She Is Strong and Courageous 30-Day DevotionalExemplo

Be Willing to Serve – Women Who Worked Alongside Paul

Male and female, we are to be coworkers with Christ Jesus! In today’s devotional, discover ways you can use the gifts that God has given you to serve others. 

“Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Philippians 4:3 NASB).

Pray: Lord, give me a deeper understanding of you and your Word. 

Observe: Scripture tells us that God gives each of us specific gifts and talents we are to use in service to one another (1 Peter 4:10). We don’t earn these gifts; they are an expression of God’s love. And we don’t choose our gifts; they are determined by God, given to us by the Holy Spirit, to equip us for service, in order to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:12). 

In today’s “all about me” culture, being a servant isn’t an attribute many people strive for. It’s not a popular concept, it doesn’t come with a glamorous title, and our friends and co-workers aren’t likely to challenge us for the position. However, it reveals the heart of our character and the root of our priorities. And it is an attribute God generously blesses us for, as he blesses others through us. 

In Philippians 4:3, the apostle Paul commends women who have labored alongside him for the sake of the gospel. And he calls on the Philippians to help these courageous women in honor of their work.

Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for you and me (Matthew 20:28). The least we can do is follow his lead and be courageously willing to serve others for the sake of his kingdom.

Be courageously willing to serve others by following these steps:

1. Identify genuine needs within your family, workplace, community, and/or local church. 

2. Pray over each need and ask God to reveal the one or ones he wants you to meet. 

3. Determine the necessary steps you can take to help meet the need God has asked you to address. 

4. Take action and remain committed to the task until the need has been met or God brings in other workers. 

Interpret: We are to be fellow workers in God’s kingdom, in the same way the women of Paul’s time were.

Apply: Ask God to reveal your specific area of kingdom work and dedicate yourself to that work, even when it’s difficult.

Pray: Father, give me wisdom and discernment to know where and how you desire for me to contribute to your kingdom work. Prepare me for service and help me succeed.