Honor God in all you do by serving others

We are now heading toward the end of the summer and what a unique summer it has been.
Tensions have run high. Take a presidential election year, add a pandemic, social injustice issues and a breakdown of communication and truthful information and what we have here is a mess.
I had said it a few months ago that by the end of the summer we would still not really know what was going on.
Unfortunately, that statement seems to be coming to pass.
What I do know is we are living in days of mass confusion.
I am encouraged by this because though I do not know what may be going on, I do know who is responsible for confusion. Satan is the author of all confusion.
I am encouraged because I know who I am dealing with, and the word of God shows me how to confront it.
1 Corinthians 14:33 says; “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches.”
The peace of God must rule in the hearts of his community, which is the church.
Colossians chapter 3 is full of wisdom concerning this. Again, the peace of God must rule in the hearts of the community of believers.
My goal as a follower of Christ, and the goal of my teaching during this present season, is to bring a state of calmness to all those I have the honor of being in the presence of.
I do not have all the answers to this present season, but I do know this, the church needs to assemble and not be in fear.
Assembling online is good, but scripture tells us not to forsake the assembling together of the community of believers.
In fact, we are to assemble together even more frequently than usual as we see the day of Christ approaching. (See Hebrews 10:25.)
Why is that? The answer to that question is this, wherever the church assembles there should be a presence of peace.
That is attained only if the peace of God rules in the hearts of his people. Whether we meet in the church, in a house or in a restaurant, if the peace of God rules in our hearts, it will have the power to remove the heaviness off of others.
I am not talking about just emotionally feeling better. I am talking about burdens being lifted off of the hearts and minds of others.
We are told to carry each other’s burdens. As believers, we must understand that when we lift the burdens of others, we take it upon ourselves, but not the anxiety, fear or discontent.
Despair is left at Calvary, and when we leave it at the cross, we receive the peace of God.
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.”
As the community of believers, if we have a troubled heart, we are rendered helpless. We need to honor God, and serve others.
Over the last week and a half, my team and I have had the honor and privilege to travel to the four corners of the State of Missouri.
Pastor’s Barbeque and Smoked Meats have been serving dinner to youth pastors and other church leaders in leadership workshops.
A missionary hosts the event, and in years past, the cost of the food has come out of his personal budget. This is a huge challenge normally, but, in the midst of Corona, this challenge has become even greater.
I decided that this was a burden that I could lift from my friend during this time. So, we sponsored the total cost of the banquet.
It has been a joy to serve, and God has already started blessing Pastor’s Barbeque and Smoked Meats for meeting the need of my friend.
After dinner last night, a pastor and I were talking. He asked, “Dave, why are you doing these banquets and absorbing all the cost?”
It was a great question, and this was my response, “I do not know what to do during this season except one thing. I know I am supposed to serve. I am called to serve my family, my church, my community and the kingdom of God. If I can serve people in those four areas, I know I will bring honor to God.”
My fellow pastor friend responded with agreement and understanding.
He told me of a quote he heard from one of the Coca-Cola executives that has altered his life.
The quote is very simplistic, yet profound, “Honor God in all you do by serving others.”
A powerful quote indeed!
It brings my thoughts back to Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.”
Honor God and make a positive difference in the four areas of community.
If we do so, we will live a life of peace no matter what the circumstances may be.
Dave Truncone is the pastor of First Assembly of God Church in Van Buren. He and his wife, Heidi, have been married 26 years. They have two daughters, Hannah, 20, and Abigail, 16. They have lived in Van Buren for nine years.
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