document.open(); document.writeln(""); document.writeln("The Joy of Serving One Another
"); document.writeln("Print this page");document.writeln("
");document.writeln(""); document.writeln("

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all"); document.writeln("its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by"); document.writeln("on Spirit so as to form one body\'€”whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free\'€”and we"); document.writeln("were all given the one Spirit to drink.1

"); document.writeln("

 

"); document.writeln("

Believers have two fundamental responsibilities: to love God"); document.writeln("and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). This is often done through service. How"); document.writeln("and where varies according to our gifts, abilities, and calling, but we are all"); document.writeln("expected to be involved in a local body of believers.

"); document.writeln("

 

"); document.writeln("

When someone trusts Christ as Savior, that person is"); document.writeln("baptized by the Holy Spirit into the church, the body of believers united by"); document.writeln("faith. The biblical plan is for the new Christian to then choose, according to the will of God, to join a local group of believers where he is loved and needed. (1"); document.writeln("Corinthians 12-18).

"); document.writeln("

 

"); document.writeln("

The church is more than a community. It is a body with"); document.writeln("individual members created by God to function in communion with one another."); document.writeln("Christians, like the world at large, are a diverse group, so we must strive for"); document.writeln("unity. But our differences are something to celebrate, as each person"); document.writeln("contributes in a special way to the purpose God has for us. A church that functions as a"); document.writeln("unit, with all its varied gifts, talents, personalities, and intellects focused"); document.writeln("toward Kingdom goals, is a beautiful thing in the eyes of the Lord.

"); document.writeln("

 

"); document.writeln("

The body of Christ functions most beautifully when all of"); document.writeln("its members choose to serve God and one another (1 Corinthians 12-25).

"); document.writeln("

 

"); document.writeln("

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, today I ask You to"); document.writeln("increase my joy in wanting to serve others. May the gifts you have given me be"); document.writeln("put at the service of Your church. Let me see how I can serve wherever I am."); document.writeln("May I never forget that my fundamental responsibilities as Your child are to"); document.writeln("love You above all things and to love my neighbor. In the name of Jesus I pray,"); document.writeln("Amen.

"); document.writeln("

1.     "); document.writeln("1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NIV).

"); document.writeln("

 

"); document.writeln("

Today\'s Encounter was written by: Rosina N.

"); document.writeln("

 

"); document.writeln("
"); document.writeln("

"); document.writeln("

This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes can be read online.

Copyright © 1990 - 2026
ACTS International

"); document.writeln("
"); document.close();