Weekday Devotionals - Steve
Relationships and Service 06/09/2024
VERSE – Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do
flows from it.”
THOUGHTS:
Our first core value discussed on Sunday was, “We value healthy relationships.”
Therefore, we are introspective. Pastor Pete gave us three points to aid us in building
healthy relationships. First, recognize that “I” could be at the root of the conflict, so pray
for God to change me. Second, have tough conversations in person. Last, seek
feedback.
As Pastor Pete said, healthy relationships are not with people only, but also with God. As
we seek to strengthen our relationships, maybe we need to start with our relationship
with God. How can we have strong healthy relationships with others if our relationship
with God is weak and unhealthy. I see all three of Pastor Pete’s points for aiding us, in
Psalm 139: 23&24. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my
anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the
path of everlasting life.”
Change me – Lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Tough conversations – Search me, test me.
Feedback – Point out anything in me that offends you.
Our next core value discussed was, “We value excellence in service.” Therefore, I give
my best, we give more than is asked for or expected, and we do for Jesus and others. I
like what Pastor Pete says about how valuing excellence is not about a perfectionistic
action. My thoughts are, if you are focusing on perfection in your serve, I hate to break
it to you, but one day you are going to fall short. What happens after that? As a fellow
perfectionist, you are going to beat yourself up and call yourself a failure. Remember,
our perfection comes through Jesus. Pastor Pete stated that instead, work at doing your
best behavior until it becomes your normal behavior.
I searched the internet for ways that Christians can serve. Here are a few of them.
1.Pray for each other (Ephesians 6:18) “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with
all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on
praying for all the Lord’s people.”
2.Share and give to those in need (Hebrews 13:16) “And do not forget to do good
and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
3.Give encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11) “Therefore encourage one another
and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
4.Work with intention and joy (Philippians 2:14-15) “Do everything without
grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of
God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among
them like stars in the sky.”
5.Spread God's Word (Psalm 96:3) “Declare his glory among the nations, his
marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
Outside of Jesus’ life, I think about the Good Samaritan when it comes to serving
someone. In his service to another, there is an emphasis on compassion. It speaks of
the importance of caring for others, highlighting acts of extreme hospitality, selfless
giving, and transformative kindness.
I liked the phrase “transformative kindness.” It is defined as an act of gratitude, a feeling
of compassion, and an extension of oneself. Practicing kindness elicits powerful
experiences for the giver and receiver – both positive health benefits as a result.
Wow, serving others can “elicit powerful experiences for the giver (you) and the
receiver.” Health benefits, double wow!
CHALLENGE:
First, I found 3 versions of Proverbs 4:23 that I thought tied in well with the message I
received. I began my devotion with the (NIV) version. Here are two other versions.
(NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
(The Voice) Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a
sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life.
Read over these three versions while thinking about our two core values from Sunday.
Lastly, as Christians we strive to be more “Christlike”. Christlike service is defined as a
service given sincerely to someone who is in need, and for which we expect no reward.
Serve day is July 13th, think about how you can use this day to make your best behavior
become your normal behavior.
May God Bless You All!
Steve G.
VERSE – Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do
flows from it.”
THOUGHTS:
Our first core value discussed on Sunday was, “We value healthy relationships.”
Therefore, we are introspective. Pastor Pete gave us three points to aid us in building
healthy relationships. First, recognize that “I” could be at the root of the conflict, so pray
for God to change me. Second, have tough conversations in person. Last, seek
feedback.
As Pastor Pete said, healthy relationships are not with people only, but also with God. As
we seek to strengthen our relationships, maybe we need to start with our relationship
with God. How can we have strong healthy relationships with others if our relationship
with God is weak and unhealthy. I see all three of Pastor Pete’s points for aiding us, in
Psalm 139: 23&24. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my
anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the
path of everlasting life.”
Change me – Lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Tough conversations – Search me, test me.
Feedback – Point out anything in me that offends you.
Our next core value discussed was, “We value excellence in service.” Therefore, I give
my best, we give more than is asked for or expected, and we do for Jesus and others. I
like what Pastor Pete says about how valuing excellence is not about a perfectionistic
action. My thoughts are, if you are focusing on perfection in your serve, I hate to break
it to you, but one day you are going to fall short. What happens after that? As a fellow
perfectionist, you are going to beat yourself up and call yourself a failure. Remember,
our perfection comes through Jesus. Pastor Pete stated that instead, work at doing your
best behavior until it becomes your normal behavior.
I searched the internet for ways that Christians can serve. Here are a few of them.
1.Pray for each other (Ephesians 6:18) “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with
all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on
praying for all the Lord’s people.”
2.Share and give to those in need (Hebrews 13:16) “And do not forget to do good
and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
3.Give encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11) “Therefore encourage one another
and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
4.Work with intention and joy (Philippians 2:14-15) “Do everything without
grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of
God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among
them like stars in the sky.”
5.Spread God's Word (Psalm 96:3) “Declare his glory among the nations, his
marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
Outside of Jesus’ life, I think about the Good Samaritan when it comes to serving
someone. In his service to another, there is an emphasis on compassion. It speaks of
the importance of caring for others, highlighting acts of extreme hospitality, selfless
giving, and transformative kindness.
I liked the phrase “transformative kindness.” It is defined as an act of gratitude, a feeling
of compassion, and an extension of oneself. Practicing kindness elicits powerful
experiences for the giver and receiver – both positive health benefits as a result.
Wow, serving others can “elicit powerful experiences for the giver (you) and the
receiver.” Health benefits, double wow!
CHALLENGE:
First, I found 3 versions of Proverbs 4:23 that I thought tied in well with the message I
received. I began my devotion with the (NIV) version. Here are two other versions.
(NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
(The Voice) Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a
sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life.
Read over these three versions while thinking about our two core values from Sunday.
Lastly, as Christians we strive to be more “Christlike”. Christlike service is defined as a
service given sincerely to someone who is in need, and for which we expect no reward.
Serve day is July 13th, think about how you can use this day to make your best behavior
become your normal behavior.
May God Bless You All!
Steve G.
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