SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: February, Year 2Sample

Top Takeaway from Caren Fehr:

“God is not served by human hands, as though he needed anything, for he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything.” Acts 17:25

In Acts 17-18, we see the power of the Holy Spirit leading and working through Paul and several other disciples to make The Way (Jesus) known. All that is being done for God through the disciples is because God is enabling them to do it.

Then comes this verse in Acts 17, reminding us that God is belittled when we serve Him as though He needed anything or as a way for Him to be paid back for His grace.

Sometimes, we need a sharp reminder of who God really is and His position -- as well as a reminder of who we are and our position.

As swHw women, we want to glorify God and honor grace, right? Then we must never forget that we are always the receiver. God is the benefactor. We are the beneficiary.

If we aren't careful, we can reverse these roles. For example, we might say things like, "God has given so much to me so I need to give Him more to meet His needs." Or we say, "God has been so gracious to me, how can I perform and do better to pay Him back for His grace?"

We never really think about having these thoughts, but we can have them, and they start to become hidden motives for our actions.

We must never forget that God is the Carrier, Sustainer, Bearer, and Savior.

So, how can we best serve Him?

“Let him who serves serve in the strength that God supplies, that in everything God may get the glory.” 1 Peter 4:11

The best way we can serve God is to serve in a way where He is always seen and glorified as the Giver. Let's serve by receiving.

Receiving His love. Receiving His power. Receiving His patience. Receiving His grace. Receiving His peace. Receiving His strength.

When we do this, we can boldly point the world back to Him as the Giver and two things happen:

He gets the glory.

We get the joy.

The joy of what? The joy of delighting in Him and making Him known.

Paul got this right. Let's aim to get this right, too!

Father, all I am and all I have is because of You. May my life be a daily declaration and testimony of Your faithfulness, Your provision, Your power, and Your goodness. Help me serve You by using all of my mind, my heart, and my strength to be in a position where I can delight in You and glorify Your name. You don't need me, but You choose to partner with me. May I never forget that You are the Giver, and I am the receiver. I love You! Amen.