Week Three: Day Five
The Story
One of the best things that Matt and Anna began to do as a couple was serving together in the youth ministry at Hope Community Church. They hadn’t planned to serve, but one Sunday, as they were sitting together waiting for the service to begin, they were approached by the youth pastor. He went by Pastor Bo, although his real name was Bonaparte. He convinced them quickly that they would enjoy serving in Hope’s middle school program on Wednesday nights. The commitment would be for a year.
After only a few Wednesdays of serving with the youth, both Matt and Anna realized that God was building their character and feeding them as much as they were feeding the students. During week two, one student came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior during their small group. The third week the couple observed a worship night that was lead primarily by high school students. They could not stop speaking about it.
During week five, Anna met Kate. She learned of Kate’s parents’ looming divorce. Kate had found a friend in Anna and began to open up to her. Kate had been fighting often with her mother and she felt like she was the reason that her parents were divorcing. Anna’s heart broke for Kate and was immediately taken back to her own parents’ divorce. She decided in her heart to pray daily for Kate.
During week six, Anna had an opportunity to share with Kate some of her own story. She told her how Pastor Jordan had walked her through forgiveness and the importance of knowing who she was in Christ. Most importantly, she told her that her parents’ divorce, while terribly sad, was not her fault in the least. After they prayed together, they hugged and Anna felt like Kate was in a much better place to walk through this difficult season than she had been. Anna thanked Jesus for the opportunity to use her newly-forming faith.
The Devotion
Nehemiah 10:39
“We will not neglect the house of our God.”
Nehemiah, many leaders, and the prophet Ezra sealed a binding agreement as a nation that ended by declaring they would not neglect the house of their God. You see, generations had come and gone who not only had neglected the house of God, but had nearly forgotten God altogether. Thus, the Babylonian captivity happened.
A new resolve came into being and the book of the law was put back on their shelves. More importantly, it was placed back in their hearts. The landscape was changed because people were awakened to the promises of God. They accepted them for themselves again, like their father Abraham had before.
So many of you today are not neglecting the house of our God. Thank you for serving in your church. You may be directing traffic as part of the parking team, rocking babies in the nursery, singing on the worship team or even the pastor. Thank you!
The church is at its best when we all work together. We are like a veteran basketball team when that happens. One of you is point guard making an incredible behind-the-back-pass to one of you who is the center. You slam the ball and the crowd goes wild…
Thank you for not neglecting the house of God this Sunday! You matter to God and you matter in your church. Pray up and get out there! If you do not serve in your church, now is the time. You don’t have to pray about it. Serving God is a one of the greatest privileges we have in this life.
The Bible
Nehemiah 10 | Joshua 24 | John 13
The Prayer
“Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You that You have given me an opportunity in this life to serve You. It is truly my privilege and may I never forget it. Please give me a heart to see Your people as You do. May my heart break as Yours does when someone is in need. Give me wisdom, energy, and the best ideas in how to love Your people well. When I serve You, please let my character be transformed more into Your likeness as well. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name, amen.”
