Serving God: A Journey of Gratitude and Surrender

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Strength Renews the Weary

No matter how tired or overwhelmed we become, God promises to renew our strength when we wait on Him. Even the strongest among us will falter, but God’s power is inexhaustible and He delights in lifting up those who trust in Him. When you feel faint or burdened, remember that God is not distant—He is the everlasting Creator who gives power to the faint and increases strength to those who have no might. Trust that as you lean on Him, He will enable you to soar above your challenges, run without growing weary, and walk without fainting. [07:40]

Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)
“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Reflection: When you feel exhausted or discouraged, what would it look like for you to pause and intentionally “wait on the Lord” today, trusting Him to renew your strength in a specific area of your life?

Day 2: Praise Is Our Purpose

We were created to praise God, not just for what He does, but for who He is—His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness. Praise is more than a song or a moment; it is a continual offering from our lips and hearts, regardless of our circumstances. True praise flows from a relationship with God and is an act of obedience and love, declaring His greatness to others. Even when prayers seem unanswered, we are called to praise Him, knowing that He is always worthy. [49:03]

Psalm 100:1-5 (KJV)
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally praise God today—not for what He’s done, but simply for who He is?

Day 3: Blessing the Lord by Blessing Others

To bless the Lord is to honor Him with our lives, using the gifts and resources He has given us to serve and bless others. It is easy to focus on receiving blessings, but God calls us to be a blessing, to give generously and selflessly. Whether through acts of kindness, sharing our talents, or encouraging someone in need, we reflect God’s love when we bless others. Blessing the Lord is not limited to a time or place; it is a lifestyle of gratitude and service, no matter our circumstances. [56:34]

Psalm 34:1 (KJV)
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally bless today with your time, encouragement, or resources as an act of worship to God?

Day 4: Surrender and Security in Lifting Our Hands

Lifting up our hands to God is a powerful sign of surrender, sacrifice, and security. When we raise our hands, we let go of what we’re holding onto—our worries, our pride, our burdens—and reach out to the One who can truly help us. Just as a child lifts their hands to be picked up by a loving parent, we lift our hands to God, trusting Him to protect, deliver, and guide us. This act of surrender is not weakness, but a declaration that we trust God more than ourselves. [01:02:40]

Psalm 63:3-4 (KJV)
“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”

Reflection: What is something you need to release to God today, symbolically lifting your hands in surrender and trusting Him with it?

Day 5: Responding to God’s Love—What Can I Do for the Lord?

God’s love for us is loyal and unconditional, and in response, we are called to ask, “Lord, what can I do for you?” Instead of focusing on what we can get from God, we are invited to offer ourselves—our praise, our service, our obedience—as a living sacrifice. This shift from receiving to giving transforms our relationship with God and others, making us active participants in His kingdom. When we consider all God has done for us, our hearts should overflow with a desire to give back, to serve, and to honor Him in all we do. [01:04:37]

Romans 12:1 (KJV)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Reflection: In light of God’s faithfulness, what is one specific way you can offer yourself in service to God this week—asking not “what can I get?” but “what can I do for You?”

Sermon Summary

Today is a day of gratitude, reflection, and worship as we gather to honor the Lord for His faithfulness and lovingkindness. Drawing from Isaiah 40 and Psalm 63, we are reminded that God is the everlasting source of our strength, never growing weary, and always ready to renew us when we feel faint. Our worship is not just about what we receive from God, but about what we can offer back to Him—our praise, our service, and our lives. The heart of our gathering is captured in the question: “Lord, what can I do for you?” This is a call to shift our focus from seeking blessings to becoming a blessing, from asking to giving, and from receiving to serving.

The psalmist’s yearning for God is like a thirst in a dry land, a longing that can only be satisfied by God’s presence. This longing leads to three responses: praising the Lord, blessing the Lord, and lifting up our hands in surrender and trust. Praise is more than a song or a shout; it is an expression of adoration for who God is, not just for what He does. Blessing the Lord means using what He has given us—our gifts, our resources, our time—to serve others and honor Him. Lifting our hands is a sign of surrender, sacrifice, and security, symbolizing our willingness to let go of what we hold and trust God to carry us through every circumstance.

As we reflect on the journey of Love Community Baptist Church, we see that serving God often requires sacrifice, faith, and perseverance. The story of this church is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and the power of giving without expecting anything in return. Whether through music, service, or simple acts of kindness, every offering made to God is multiplied and used for His glory. The invitation remains open: to come to God, to surrender, and to ask daily, “Lord, what can I do for you?” In doing so, we find true joy, purpose, and the assurance that God’s love is better than life itself.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Strength Is Unfailing No matter how weary or faint we become, God’s strength is inexhaustible. He gives power to the weak and renews those who wait on Him, reminding us that our limitations are opportunities for His power to be displayed. Trusting in His everlasting strength allows us to rise above our circumstances and continue forward with hope. [14:39]
2. Worship Is About Giving, Not Just Receiving True worship shifts our focus from what we can get from God to what we can offer Him. Like the psalmist, our first thought each day should be, “Lord, what can I do for you?” This attitude transforms our relationship with God from one of entitlement to one of gratitude and service, deepening our fellowship with Him. [43:17]
3. God’s Love Is Loyal and Unconditional While human love often comes with conditions, God’s love remains steadfast even when we are unfaithful. His agape love pursues us in our brokenness and never withdraws, inviting us to love others with the same loyalty and grace. Reflecting on God’s faithfulness inspires us to respond with praise and commitment. [47:14]
4. Blessing the Lord Means Blessing Others We bless the Lord not only with our words but by using our gifts and resources to serve others. Every act of kindness, generosity, or service is a way of honoring God and fulfilling our purpose as His people. When we give freely, God multiplies our efforts and uses them to impact lives beyond what we can imagine. [56:34]
5. Surrender and Security Are Found in God Lifting our hands in worship is a physical sign of surrender, sacrifice, and trust. It means letting go of what we cling to and allowing God to take control. In surrender, we find true security, knowing that God is our protector, deliverer, and the one who carries us through every trial. [63:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
[03:45] - Devotional Scripture: Isaiah 40
[06:20] - Responsive Reading & Praise
[10:15] - Praise and Worship
[14:39] - God Is the Source of Our Strength
[19:18] - Intercessory Prayer
[22:30] - Offering and Stewardship
[27:51] - Testimonies of Freedom
[32:00] - Introduction to Psalm 63
[43:17] - Seeking God: “What Can I Do for You?”
[47:14] - God’s Loyal Love
[49:03] - The Meaning of Praise
[54:50] - Blessing the Lord by Blessing Others
[59:27] - Lifting Up Hands: Surrender and Security
[72:19] - Invitation to Respond
[81:06] - Reflections and Gratitude
[87:07] - Benediction and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV) — > Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
> He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
> Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
> But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalm 63:3-4 (KJV) — > Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
> Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Observation Questions

According to Isaiah 40:28-31, what does God do for those who are weary or feel faint?
In Psalm 63:3-4, what three actions does the psalmist say he will do in response to God’s lovingkindness?
The sermon described lifting up hands as a sign of surrender, sacrifice, and security. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate these meanings? [59:27]
The pastor shared that God’s love is described as “loyal” and “unconditional.” How did he contrast this with human love? [47:14]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that God’s strength is “inexhaustible,” and how does this change the way believers face their own limitations? [14:39]
The psalmist’s longing for God is compared to thirst in a dry land. What does this metaphor suggest about the depth of our need for God’s presence? [43:17]
The sermon emphasized that worship is not just about receiving from God, but about offering ourselves to Him. How does this perspective challenge common attitudes toward worship? [43:17]
When the pastor talked about blessing the Lord by blessing others, what did he say about using our gifts and resources? How does this relate to our purpose as God’s people? [56:34]

Application Questions

The pastor encouraged us to ask, “Lord, what can I do for you?” instead of “Lord, what can I get from you?” What is one specific way you can shift your focus from receiving to giving this week? [43:17]
Think about a time when you felt weak or worn out. How did you experience God’s strength in that moment, or how could you have leaned on Him more? [14:39]
The sermon described lifting up hands as a sign of surrender and letting go. Is there something you are holding onto that you need to release to God? What would it look like to surrender that area of your life? [59:27]
The pastor said that God’s love is loyal and unconditional, even when we are unfaithful. Is there someone in your life who needs to experience that kind of love from you? How can you show them grace this week? [47:14]
Blessing the Lord means using what He has given us to serve others. What is one gift, resource, or talent you have that you can use to bless someone in your church or community this month? [56:34]
The story of Love Community Baptist Church was described as a journey of sacrifice, faith, and perseverance. Where in your life is God calling you to step out in faith or make a sacrifice for His glory? [01:21:06]
The psalmist said, “I will bless the Lord at all times.” What are some practical ways you can praise and bless God in your daily routine, not just on Sundays? [54:50]

Sermon Clips

We love folk as long as they love us. We don't mind doing for others as long as they do for us. But how many of us really can love unconditionally? And this word, agape love, in the Bible says that it is unconditional. And somebody in here, you ought to shout right now because God loved you even when you was unlovable. Even when you was undesirable. He still loved you. Even when you didn't give him your all. But he never has taken his love away from you. [00:47:21] (37 seconds) #UnconditionalAgape

If the only time you use your gift when it's tied to money. And if you don't use your talents, God said, He'll take them from you. And David exemplified that in his life by using what God has given him and relying on what God has given him. Watch this. To bless somebody else. So you can use what God has given you to be a blessing to others. [00:57:06] (48 seconds) #UseYourGifts

Lifting up hands, one is a sign of surrender. All right. When you lift up your hands, it's a sign of surrender. When you are interrogated by the police, watch this. They say you've got to raise your hands to surrender. And so watch this. When I surrendered my life to God, I'm showing God by the signs of lifting my hands in surrender that, Lord, I'm giving up my life, and I'm turning it over to you. [01:00:19] (38 seconds) #HandsUpSurrender

Many times we come to God and we ask God, we want God to be in our heart and in our mind. And we say, Lord, I want you to be Savior in my life. But watch this. We want him to be on the side. And we'll just call him when we need him. But God is not a genie that you can call whenever you want him to. But when you invite him into your heart, he comes to take over and to be king of your life. [01:01:09] (31 seconds) #GodIsKing

Lifting up hands is a sign of surrender. But then watch this. Lifting up my hands is a sign of sacrifice. Teach, Pastor. When you lift up your hands, it's a sign of sacrifice. Watch this. When you lift up your hands. You are releasing anything that you are holding. Y 'all know when babies lift their hands, they can be holding a bottle, they can be holding a toy. But when they lift their hands, they put down what they're holding. And they lift their hands to say, pick me up. [01:02:03] (59 seconds) #HandsUpSacrifice

And lastly, lifting upper hands is a sign of security. When you lift up your hands, it's a sign of security. Watch as you're lifting your hands to withdraw into the arms of the one who can protect you and deliver you. And so somebody in here, you say, Lord, I'm lifting up my hands because I need you to protect me, deliver me, and guide me. [01:03:33] (37 seconds) #HandsUpSecurity

Lord, what can I do for you? I can praise you. I can bless your name. And when times get hard, I can lift up my hands in praise. [01:12:02] (29 seconds) #PraiseBlessLift

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