Moments For You
Serving God
The Bible makes it clear that when a person is in a real relationship with God, they will serve God (see Luke 4:8). It’s always been God’s intention to make us like His Son, Jesus (Romans 8:29). When we look at Jesus’ life, there’s no denying that He was a... Read more →
It is Finished
“Jesus … said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). Both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus cried out in a loud voice just before dying. It’s possible that this is the content of that loud cry. This is not Jesus finally... Read more →
Real Greatness
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Matthew 20:17–28 is an interesting section that is tied together by one theme: Jesus Christ preparing to suffer and lay down His life at Jerusalem. This... Read more →
Paid In Full
Of the last sayings of Christ on the cross, none is more important or more poignant than, “It is finished.” Found only in the Gospel of John, the Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full.” When Jesus uttered those words, He... Read more →
Serving From Love
In Romans 7:1–6, the marriage relationship is used to illustrate the power of Jesus Christ to change the human heart. “A married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage … you also have... Read more →
Adding to a Masterpiece
Could you improve on a masterpiece? Imagine that you are walking through the Louvre museum in Paris. As you approach the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, would you think about taking a palette and brushes and touching up the painting? Maybe put some more color in her cheeks? Perhaps... Read more →
Be a Good Steward
Matthew 25:14-30 contains the parable of the talents. In this story, a man is about to go on a long journey to a faraway country. Before he leaves, he calls three of his servants and gives them each a certain number of “talents” (varying amounts of money). While the master... Read more →
Is God Finished With Me?
Someone reading this article—it may be you—has failed the Lord, and you think perhaps God is finished with you. In Joshua 7 we read that, coming off the incredible victory over Jericho, God’s people Israel met a stunning defeat against the small city of Ai, because there was sin in... Read more →
Motivated to Serve
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11). We started hiking with our children when they were very young. Of course when they’re toddlers, you have to carry them a lot. But as they grew older and got too heavy to carry, they... Read more →
God Will Finish It
“I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6). God always finishes what He starts. All who love Christ desire to be like Him in spiritual perfection and absolute holiness. We want to please Him in every respect.... Read more →
Serve? Why Me?
“We are looking for volunteers for the _______ ministry.” If you’ve been to church for more than three weeks you’ve likely encountered some sort of announcement asking for help from the church to serve. We understand why: churches have a number of ministries that require volunteers to coordinate service together.... Read more →
Finishing Well
How do you want to be remembered? What do you hope people will say about you after you are gone? How will the people who knew you best summarize 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 or 80 years of living? Here is Paul’s answer to that question. Writing from... Read more →
Picture Of A Disciple
On my first day of high school I was six feet tall. When I went to my physical education class the teacher, Mr. Koepp, approached me and introduced himself as the freshman basketball coach. He asked if I had ever played basketball and told me to try out for the... Read more →
Serving Outside the Church
Opportunities to serve Christ are not limited to what takes place among gatherings of Christians. God calls us to serve Him in many ways. As Colossians 3:17 teaches, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father... Read more →
God Is Watching
While we may sometimes fail to see any immediate results from serving the Lord, Malachi 3:16–18 is a remarkable passage that tells us God is watching and is documenting the faithful deeds of His children: “The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before... Read more →