How can we ensure our service aligns with God's "word of the LORD"? Key Verse 1 Samuel 3:10: “Then the LORD came and stood there and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.’” Listening Before Doing • God initiates; servants respond. • A posture of attentive listening guards us from self-directed projects. • Every word of Scripture is fully true, reliable, and sufficient for guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Submitting Plans to the Word • Hold every idea up to biblical light (Psalm 119:105). • Let Scripture shape motives and methods, not culture or convenience. • Proverbs teaches: commit plans to the LORD, and they find firm footing (Proverbs 16:3). Obeying Promptly and Completely • 1 Samuel 15:22: “Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice.” • Partial obedience is disobedience; delayed obedience is disobedience. • James 1:22: hearing without doing deceives. Serving in Christ’s Strength • John 15:5: apart from Him we accomplish nothing of eternal worth. • Philippians 2:13: God works in His people to will and to act. • Dependence on the Spirit keeps service from becoming flesh-driven. Anchoring Daily in Scripture • Joshua 1:8: continual meditation fuels careful action. • Schedule unhurried time in the Word—before, during, and after ministry tasks. • Memorize key passages that speak directly to your area of service. Maintaining Pure Motives • Matthew 6:1 warns against performance for applause. • Colossians 3:23-24: work wholeheartedly “for the Lord and not for men.” • Private faithfulness guards against public hypocrisy. Continual Self-Evaluation • Psalm 139:23-24: invite the Lord to expose hidden motives. • Compare ongoing ministry practices with clear biblical commands. • Welcome godly counsel; mature believers help spot drift early (Proverbs 27:17). Summary Checklist for Aligned Service – Listen first, speak second. – Test every plan by explicit Scripture. – Obey fully, immediately, and joyfully. – Rely on Christ’s power, not personal skill. – Keep motives God-centered. – Re-calibrate regularly through Scripture and accountability. When service flows from a listening heart that treasures and obeys the revealed, inerrant word of the LORD, it will honor Him and bear lasting fruit. |
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