“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”
10I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. 11So I rebuked the officials and asked them, “Why is the house of God neglected?” Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.
ACTS 4:23-37
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
JOURNAL
What an amazing vision of community. I am reminded again this morning that it is not what we get but what we give. Surrendering to God and trusting him first starts with humility and gratitude. You simply cannot be a servant unless you are truly grateful for the life you have today, here in this moment. But then you must turn outward and be willing to share and give what you have.
I am so blessed, I have been given so much...health, family, friends, community, a free nation. I am living the dream that so many throughout history fought and died to achieve. It is such an amazing blessing and yet so often I forget and let silly worries rob me of a grateful heart. I get caught up in the current challenges of the news or social media. In the parable of the talents I have been closer to the one who buried his talent rather than the one who multiplied it.
Actions don't earn salvation but rather they are evidence of it. Just as fruit is evidence of a healthy tree, so are loving actions and gratitude evidence of a redeemed heart. Today I am to produce the fruit of love and service. I don't need to worry with tomorrow or next week or next year...today and today is more than enough.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
I am so blessed, I have been given so much...health, family, friends, community, a free nation. I am living the dream that so many throughout history fought and died to achieve. It is such an amazing blessing and yet so often I forget and let silly worries rob me of a grateful heart. I get caught up in the current challenges of the news or social media. In the parable of the talents I have been closer to the one who buried his talent rather than the one who multiplied it.
Actions don't earn salvation but rather they are evidence of it. Just as fruit is evidence of a healthy tree, so are loving actions and gratitude evidence of a redeemed heart. Today I am to produce the fruit of love and service. I don't need to worry with tomorrow or next week or next year...today and today is more than enough.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
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