Serve the Lord with Gladness

Wednesday 28 June
READ: Psa. 100:2
MORE LESSON: Acts 2:41

The Bible says that those who received the Word were baptised and added to the Church. In the early Church, those that gladly accepted the Word made up the bulk of the congregation, so there was quality and not just quantity. One of the problems of the contemporary Church is the quality of the congregation. The congregation is the foundation of the church from where the workers, leaders, elders and pastors are drawn. So it is important that the congregation of the church be made of people who are glad in receiving the Word and serving God. As a part of the congregation of the children of God, do you pay attention to the quality of your service to God?
Your place in the Church of God is dependent on your passion and joy in serving God and not the money or certificate that you have. Some people believe that if they have money, then they should be well recognised and promoted in the church of God. In fact that is the practice in many contemporary churches but God's standard remains that it is those who receive the Word of God gladly that are added to the Church. So don't just make up the number, add to the church by your glad and passionate service. In the days of the apostles, the congregation of the Church was passionate and joyful in accepting the Word of God and serving Him.
This is the foundation that needs to be built right so that our churches can be strong. Check your life, do you gladly serve God?
A time came in the early Church when there was a mixed multitude. People like Ananias and Sappihra thought they could manipulate the Church but God knocked them out because He wanted all to know that righteousness, holiness and glad service are the standard for His house. God is not a respecter of persons. The question He asks you is, “Have you gladly received the Word of life? Are you serving the Lord with gladness?”
When the military was in government in Nigeria, during each Supreme Council meeting, all the officers were to remove their caps and put them on the table. Titles like general, brigadier or colonel were all suspended so that decisions to further the affairs of the nation could be made. In the same manner, in the Kingdom of God, social status must be suspended so that the work of God can move forward. Professor, doctor, business tycoon, rich man are good titles but we must be ready to remove those caps and become brothers and sisters in serving the Lord.
The important thing in the Kingdom is not social status but serving the Lord with gladness. If you have arrived, serve the Lord with gladness. If you have not arrived, if you are married or not, rich or poor, just serve the Lord with gladness. Let no situation or privilege prevent you from serving the Lord.

Prayer/Action
* I pledge to serve the Lord not minding the prevailing situation of my life, in the name of Jesus.
* Lord, I will serve You with my time, substance and energy, in Jesus’ name .

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Woe to the power behind testimony failure in my life and destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.