"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Saturday, June 22, 2024 - Day 174 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Esther 7-10 Acts 6)
CHOSEN TO SERVE
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. (Acts 6:1-5 ESV)
The choosing of the first seven deacons shows us how God does things. He gives His people various vocations designed to serve Him by serving others.
Have you ever asked: “What does the Lord want me to do with my life?” Reading the Bible, praying and seeking the input of other Christians are the ways that God lets you know what He has planned for you.
Lord, help us walk Your servant way
Wherever love may lead
And bending low, forgetting self,
Each serve the other’s need.
(LSB 857 stanza 1)
Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of the choosing of the first deacons. Help me to know what You have chosen for me to do for You. Above all, keeping me mindful of what You have done for me by redeeming me with Your holy and precious blood. And as ever, THY WILL BE DONE. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow morning!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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