Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 7: Our Ministries

I'm still playing catch-up. But I'm getting there. This is the reading for Thursday, 3/13. It comes from Romans 12:3-13. 

Transformed relationships

Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.

Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.

S: Romans 12:13 
Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.

O:  There are many ways we can contribute to the needs of God's people. It's not just by putting money in the collection plate every Sunday. We can volunteer at our church, at the local homeless shelter. Maybe visit shut-ins or a nursing home. Help a parent out. It can even be as small as taking a friend out for coffee and giving them some encouragement. 

Welcoming strangers into our home?! HHmmm.... ok, so I wouldn't go so far as to pick up some straggler and inviting them to your home. BUT, maybe there's an exchange student looking for a family to stay with. Or a visiting college student(s) who need a place to stay for a night or two. (Our church recently hosted a college choral group for Christmas and we were asked if we had room for one or two to spend the night or could we give them a ride.) 

There are opportunities all around you. You just have to look. Or ask. Or volunteer. Someone always is looking for someone to help. And think of how good it will make you feel. Always remember, do what you do for the glory of Jesus! 

A: I usually shy away from things like that because frankly, I'm just not good around people, but usually those I don't know. And I look around my apartment and see what a mess it is. I think how I don't want anybody in my house. I work all week. I don't have time to clean. I am terrible at making conversation. 

I need to get over things like that. I need to let God guide me in what I need to do. I need to stop listening to that little voice that tells me I can't. If God wills it, then I need to do it.

P: Lord Jesus, I need to stop looking at the negatives and start looking for ways that please You. I need to be still and listen to what it is You want me to do. Everything I do will be for Your glory. If You send me to help others, then I need to do it instead of thinking I can't. I ask for the courage to do this. In Your Blessed Name I ask this. Amen.