Embracing Service: Small Acts, Big Impact

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Unexpected Plans

Sometimes, God's plans for us are different from what we anticipate. We may think we are only passing through a place, but God might be calling us to stay and serve right where we are. This teaches us to remain open and attentive to His voice, trusting that His plans are always for our good and His glory. In January 2011, a family transitioned from their mission work in Honduras to the United States, initially planning a brief stay before embarking on another mission. However, as they sought God's guidance, it became clear that He was calling them to remain in the United States. They found their place within the DSMC community, engaging in ministries and missions that resonated deeply with them. This experience underscores the importance of being open to God's unexpected plans and trusting that His guidance will lead us to where we are most needed. [00:30]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Think of a time when your plans were changed unexpectedly. How did you see God's hand in that situation, and how can you remain open to His guidance in your current circumstances?

Day 2: The Power of Small Acts

Small acts of kindness can have a monumental impact on others' lives. Helping a family with minor home repairs not only improved their living conditions but also provided a safer and healthier environment for their children. This reminds us that we don't need to undertake grand projects to make a difference; even small, thoughtful actions can change lives. During a trip to the valley, a group assisted a mother with several children living in a dilapidated home. They undertook small but significant repairs, such as fixing the roof and faulty kitchen wiring. Her heartfelt gratitude and the visible improvement in her family's living conditions were life-changing for those who helped. This experience highlights the profound impact that even small acts of service can have on individuals and future generations. [01:16]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: Identify one small act of kindness you can do for someone today. How can this act potentially impact their life and your own?

Day 3: Generational Impact

Our actions today can influence future generations. By making a home safe and comfortable, we contribute to the well-being and future prospects of the children living there. This highlights the importance of considering the long-term effects of our service and how it can shape the lives of those who come after us. The experience of helping a family with home repairs not only improved their immediate living conditions but also provided a safer and healthier environment for the children. This act of service has the potential to positively influence the children's future, as they grow up in a more stable and secure environment. Recognizing the generational impact of our actions encourages us to serve with a long-term perspective, understanding that our efforts can have lasting effects on the lives of others. [01:45]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: Consider how your actions today might influence future generations. What is one way you can serve others with a long-term perspective in mind?

Day 4: The Joy of Service

Serving others brings immense joy and fulfillment. Witnessing the positive changes in the lives of those we help can be deeply moving and motivating. It encourages us to continue serving, knowing that our efforts, no matter how small, are valuable and appreciated. The experience of helping a family with home repairs and seeing the visible improvement in their living conditions brought immense joy and fulfillment to those who served. This joy motivates us to continue serving others, recognizing that our efforts, no matter how small, are valuable and appreciated. The joy of service is a powerful reminder of the blessings that come from selflessly helping others. [02:10]

Acts 20:35 (ESV): "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of service you performed. How did it bring joy to you and the person you helped? How can you seek out more opportunities to serve others?

Day 5: Commitment to Community

Finding a community where we can use our gifts and talents to serve is crucial. Being involved in local ministries and missions allows us to connect with others and make a tangible difference in our surroundings. This sense of belonging and purpose is vital for our spiritual growth and fulfillment. The family found their place within the DSMC community, engaging in ministries and missions that resonated deeply with them. This involvement allowed them to connect with others and make a tangible difference in their surroundings. Being part of a community where we can use our gifts and talents to serve is essential for our spiritual growth and fulfillment. It provides a sense of belonging and purpose, encouraging us to continue serving and making a positive impact on those around us. [00:45]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: Think about the community you are part of. How can you use your gifts and talents to serve others within this community? What steps can you take to become more involved in local ministries and missions?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In January 2011, we transitioned from our mission work in Honduras to the United States, initially planning a brief stay before embarking on another mission. However, as we sought God's guidance, it became clear that He was calling us to remain here. We found our place within the DSMC community, engaging in ministries and missions that resonated deeply with us. One particular experience profoundly impacted me: during a trip to the valley, we assisted a mother with several children living in a dilapidated home. We undertook small but significant repairs, such as fixing the roof and faulty kitchen wiring. Her heartfelt gratitude and the visible improvement in her family's living conditions were life-changing for me. This experience underscored the profound impact that even small acts of service can have on individuals and future generations. It inspired a desire to continue helping others, recognizing that even minor efforts can lead to significant, lasting change.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being and future prospects of the children living there. This highlights the importance of considering the long-term effects of our service and how it can shape the lives of those who come after us. [01:45]
4. The Joy of Service: Serving others brings immense joy and fulfillment. Witnessing the positive changes in the lives of those we help can be deeply moving and motivating. It encourages us to continue serving, knowing that our efforts, no matter how small, are valuable and appreciated.

5. Commitment to Community: Finding a community where we can use our gifts and talents to serve is crucial. Being involved in local ministries and missions allows us to connect with others and make a tangible difference in our surroundings. This sense of belonging and purpose is vital for our spiritual growth and fulfillment.

### [01:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - God's Unexpected Plans
[00:45] - Finding Our Place in DSMC
[01:16] - The Power of Small Acts
[01:45] - Generational Impact
[02:10] - The Joy of Service
[02:30] - Commitment to Community

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the initial plan for the speaker and their family when they returned to the United States from Honduras? [00:30]
Describe the condition of the home the speaker helped repair during their trip to the valley. [01:16]
How did the mother respond to the small repairs made to her home? [01:16]
What impact did the small acts of service have on the speaker's perspective on helping others? [01:45]

Interpretation Questions

How does Proverbs 16:9 relate to the speaker's experience of planning to leave but being called to stay? [00:30]
In what ways does Matthew 25:40 reflect the speaker's actions and their impact on the family they helped? [01:16]
How can Galatians 6:9 be seen in the speaker's continued commitment to serving others despite the small scale of their actions? [02:10]
What does the speaker's story suggest about the importance of being open to God's unexpected plans for our lives? [00:30]

Application Questions

Have you ever experienced a time when your plans were changed by what you felt was God's guidance? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [00:30]
Think of a small act of kindness you can do this week. How might this act impact someone else's life, even if it seems minor to you? [01:16]
Reflect on a time when you helped someone in need. How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from the experience? [02:10]
How can you ensure that your actions today have a positive impact on future generations? What specific steps can you take? [01:45]
In what ways can you get involved in your local community to use your gifts and talents for service? Identify one ministry or mission you can join. [00:45]
How do you find joy in serving others? Share a recent experience where serving brought you fulfillment. [02:10]
What are some practical ways you can remain open and attentive to God's voice in your daily life? How can you discern His plans for you? [00:30]

Sermon Clips

1. "As we lived here for a while, we kept seeking God's voice on what our next steps would be and realized that He was not calling us to leave. He was calling us to stay right here. At that point, we found ministries and missions that touched our heart here. We both became involved in the work of the church and thought that it was a good fit for us and was allowing us to use our gifts and our talents to serve those in the community around us." [00:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Her response to the small things that we did, and these were not big projects that we did, but the response from her after we did a small thing to help her make her house, comfortable and safe, was life-changing for me because I saw in her, lives changed. I saw the future for her children in living in a house that wasn't going to be damaged, that wasn't going to be faulty, that wasn't going to cause harm to her children or sickness to her children." [01:16] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "For me, it moved me, it moved my heart because I saw that I can change a life by doing very little, and have a huge impact for future generations. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to come back time and time again because you want to help as many people as you can in that situation. And you realize that it doesn't take a big commitment on your part to do that, and yet it has a big impact on you." [01:16] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?