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A motivational mandate
One of the most freeing yet forgotten truths of the Christian life is this: God only wants us to serve Him because we want to. He doesn't demand, or even accept when we do things for Him out of a sense of duty, obligation, fear, or guilt. None of those motivations matter with Him. He wants our service, but only if we serve Him with gladness.
That's a radical (and perhaps unwelcome) concept for many. A lot of people have sacrificed years of service that were done out of obligation and not out of desire. Untold amounts of money, time, and energy have been rendered in the service of the Lord...for the wrong reasons.
Their lives have been a succession of bitter offerings that don't bear any fruit. Over time, they get burnt out and their deeds never glorify God or draw others to Him. Why? Because the joy and gladness is absent. In fact, these people often drive people away from the Lord because they give off the vibe that anything to do with Him is a depressing drudgery. Who would want to follow a God whose servants are so miserable?
God wants us to serve Him because we want to and because we're glad to. It begs the obvious question: What's the motivation behind our service? Are we doing it because we want to score points with Heaven, to ease a guilty conscience, or to look better than the people around us? Or do we serve because our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for God's love and we want to love Him back by serving Him?
Merciful Master, forgive us if we've tried to serve you out of a sense of duty, fear, or guilt. Help us remember all that You've done for us, and may that be our motivation to serve You.
One of the most freeing yet forgotten truths of the Christian life is this: God only wants us to serve Him because we want to.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
One of the most freeing yet forgotten truths of the Christian life is this: God only wants us to serve Him because we want to. He doesn't demand, or even accept when we do things for Him out of a sense of duty, obligation, fear, or guilt. None of those motivations matter with Him. He wants our service, but only if we serve Him with gladness.
That's a radical (and perhaps unwelcome) concept for many. A lot of people have sacrificed years of service that were done out of obligation and not out of desire. Untold amounts of money, time, and energy have been rendered in the service of the Lord...for the wrong reasons.
Their lives have been a succession of bitter offerings that don't bear any fruit. Over time, they get burnt out and their deeds never glorify God or draw others to Him. Why? Because the joy and gladness is absent. In fact, these people often drive people away from the Lord because they give off the vibe that anything to do with Him is a depressing drudgery. Who would want to follow a God whose servants are so miserable?
God wants us to serve Him because we want to and because we're glad to. It begs the obvious question: What's the motivation behind our service? Are we doing it because we want to score points with Heaven, to ease a guilty conscience, or to look better than the people around us? Or do we serve because our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for God's love and we want to love Him back by serving Him?
Merciful Master, forgive us if we've tried to serve you out of a sense of duty, fear, or guilt. Help us remember all that You've done for us, and may that be our motivation to serve You.
One of the most freeing yet forgotten truths of the Christian life is this: God only wants us to serve Him because we want to.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
Scripture
About this Plan
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1985, has grown to be one of the largest churches in the country, and now has nine regional campuses in Florida in addition to the main campus in Fort Lauderdale. The church has established and now operates dozens of ministries to answer the needs for foster care, addiction recovery, and discipleship training. The church's mission is simply, "make disciples."
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We would like to thank Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale for providing this daily devotional. For more information about the church and other media resources it provides for personal discipleship, please visit www.calvaryftl.org
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