Thursday, October 19th
Devotional written by Rrachel Fitzpatrick, Local Outreach Director
SERVING CAN BE SO FUN!
To read today:
So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:12
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Did you know the word enthusiasm is derived from two little Greek words, “en” and “Theos,” with “Theos” being the Greek word for God? So “enthusiasm” literally means “full of God.” Maybe that’s why enthusiastic people are often so joyful!
The Bible uses several words for this idea of being filled with enthusiasm: ardor, zeal, whole-heartedness, and “eager.” When you are eager, you are enthusiastic about your service to God and others. This idea is taught repeatedly in the New Testament. At the end of 1 Peter 5:2, we are told, “Be eager to serve,” and in 1 Corinthians 14:12, “So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.”
Our family of five would often serve together during Christmas at an assisted living home. We would choose a few songs and sing to the men and women in the home. There was a time when our eight-year-old would accompany us, eagerly and enthusiastically, by banging away on the piano keys with only a year of lessons under his belt. You can imagine how that sounded. He was “enthusiastically eager” to play when most pianists or piano teachers might say he wasn’t ready. But it was more about spending time together and letting others know they were loved. I can tell you the blessing of serving was what our family received.
In line with one of Calvary’s Core Values, Saved People Serve People, let’s be a church that exemplifies what the author of Hebrews says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Calvary offers so many opportunities to serve others. Check out our website for opportunities to serve with children, special abilities ministry, ushering, online hosting, special events, OutREACH, and many more. When I think of all the ways we can step into helping others, I’m proud that our church offers a variety of opportunities.
Final thought: You may not be “enthusiastically eager” or believe you are well equipped to serve others, but God can use you.
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