Theme

As we pray this week, we are persevering in our service by praying for strength to serve

Scriptures

Jeremiah 9:23-24: This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength    or the rich boast of their riches,but let the one who boasts boast about this:    that they have the understanding to know me,that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,    for in these I delight,”declares the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Notice

Our strength comes from God, not our own will or muscles.  It sounds so obvious, but most of us forget this on a daily basis.  Our strength comes from God!! Not us!! Which is a good thing, because our muscles and brain power can deteriorate, but the Holy Spirit is constantly renewing us from the inside - thank you, Lord!

Pray

Lord, help me remember that you are there and working in me, and that nothing I do is of my own strength, but of yours.  Forgive me for the times I have operated out of my own strength or trusted in my own strength.  Forgive me for the times I have boasted of my own strength or competence, when I wouldn't have either if not for You.  Please grant me your strength and fill me with humility, because all praise is for You.  Help me to focus on You and what is eternal so that the struggles of life do not weigh me down.  Amen.

Practice

In combination with the theme from last week, we issue a challenge this week: look for a place to serve that you don't think would be a good fit and try it out.  Trust that God will get you through it through His strength, and then ask Him for guidance on if you should continue there or not.  You may be surprised!  We wouldn't have our teaching pastor if he hadn't trusted God's leading (through a loving encouragement) to serve where he didn't think he would fit in a million years, so you never know where God is leading you.