Joy Challenge Video Devotional- Day 7: Pastor Kerry Shook
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“Serve the LORD with gladness….”
Psalm100:2a (NKJV)
The Psalmist said, “Serve the LORD with gladness….” Does this describe your attitude? Do you serve with gladness? If not, could it be that you’ve forgotten the one whom you are called to serve and you’ve lost your joy in serving? The Psalmist reminds us. “Serve the LORD…” The quickest way to restore your joy in serving others is to consider that the one you’re really serving is God. We best serve God by serving others.
Another way to restore our joy in serving is when we love with no strings attached! I’m more apt to serve with gladness when I’m serving the Lord and loving others as Christ loves me - unconditionally! Some translations change the word “serve” in Psalm 100:2 to “worship.” That tells me that my service is an act of worship! It’s a way to demonstrate my love for God! When I love with no strings attached, I can serve with gladness because my service is an act of worship!
Jesus said that those who serve would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God!
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.’” Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
Serving with gladness runs contrary to our nature and our culture. We want to be served. Yet, as counterintuitive as it seems, real joy comes in serving, not being served. We lose our joy when we interpret the word “service” as “serve-us!” Jesus’ own life and ministry are a living example to us. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 (NLT) I’m most like Jesus when I’m serving and, when I recognize that He is the one I’m serving, I can serve with gladness!
Make a radical break from our culture and look for ways to serve God by serving others this week. Step out of your comfort zone and stretch your faith into action. Love is something you do. Love is manifested when we serve with gladness. Your attitude will become contagious! It will determine the level of joy you have in serving! People around you will wonder what is motivating you. How can you serve someone today that will put God’s love on display and increase your joy?
Printed copies of The Joy Challenge devotional are available at The Joy Challenge - Kerry Shook Ministries.