No one will “earn” his or her way to heaven by “being good,” “doing good things,” “serving others,” or “being famous as a philanthropist, leader, or paragon of virtue.” Only by belief in Jesus as personal Savior is God’s way. Scripture supports this, and no amount of prosperity gospel preaching or thoughts of “cheap grace,” saying it once and then living as if this mortal earth’s pleasures are fine, is supported in the Bible. That being said, why do people serve God and others? Because they are grateful for the privilege of living as Christ did, caring for the poor, healing the sick, and denying self, serve and care for and about others. It is a gratitude response.
MY PSALM 328 SERVING
Heavenly Father, Precious Lord, Loving Savior
I offer myself to You as Your servant.
I know You have prepared me
From the beginning of the world
To live in this very time and place
To accomplish Your will
To further Your Kingdom
For I have answered the call
To serve You and live my life for Your Glory.
Keep me strong in Your Word,
Open my ears to Your teaching,
Continue to disciple me and teach me Your ways.
Bless me with encouraging members
Of Your cloud of witnesses,
Those who counsel, who sharpen me as steel
Sharpens steel,
Who admonish
Who share the burdens to keep my yoke light.
Strengthen me in my prayer life,
For the battle may be hard and long.
Give me insight to help those who struggle,
Provide me bodily strength to accomplish Your tasks
And wisdom to make the choices
According to Your guidance and will.
Use me, as Esther, for such a time as this.
Provide opportunities to serve You
And the power and resources to accomplish
What it is that You plan for me to do.
Use me as a light to this world,
For I know and love Jesus
Whom You sent at The Light
To change this world’s darkness
To the Light of Your Glory.
But most of all,
Help me to not work in the flesh
To satisfy my needs,
As if I run ahead of You
And seek only my self-interest.
Keep my motives pure,
For I serve You only because You have loved me,
And I strive only to bring You glory.
Humble me when pride lurks,
Teach me where I lack understanding,
Grant me unrest until I rest only in You.
Give me patience when at first I can’t see progress,
Allow me to fail when You need to teach me,
Show me Your mercy when I fall
Or strive only in my power
Rather than Your direction.
Send me where You want to use me.
Provide the Godincidence encounters
And make clear Your directions
For I long to serve You and Your people
To Your honor and glory.
In Jesus’ Name and for His sake and the Kingdom’s.
Amen.
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