Spiritual Growth / Service

  • Investing God’s Gift

    Matthew 25:14–30

    John Calvin says, “There will be no excuse of the indolence of those who both conceal the gifts of God, and waste their time in idleness.” Far too many professing Christians are content to sit around and not use their ...Read More

  • Leading by Example

    Ephesians 6:9

    President Dwight D. Eisenhower once observed that “leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” Good leaders do not lead by maintaining uncertain, ever-changing standards or by demeaning ...Read More

  • Lifting Up the Rod

    Exodus 17:8–16

    Do you ever pray for someone in ministry? It could be any ministry from a pastor, to a missionary, to a husband and wife ministering to their children, to a Sunday School teacher. If you do not already do this ...Read More

  • Lights to the World

    Philippians 2:14–15

    Since we are already lights to the world in Christ Jesus, we can, by His Spirit, show forth the glory and goodness of God in line with the Father’s plan. We will fail from time to time and need ...Read More

  • Meeting Paul’s Need

    Philippians 4:10–12

    God gives us friends in the church to help build us up and so that we might support one another in all our needs. Of course, only Christ fulfills all our needs in an ultimate sense, but He does work ...Read More

  • Mobilizing the Laity

    Numbers 11:1–30

    One of the many burdens that church leaders face is the difficulty of recruiting volunteers in the church. Sometimes it can be like pulling teeth to get people to sign up to do the work of ministry. Take some time ...Read More

  • No Favored Parties

    Colossians 3:25

    We can be tempted to make excuses for our behavior based on our backgrounds or conditions in which we find ourselves. But we must always remember that the Lord requires righteousness from us no matter our condition, and we must ...Read More

  • Not the Gift but the Fruit

    Philippians 4:14–17

    Paul’s desire to have the Philippians get a blessing by giving to his work is an illustration of what we should think when faithful churches and ministries ask for our support. When our local churches, gospel-preaching ministries, faithful Christian ...Read More

  • Paul’s Commendation of Timothy

    Philippians 2:19–20

    Paul’s sending of Timothy illustrates his great love for his congregation and is an example that Christian leaders will especially want to follow. It is good to appoint and send others on one’s behalf to help those under ...Read More

  • Paul’s Gratitude for the Philippians

    Philippians 1:3–5

    God does not save us to be lone ranger Christians, but He expects us to partner with other believers in order to send forth the gospel. There are a multitude of ways in which we can support our churches, parachurch ...Read More

  • Paul’s Love for His Audience

    Philippians 2:17–18

    Our love for those who minister to us should be part of what motivates our obedience to the Lord. As we grow in holiness, we help to show our pastors, Sunday school teachers, and other church leaders that their labor ...Read More

  • Paul’s Love for the Philippians

    Philippians 1:7–8

    In many ways, it is easier to pray or to give to various churches and ministries instead of doing both. How often do we pray for other believers and gospel defenders without responding to their need for financial support? How ...Read More

  • Paul’s Stewardship

    Ephesians 3:2

    Greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by how many people serve us but in how we serve others. Yet using our gifts to benefit others is not always easy, and we need divine grace to sustain us ...Read More

  • Paying the Cost

    Philemon 19-20

    In Philippians 2, Paul calls us to follow the example of Christ and put others ahead of ourselves. We seldom consider how our decisions and behavior will be regarded in the community of believers, but this should not be. Instead ...Read More

  • Perpetual Gratitude

    Ephesians 5:20-21

    Servanthood is the path to greatness, not the position we hold or the degree of authority that we have been given (Matt. 23:11). Even those who are in authority over people — including husbands, executives, and parents — must submit to ...Read More