Ps 35:27
…may they always say, “The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.

When we serve God is delighted. I don’t think it is the magnitude of what we do as much as it is we are just doing something. Christians are held back if they sit around and wait for God to tell them what to do in service. If you can’t think of anything start simple. Fill a cooler up with ice and bottled water and hand it out to people who are panhandling. Everybody can use some cool water. (Matthew 10:42)

Pray for incentive from God to get serving.

Psalm 8:6
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—

The created world is neither random nor meaningless. While some people might say they disagree with this, my hunch is they live as if it is true. They probably have checking accounts and insurance to say the least.
So, to care for the world takes a strategy that we humans live out in many different ways, from family to government and so on. Christians just happen to trust that God wants us to care for the world with love and justice. We are not called to worship nature nor exploit it. Who would have thought that the best, true, environmentalists could turn out to be normal followers of Jesus?

Where can you improve your own environmental sensitivity? Pray for guidance in this.

Nehemiah 5:15
15 The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.

When those in authority exploit their positions for their own pure gain, they are not serving, they are embezzling from God. God transforms criminals; he doesn’t assist them in their life of crime.

Pray for justice from those who have fiscal responsibility in our government.

1 Kings 3:9
9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

In order to serve God we need God. This is different from the way we usually do things. Normally to serve means to fulfill a need that someone has for service. With God there is no need. He wants us to serve so others will be blessed, not him. He wants us to grow while we serve. We are never able to serve others the way God would have us serve on our own. That’s why for those who are open to his power, God shows up.

Pray for God to show you a new area of service.

2 Sam 11:11
Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.”

God’s leaders are servants. Just like Jesus. They share the life of the community along with others on the team. They don’t separate themselves and have standards for the team they aren’t willing to follow themselves. Leaders don’t ask people to do what they aren’t willing to do.

Pray for ways to join with others in service.

2 Sam 7:8
8 “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel.’”

When we see God’s hand behind what we are already doing we are willing to stretch and accomplish way more than we thought possible. Don’t be surprised, however, when the willingness comes first. Many times when we come to that place in our faith journey when we have a willingness to risk, God showing up follows it. This is the way it works.

Where do you need to take more risks for the Lord?

1 Sam 25:41
41 She bowed low to the ground and responded, “I, your servant, would be happy to marry David. I would even be willing to become a slave, washing the feet of his servants!”

This doesn’t sound like much of an acceptance of a marriage proposal! Marrying a king has some interesting connotations. However, to be mutually serving each other is a solid principle to live out in any marriage. When each spouse focuses on the other spouse’s strengths and encourages him or her to build on them.

Pray for two married couples you know to be strengthened.

1 Sam 22:14
14 “But sir,” Ahimelech replied, “is anyone among all your servants as faithful as David, your son-in-law? Why, he is the captain of your bodyguard and a highly honored member of your household!

Loyalty is absolutely essential when we serve God together. I have to trust you have my best interests at heart, and you have to trust the same about me. This doesn’t mean we will always agree. We will focus on a common key mission and encourage each other to build on our strengths that will help further that mission.

Who do you need to develop more trust with? Do.

1 Sam 18:5
5 Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.

When it comes to serving the Lord, faithfulness is essential. Follow through is critical. But what about success? Results are in the hands of God. We are not in charge of results.

However, lack of success can mean many things besides waiting for God’s timing. Maybe you don’t have a passion for that ministry. It isn’t what God intends for you to be doing in the first place. You need more equipping to be effective.

What is a key area you can work on this year?

1 Samuel 16:21-22
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

When we serve those who lead, we serve God. In David’s case, it means even serving a leader (Saul) who is less than admirable. We aren’t the ones to decide to only serve people we agree with. If our service leads to sin, we can choose not to, but we must be willing to suffer the consequences.

Pray for government officials you tend to disagree with.