WE ARE ALL ONE INVITATION AWAY FROM LIFE CHANGE
Denise Linton
Today’s Scripture: “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24, ESV
Theme: You are invited to serve!
STUCK AND ALONE
When my son’s friend was no longer able to take him to Cove Students on Wednesday nights, I agreed to drive him and wait in the café. I had just started attending services at The Cove, but I was still very reluctant to be involved with church (or church people!) because of the hurt, anger and loneliness that had grown over the years since my husband passed away. I would sit quietly off in the corner reading and trying to avoid contact with anyone.
Every Wednesday night for five months, the student ministry guy (now our Lead Pastor, Will Kranz) would ask me to serve with students. And every Wednesday night I would say, “No, thank you” and end the conversation. One time, I even told him that I hated kids and that they hated me, hoping he would leave it alone. He kept asking and asking. He later even found out that my 25-year career was as a social worker, caring for battered, lost, and difficult kids in the community.
A SIMPLE REQUEST
During the Cove Student Christmas Extravaganza Service, Will approached me with a smile and said, “We really need help. All you have to do is serve ice cream and you don’t really even have to like kids to do that.” I gave in and that was the start to my serving at The Cove and of God giving back to me more than I could have imagined. Through serving, God began to remove my anger and hurt. He replaced it with peace, love, and generosity. Wednesday nights became my favorite night of the week, spending time with the students and letting people back into my life. God gave me the family I was so desperately seeking.
GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN
In Luke 6:38, Jesus tells us that if we give, it will be given back to us multiplied. There is more to giving than just money. There is giving of your time, your gifts, and your talents to help glorify God and touch people’s lives. This in turn will come back to you in full, “pressed down, shaken together” to make room for more.
Make It Personal: If you have been putting off an invitation to serve, now is the time to say yes. You will receive more in return than you could ever have imagined. If you are the person inviting someone to join you, don’t give up; keep inviting.
Pray: Lord, thank You for the opportunity to be a part of Your church. Help me offer up my time. Remind me to invite and include others. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Luke 6:38; Philippians 2:3-7
Weekly Memory Verse: “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42a, ESV