Daily Reading for Saturday, Feb. 9: Serving

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Acts 2: 17-18 NIV

If we are born again, we are God’s servants. God recognizes that, the angels recognize that, and we must recognize that. The word minister is actually derived from a word that means “to serve.” A minister is a servant; so if you think you’re not called to ministry, you are wrong. We are all called upon to serve in this kingdom. When a young man reaches the age of 18, he is required to register with the selective service. Why? So that, if needed, his country can call upon him to serve in the military. In the same way, when we are born again, we are registered in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Our name is placed on the list. And because we are among those who have been redeemed, we gladly take up the call to serve. Our service is not a compulsion; it is an expression of worship. We volunteer our service, and the Lord prepares the place where we are to serve. In fact, not only does the Lord prepare a place to serve, He equips us to serve as He desires. The Lord said he would pour out His spirit on all flesh, and His servants would prophesy. Why? So that we would boldly proclaim the living Christ and His atoning death—through our service. I encourage you today, be filled with His Spirit as He is poured out. The Holy Spirit will transform you from a hearer of the word to a doer of the word; He will guide you in His truth as you translate it into deeds. And by doing so, you will be walking in servanthood, fervently seeking and finding the kingdom of God.