JOY: JESUS, OTHERS, YOUR SELF

As followers of Christ, we are called to serve the Lord with our lives. We all are capable of using our gifts in lots of different ways; whether it’s teaching Sunday school, leading on a worship team, or taking on the tasks of our everyday lives. As important as service is, I think many Christians put too much on their plate to accommodate their desire to serve, and they don’t put enough emphasis on their personal relationship with Jesus. We are called live our lives dedicated to HIM first, OTHERS second, and to put OURSELVES last. Do you do that in your life? Don’t be afraid to say no to new commitments when you already have too many. Intimacy with Jesus is crucial to have every day- and it is so easily ignored. I challenge you to have that mindset this week, and you will see fruit in your life as you experience this selflessness.

A great love is best shown by sacrifice. When was the last time you sacrificed something for your faith? When was the last time you chose to tell your coworker about Jesus, regardless of your fears of what they might think? When was the last time you gave money to a needy cause instead of buying those new shoes?

Malachi 3:10 says “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in!” God will bless you if you make sacrifices for Him. Sacrificing for Him makes much more sense than building up earthly things, knowing that at any moment He could take your life. Be aware of where your heart is this week: Remember to put intimacy with God first; service to others second; and your own conveniences last.

“Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21.