had killed.

I often ask myself what I could do to make the difference in someone's eternal life. More than likely Peter and John asked themselves the same question. But, then they would start talking it over with each other and remember the words of their mentor, Jesus, and courage and conviction would return.

How do I apply this to my life? How do I call upon Jesus to heal another's heart, to redeem their eternity? Have I been empowered to do the same thing as the apostles? It isn't magic, but prayer that changes lives. If I have faith, if I believe God is with me, I too can make a difference in this world...even an upstart like me.

Acts 4:1-4