Weekday Devotionals

Excellence In Our Serve
By Rick McCotter

Verse:  James 2:17-18
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough.  Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless… I will show you my faith by my good deeds.

Thoughts:  Excellence in our Serve; one of Thrives Core Values.  Sounds spiritual, feels right, but, how am I really doing with my Serve?  How am I doing Serving others which is a direct way to Serve God.  Am I really serving at all?  Do I do anything for anyone other than myself and expect nothing in return and with no chance of recognition or affirmation?  Do I ever perform a random act of kindness or do I notice opportunities to help others in a small way?

I know, those are tough questions that really put us on the spot, right?  Well, you know what, its ok for us to be uncomfortable…it creates an opportunity for us to look at our self and our serve and get honest with God about this:  Lord, how am I doing serving you by serving others.  

Jesus told us multiple times to do two things with Excellence…Love God and Love People.  When we serve other people with Excellence (giving our best); we are loving God with our best and God delights in us because of our love for one another.

Application:

Ask God to show you what you need to do to Serve another with Excellence.
Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to show you the opportunities.
When the opportunity to serve presents itself, act immediately.
It will usually be just small insignificant things to you, but for the person receiving your good deed, it can be a big deal.
Never expect anything in return; no recognition or an accolade.  Just enjoy watching them be blessed.

- Rick