Justin's Devotions
Devo #1
Devo #1
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
[10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
We observe from this verse in 1 Peter that God has designed us specifically and uniquely so that we may go out into the world and each make our own unique impact on Gods kingdom. It says we need to use these gifts that were given to us to serve others. We need to use our gifts the right way and not take advantage of them to please ourselves or others in this temporary, self fulfilling world. We need to be faithful and use these gifts to glorify the Lord and build others up.
This verse is applicable to me especially this week as the main idea of this trip is to SERVE. Looking over my spiritual gifts test, I need to recognize my strengths, weaknesses, and my design in which God has made me to be. That way I can begin to more effectively develop these gifts and strengthen my strengths so that I can make my own unique impact on Gods kingdom.
Please help us all to develop our hearts for serving others and help us to all be disciplined this week as we begin this experience together. Let us draw closer to each other and through this time let us draw closer to you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Philippians 2:12-13 NIV
[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed---not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence---continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
These two verses are talking about serving the Lord because he made the ultimate sacrifice for us. We owe it to him to do our bests to glorify his name and this trip is the perfect opportunity to do so. We must be open to let Jesus enter our hearts and be willing to sacrifice the pleasures of this world in order to fulfill his good purpose. We shouldn't be prideful or arrogant, but we need to have the fear of the lord that will keep us humbled, grateful, and inspired to serve.
I can apply this to my life by just serving the lord with a mindset that this is not for me, but this is for you, God. Through all the fatigue and aches and pains, we need to push through because Jesus went through so much more in order for us to get to where we are today.
Devo #3
Philippians 3:8NIV
[8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
Paul says As we become closer and closer to Jesus, we must realize that we must become less in order for him to become greater. This happens when we begin to cultivate our relationships with the Lord on a deeper, personal level, which is much more than just knowing who Jesus is. Jesus must be put on the forefront of our minds, and in this way we can "gain Christ" and grow in our relationships with him.
This is applicable to this trip. As we serve everyday, we get a taste of what it's like to give away and lose things for the Lord. We've given up our vacation, time, bed, shower, good food, etc in order to serve. But we are still no where close to the level of ultimate sacrifice that we need to be in order to fully "gain Christ." This verse also speaks to me because we are giving out these HE>i wristbands that represent the verse John 3:30. It says that we must DECREASE, in order for Him to INCREASE. Jesus help me with this and help me to consistently have you on the forefront of my mind in everything I do!
