This is the fourth entry in a series on Christian service. You can begin with the first blog, entitled Whom Do You Serve in Ministry? Also be sure to check out the complementary guide to this series for questions that will help you find a ministry that fits the way God made you.

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. (John 4:34 NET)

Jesus set the ultimate standard for us to serve God. Never once was He out of God's will, but faithfully performed it day in and day out, everything to completion. He wasn't involved in church-organized ministries; there were none. He was simply out doing His Father's business. At times he became physically tired and hungry, but doing God's will was far more important and satisfying.

We can find the same fulfillment and great reward when we serve others even if we're not involved in a long-term ministry. What we do for the least of God's children is the same as doing it for Jesus. (Read Matthew 25:31-40.) It doesn't have to be something big. It may be only a cup of cold water, but if we do it because they are a disciple of Christ, we will be rewarded (Matthew 10:42).

Have you ever passed up eating because you were being fulfilled through your work for God? If so, what were you doing?

When we consider Christian ministry, we are more often in the mindset of looking for big projects and long-term service. It is easy to forget the importance of doing little things for others. What are some "little things" you can do to build up one or more people in the body of Christ? Plan to do at least one of those in the next week. (One "little thing" can be listing your ideas here.)

Go to the next installment in this series, When is the Right Time to Serve?

This is the third entry in a series on Christian service. You can begin with the first blog, entitled Whom Do You Serve in Ministry? Also be sure to check out the complementary guide to this series for questions that will help you find a ministry that fits the way God made you.

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:3-8 NET)

See others above yourself! What challenging words! In a society of hedonists, it is sometimes easy to give in to the world's wisdom to concentrate only on "me." As selfish beings, we find it hard to be concerned about others, much less to see them as greater than ourselves.

But that's what Jesus did, lowering Himself to our level, forsaking a life of worldly pleasures in order to serve. The Greek for slave in the Scripture above refers to one permanently devoted to serving another, giving up his own interests either voluntarily or involuntarily. In this case, Jesus willingly "emptied Himself" to appear as a slave.

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. (John 13:14 VW)

What's the "lowest" job you've ever done in your service to Christ?
God may not ask us to wash another person's feet, but we should be ready to say "yes" to His leading no matter what. What job are you afraid God may ask of you? Befriending a peculiar individual? Working with a group of people who are different from you? Leaving what you know (e.g., locale, job, present ministry) to serve elsewhere or in another fashion?
Pray for God's heart on this. If you have resolved to move forward with something God has revealed to you, tell someone who will keep you accountable.

Go to the next installment of this series, Can I Serve If I'm Not in a Long-Term Ministry?

This is the second entry in a series on Christian service. See the first entry, entitled Whom Do You Serve in Ministry? Also be sure to check out the complementary guide to this series for questions that will help you find a ministry that fits the way God made you.

Just as each one has received a gift (chárisma), use it to serve (diakonounte) one another as good stewards of the varied grace (cháritos) of God. Whoever speaks, let it be with God's words. Whoever serves (diakonei), do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11 NET, Greek words my additions)

Whatever you have received from God should be used to serve other Christians. The Greek word for gift here is chárisma. It is something that comes out of the grace of God through nothing you have done on your own. It may be in the form of money, talents, spiritual gifts, or even time.

Service (Or, assisting, ministering, "deaconing") should be done with the mighty power of God. This way, God will be glorified through Jesus Christ.

Are you being faithful in what God has gifted you? Name some of the gifts God has given you and list ways you could use them. (Your ideas here might help others.)
Can others see the mighty power of God in your ministry? It's easy to get so focused on the task that you forget the goal of glorifying God. When you set out to minister to others, pray first and foremost that God be glorified.

Other passages on stewardship:
The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, 'Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' His master answered, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.' (Matthew 25:20-21 NET) For the rest of this story, see Matthew 25:14-30.

But the one who did not know his master's will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked. (Luke 12:48 NET) For the rest of this story, see Luke 12:42-48.

She did what she could. She anointed my body beforehand for burial. (Mark 14:8 NET) For the rest of this story, see Mark 14:3-9.

Go to the next installment of this series, What Kind of Attitude is Required for Service?

If anyone wants to serve (diakonēi) me, he must follow me, and where I am, my servant (diákonos) will be too. If anyone serves (diakonēi) me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:26 NET, Greek words added)

The words for serve and servant here are interesting. The words are commonly translated into English throughout the New Testament as serve/servant, minister/ministry, and deacon. They could also be translated attend/attendant. Thayer's Greek Definitions defines the noun as "one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master, a servant, attendant, minister."

Do you want to serve Jesus? Follow Him as your Master. If you are His servant, you'll be at His side ready to do as He asks and you will be honored by the Father.

Is your ministry where Jesus is at work? Did He lead you there? Do you continue to seek his leading each time you serve? Make it your aim in your service to submit yourself to his command as Your master.

Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (Ephesians 6:5-8 ASV, emphasis mine)

This is the first entry in a series on service. Go to the next installment of this series, What Does God Want You to Do with Your Gifts? Also be sure to check out the guide entitled "Finding a Ministry that Fits".

There is another guide available here at BibleStoreBrowser.com. If you're in the market for a study Bible, you won't want to miss this article!

FAQ: I want to buy a study Bible. How do I find a good one?

There are so many study Bibles on the market today, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. As with finding a good Bible translation, there are some questions you can ask yourself before beginning your research:

What's the reader's age?

The majority of study Bibles are fit for adults and mature teenagers. If the reader is younger, there are specialty Bibles available for kids as young as six. There are considerably fewer options for the younger age groups.

What Bible translation would you prefer?

Some study Bibles come in only one translation and others come in many. Selecting one or a few acceptable translations will lower the number of choices.

My take:
I personally prefer the New American Standard Bible for its accuracy, but, depending on the type of study Bible, I would also accept a New King James Version or Holman Christian Standard Bible and possibly a New International Version. When I chose the version for my Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible, I considered the NKJV and NIV, but determined that the purpose of the study Bible (i.e., to study the breadth of Scripture on different topics) would be more effectively met with the more literal NASB.

What is the primary purpose for the Bible? What kind of notes do you want? Is there a particular church tradition you're seeking?

Do you want a Bible that interprets the scripture for you or one that helps you apply it to your life? Do you want commentary-style notes? historical/archaeological notes? word study notes? reference notes? Some Bibles will have at least a little of each, but will be made up mostly of one or another type of note.

Just as there is no English Bible translation entirely free of some level of interpretation, neither is there a study Bible that does not have some level of interpretation. (Even the Thompson Chain Reference Bible and Nave's Topical Study Bible required some interpretation.) Some study Bibles are readily identifiable as ascribing to a particular theology, such as the Reformation Study Bible. Others you may have to research by finding out more about the person or group who put it together or through turning to several debated passages and reading the interpretation.

Tip:
You certainly don't have to stick to your own theological tradition. Sometimes it is good to be exposed to some alternate interpretations provided you are also studying the depth and breadth of the topic for yourself. Studying the topics for yourself protects against leaning more on the teachings of men than on what God actually said. Instead of ascribing to one side of an issue or the other, you may find yourself somewhere in the middle or determining that your understanding is not extensive enough to make a decision at the time. Don't forget that any study of the Bible should be bathed in prayer.

The Study Bible Shop at Christianbook.com is a good place to shop for a study Bible online. Their EasyFind for Bibles will help you narrow your search. The resources on the right hand side of the page are also helpful when looking for a study Bible. If you come across some unfamiliar terms while browsing the descriptions of the Bibles, you can use the Glossary of Bible Terms. You can also take a look at their list of Popular Study Bibles for Bibles that have stood the test of the masses.

I highly recommend looking inside a study Bible before buying it. Either check it out online or go to your local Christian store if they have it. Reading some of the notes and viewing the layout will help you determine how well it fits your expectations. Once you've found what you're looking for, congratulations! You have a Bible you're a lot more likely to use! Now before you open your Bible at home for the first time, be sure to read my article, A New Bible! Now What? to find out how you can get the most out of your new Bible.

On page one of Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline, 25th Anniversary Edition, he writes, "We must not be led to believe that the Disciplines are only for spiritual giants and hence beyond our reach, or only for contemplatives who devote all their time to prayer and meditation." He goes on to say that the Disciplines are for ordinary human beings. That's right! People like you and me! Learn more about applying the disciplines to your life in these books.

Celebration of Discipline, 25th Anniversary Edition By Richard Foster / Harpercollins Publishing In this contemporary classic Richard Foster introduces us to the ancient disciplines of the Christian faith. As Foster explains, the practice of these disciplines does not amount to drudgery, but to delight, for it is through these practices that we are brought closer to Christ. As thousands of readers have found, there is no surer guide to spiritual growth than Celebration of Discipline.

Celebration of Discipline - Audiobook on Cassette
By Richard Foster / Blackstone Audiobooks

For this newly revised and updated edition, the author expands on the inward Disciplines of meditation and prayer, the outward Discipline of simplicity, and the corporate Discipline of celebration. He provieds a wealth of examples demonstrating how these Disciplines can become part of our daily activities and how they can help us forward inner transformation and "liberation from the stifling slavery of self interest and fear. Meditation, fasting, study, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship and guidance all help us to shed our superficial habits and bring the abundance of God into our lives. Offering crucial new insights on simplicity, Foster demonstrates how the biblical view of simplicity, properly understood and applied, brings joy and balance to our inward and outward lives and "sets us free to enjoy the provision of God as a gift that can be shared with others." The discussion of celebration, often the most neglected of the Disciplines, is enhanced to show its importance, since it stands at the heart of the way to Christ. This audiobook will help motivate Christians everywhere to embark on a journey of prayer and spiritual growth. Read by Tom Parker. Unabridged. 6 cassettes. 9 hours.

Celebrating the Disciplines
By Richard J. Foster & Kathryn A. Yanni / Harpercollins Publishing

With the help of Foster's Celebration of Discipline, thousands of Christians have grown spiritually and infused their daily activities with joy, peace, and deepened understanding. This practical combination journal-workbook will give you new ways to integrate the Disciplines into your life. Using the original book as a primary reference, 52 weeks of study (you can design your own sequence) present you with spiritual reflections, journaling questions, and exercises. Powerful and profitable for both individuals and groups! 212 pages, softcover from HarperCollins.

The Life You've Always Wanted, Expanded By John Ortberg / Zondervan Corp. In The Life You've Always Wanted, Expanded Edition John Ortberg explores how practicing simple spiritual disciplines can train us to live a transformed life. Since this book provides a more contemporary perspective on the classic spiritual disciplines it is a wonderful companion to Foster's Celebration of Discipline. Through clear biblical teaching, real-life application and an uncanny sense of humor, John Ortberg will guide you towards The Life You've Always Wanted.