1 Peter 4 - 6.5.24

Scripture

1 Peter 4:8-11

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Observation

As we have ALL received God’s grace, an unearned gift, we are called to pass that same grace on to those around us. We are ALL called to serve.

Application

“It is an essential understanding to know that God’s grace not only flows to us but through us.”

God’s grace to us is an unearned gift. He doesn’t love us and forgive us because we deserve it. And likewise, we are called to serve others with grace.

At Desert Streams, Serving is for Everyone, is one of our core values. Sometimes, serving is different for each of us, based on our areas of giftedness. There are other types of serving that we should all be doing – praying for others, investing in others, modeling what following Jesus looks like, loving and supporting others, and meeting needs.

Serving benefits others. But it also challenges us and helps us grow and become more like Jesus. In fact, just in preparing this journal entry, I have been challenged TWO separate times to serve and show God’s grace in action!

Will we serve others with the same grace that Jesus shows us?

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for prodding me and teaching me and helping me to grow. I was feeling pretty comfortable in serving, but there is so much more that you want from me. Help me to always listen to your voice.   

- Debbie Dunn