Fast, Pray, LoveSample

Pray to Volunteer to Serve

Read Hebrews 13:15-16.

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Meditate On it

1. What does the author encourage his readers to do? Make a short list of his instructions.

2. Based on the premise “Through Him,” how do we continually serve God?

• Read Hebrews 13:20-21: Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us thatwhich is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

3. What are examples of “doing good and sharing”?

• Read Hebrews 13:1-3: Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.
• Read 1 Peter 4:9-11: Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
• Read Matthew 25:34-40: “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

4. What is the main motivation in our sacrificial serving according to verse 16?

• Read Mark 10:45: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
• Read Ephesians 2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
• Read Titus 3:8: This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

Apply It

In a world where people desire to be served rather than serve, God’s people are called to serve Him and others voluntarily. The truth is, the grace of God alone saves us but also empowers us towards living a life of sacrifice, doing good, and serving whatever need there may be around us. Our third core value for fasting week is to volunteer, patterned after how Christ has served us, so we, in turn, must take the initiative to serve one another by using our talents, time, and treasure to spread God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

1. What can I specifically contribute to our family, church, community, or ministry? How can I best serve God with my resources and giftedness?
2. How is my heart whenever I am challenged to volunteer? Do I begrudgingly comply, or do I joyfully contribute?
3. In what way can I best express my love for God in the way that I serve others? By faith, I will start volunteering in …

• Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, Time-bound (SMART) commitments
• Example: “Rather than be on my mobile device or watch a series online, I will choose to volunteer my time and energy in serving ______.”

Pray It

• Ask the Lord for a personal breakthrough in ministry—especially where you seek God’s wisdom and counsel for your life; let the Holy Spirit guide you where He wants you to serve, with renewed strength and zeal to follow Jesus.
• Let us confess our unworthiness before the Lord. Let’s admit when we relied on our strength or wisdom rather than depending on God first and foremost.
• Take the time to cast your burdens unto the Lord: any discouragement, anxiety, guilt, regret, or fear that gets in the way of our relationship with God. Lift to Him our personal, relational, emotional/mental, financial, and vocational concerns.
• Pray for good health from the Lord to continue serving Him with vitality and joy. (Let us also resolve to do our part in eating properly, sleeping adequately, exercising regularly, and practicing soul care daily).
• Let God lead you to volunteer.