Word of the Week - Peace in the Storm - Serve Others - Week 3 COVID-19

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45

During this time of sickness and uncertainty let’s look for ways to love and serve those around us.  It can be as simple as calling a neighbor, friend or co-worker to see if they are okay and if they need anything.  It is much more blessed to give than to receive and to serve rather than be served.  Serving is also and antidote to anxiety/worry, it is hard to worry too much about yourself if you are focused on serving others.  This is really the essence of the Gospel that Jesus “Gave His all for us” to model what it looks like to be a follower of Christ.  As believers, we exist to serve others by showing God’s love in practical ways through meeting the needs within our communities, families and spheres of influence.  Simple acts of personal kindness can open hearts to the love of Jesus for both those being served and those serving, especially during this time of crisis and uncertainty.  The following are a few biblical principles of fostering a heart of Service.We over Me – One of the most amazing blessings of the Christian life is fellowship among the believers is the fact that we are better together.  God set up the Church for synergy through the body of believers.  We are all part of the body/community and have a specific gift and role to play in God’s plan.  God’s Kingdom will not advance to its fullest without us all serving together as a body.  “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given one spirt to drink.  Even so the body is not made of one part but of many”. 1 Cor 12:12-14Serving others is Worship -  We win the Lord’s heart by loving Him through worship.  Serving others in the name if Jesus is one of the highest forms of worship to the Lord Jesus.  It is a way to tangibly love the Lord.  Especially when we serve the needy and less fortunate who could never repay us.  So serve others with all of your heart and do it with no strings attached in the name of Jesus and for this you will be blessed both now and for eternity.  “The King will reply.  “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did unto me”.  Matthew 25:40Let’s look for opportunities this week to Serve others in the name of Jesus.Founders Data tracking tool for COVID-19 Cases: For your reference I have attached a report we developed to track data associated with total cases and reproduction/growth in cases for COVID-19.  This is a tool we are using to better understand how things are progressing relative to what other countries (China, South Korea & Italy) have experienced since they are ahead of us in the pandemic wave.  Based on what we are seeing in the data, I am optimistic that we are will see the wave crest and will be witnessing some positive trends over the next week or two, which will lead to our country stabilizing and moving to a recovery phase in the not too distant future.  I hope this encourages you to stay positive and trusting in the Lord as we continue to humble ourselves, pray and serve.“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”  2 Chronicles 7:14See encouragement from last week below on Keeping Perspective, Experiencing Peace, Making a Plan and Tapping God’s Power.Stay healthy and keep the faith…..-Duane