One morning while we waited for Ricky to bring our breakfast orders, Stan mentioned that in his journaling through John’s gospel he had focused on a single verse that showed him what’s supposed to follow after we come to believe in Jesus.
“Something’s supposed to follow belief in Jesus?” I asked. “What’s that?”
“Worship and service,” was Stan’s short answer.
“Worship and service? I thought belief was enough.”
“Well,” Stan replied, “belief is enough for salvation, but, as we’ve talked about many times, there are things we’re supposed to do while we’re waiting for the train into God’s eternal presence. It sure seems that worship and service are to follow belief!”
___________________________________
Bible verses to consider:
And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshipped Him. John 9:38.
. . . and they fell down and worshipped Him; . . . . Matthew 2:11.
Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Matthew 4:10. See also Luke 4:8.
. . . work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13.
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:17.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence because I believe, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t worship and serve you the way you intend. Please forgive the foolishness of believing without worshipping and serving you. Help me follow every step of your lead in following my belief with worship and service. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Can you worship and serve God because you believe in Him and have accepted His provision of life eternally with Him? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with your worship of and service to God? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to not only believe in Him, but to worship and serve Him? Spend time on this studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?