Day 13 | Through Love, Serve One Another

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-11

Devotion

If we look at Jesus’ ministry, we’ll find Him engaging the spiritual and physical needs of the people He meets. A quick glance at our city would reveal countless needs to be met: housing and food insecurity, health services, disaster relief, child and elderly care, and more. When needs arise in the community, the legacy of God’s people throughout Scripture is to be first in line to serve their communities selflessly.

Have you noticed how often God uses His people to answer your prayers? Likewise, He wants to send you as the answer to the prayers of others. Galatians 5 says “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Our faith is not simply for our own sake, but also for the sake of others. Our church exists not only for the sake of its members, but also for the sake of our city. The gospel compels us to give of ourselves and our resources to meet the needs of our community.

When we serve others and meet their needs, we model our Savior’s heart to them: caring, compassionate, generous, and faithful. We don’t serve others because we ought to, but because He served us first. So, we engage needs joyfully out of obedience and out of gratitude for a God who would dare to serve us first. We serve because He is good enough to send us, His people, as His agents to give, to love, and to heal. It is our birthright and responsibility as men and women of God, and our privilege to be used by the God who provides for our every need.

A Personal Prayer

  • Ask God to give you a heart that loves your community as He does, growing in you a desire to turn outward and serve others as you would care for yourself and your family. Recognize that, apart from Him, you lack what is needed to bring lasting change, but trust that He can work through you as you surrender to His Spirit. Offer your “yes and amen,” inviting Him to use you to point others to His love.

Pray for Our Community: GraceWorks Ministries

  • GraceWorks Ministries is committed to addressing poverty in Williamson County by providing essential resources like food, clothing, housing support, and financial assistance. GraceWorks has outgrown their space, it’s awesome how they are using every square inch of their current facility for ministry. They are praying for a new location with more space as they grow.
  • Pray for continued resources and support to meet the growing needs in Williamson County, enabling GraceWorks to serve each family with compassion.
  • Ask God to raise up dedicated volunteers to sustain and strengthen GraceWorks’ programs and services.
  • Pray for strength and encouragement for the staff and leadership, equipping them to make a lasting impact on the lives they serve.

Prayer for the Nations: Send Relief

  • Send Relief is dedicated to disaster relief and community development, focusing on those in desperate need around the world. Their mission is to demonstrate God’s love, helping individuals and families experience hope, peace, and the fullness of life that God desires for them.
  • Pray for the BGR team to have wisdom and strength as they provide relief and support to those who have lost everything.
  • Ask God to open doors for gospel conversations through BGR’s efforts, that people would encounter Christ’s love and find hope in Him.