What steps can we take to serve God more faithfully each day? Fresh Turning: Renounce Every Idol Daily 1 Thessalonians 1:9 — “For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God.” • Start each morning by asking the Spirit to expose anything vying for first place in your heart—possessions, relationships, comfort, approval, entertainment. • Confess and reject those “idols”; choose God’s will instead (1 John 1:9). • Remember Exodus 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Keep that command front-and-center. Wholehearted Allegiance: Fix Your Eyes on the Living and True God • Meditate on who He is: living, not dead; true, not deceptive (Jeremiah 10:10). • Open Scripture before other media; let His voice set the day’s tone (Psalm 5:3). • Practice continual awareness of His presence (Psalm 16:8). Whisper praise or thanks whenever you notice a blessing or challenge. Active Service: Let Obedience Shape the Routine • Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies “as a living sacrifice.” Use ordinary tasks—work emails, dishes, homework—as offerings. • Ask before decisions: “Will this choice help me serve the living and true God?” (Colossians 3:17, 23). • Look for people to love tangibly: a note of encouragement, shared meal, quiet prayer for a coworker (Galatians 6:9-10). Persistent Expectation: Serve with Eyes on Christ’s Return • The next verse, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, reminds us to “wait for His Son from heaven.” Hope fuels faithfulness. • Keep eternity in view when fatigue hits (1 Corinthians 15:58). • Store treasures in heaven by investing time, talent, and treasure in gospel work (Matthew 6:19-21). Daily Checklist for Faithful Service - Turn: Identify and forsake any idol. - Trust: Reaffirm God’s living, truthful character. - Obey: Act on His Word in today’s tasks. - Hope: Remember Christ could return at any moment. Repeat tomorrow—faithfulness grows one obedient day at a time. |
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