10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6:10-12

Most of us are quick to declare our love for God, but at times our reluctance to serve Him tells a different story. Honestly consider whether you have ever found yourself saying or thinking, I love you, Lord, but don’t call me to do that! Or perhaps you served Him, but with a flawed attitude: If no one else will do it, then I guess I will. What causes us to be reluctant servants?
Busyness: Sometimes our schedules are so full that there’s no space to follow the Lord when we hear Him calling us to minister in a certain area. We all need “margins” in our lives if we want to abide in God’s will.
Inadequacy: Perhaps you feel unqualified to serve, and you’re thinking, Surely there’s someone more gifted who could do that job. But that’s just an excuse; the Lord promises to equip those He calls (2 Cor. 3:4-6).
Selfishness: Sacrificial service is never convenient. It may require that we change our plans, give up our comforts, or even make financial sacrifices.
Lack of love: This is the hardest for us to admit—that we just don’t care enough. Our reluctance to serve others reveals a lack of devotion to the Lord. Those who love Christ with all their heart will joyfully serve Him by ministering to those in their families, workplaces, communities, and churches.
Are you quick to follow the Lord’s leading when a need arises, or are you a reluctant servant who’s preoccupied with your own plans and desires? Any service we offer in Jesus’ name will not be in vain. You’ll experience the joy of giving and the assurance that the Lord won’t forget your sacrifice.
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“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.”Ps 19:7 NLT

Worldly success can leave you empty, but here’s something that won’t: “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.” Have your plans fallen apart? Have you made a mess of your life? Do you need direction? Read this: “The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (v. 7 NLT). Have the things you thought would bring you happiness, ended up bringing you misery? Read this: “The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart” (v. 8 NLT). Are you directionless, wondering where to go and what to do with your life? Read this: “The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living” (v. 8 NLT). The answers you’re seeking are in your Bible. David was a brilliant soldier, a popular king, and a man with access to all the riches anyone could desire. But he discovered these things don’t bring lasting joy. What he found instead is that: “The laws of the Lord are true…They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward to those who obey them” (vv. 9-11 NLT). What was David’s problem? “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt” (vv. 12-13 NLT). What was David’s solution? Reading God’s Word daily, feeding his soul on it, and walking according to its precepts.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart.”Ps 139:23 NIV

Here are two more reasons why spending time alone with God each day is important: (1) To take spiritual inventory of your life. David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (vv. 23-24 NIV). Note the words “anxious thoughts” and “offensive way.” These are things you start to take stock of when you are in God’s presence. For example, are you growing daily in your spiritual walk? Are you allowing unconfessed sins to pile up in your life? How about your attitudes? In order to see yourself from God’s point of view, you have to face these questions in His presence and answer them honestly. (2) To commit each day to the Lord. The writer of Proverbs said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Pr 3:5-6 NIV). Share your schedule with God, ask Him to guide you in your daily activities and alter them as needed. Ask Him to help you manage your time better so you can get more done (See Ps 90:12). Ask Him to help you distinguish between what’s truly important and what isn’t (See 1Co 10:23). Every day of your life you’ll have to deal with two things: problems and opportunities. And God will give you the right perspective and approach to handle both. You’ll be amazed how much more effective and efficient you are when you’ve spent time with Him. 

“I will lead them.” Isa 42:16 NKJV 

Another goal of your daily devotions should be: guidance. Without God’s input you’re at the mercy of your own best thinking—and that should concern you greatly! The Psalmist wrote, “Show me your ways…teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Ps 25:4-5 NIV). God said through the prophet Isaiah: “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them” (Isa 42:16 NKJV). The path you take determines your destination, so before you decide to go in a given direction, talk to God. And don’t be surprised when He takes you down a road “you have not known.” You must trust that God knows what He’s doing. Blaise Pascal said, “All of man’s troubles stem from his inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” In this fast-paced age you must take time to slow down, collect your thoughts, evaluate what’s happening around you, and get direction from the One who knows the end from the beginning (See Isa 46:10). Jesus told His disciples to “come apart” in order to be rejuvenated physically and spiritually (See Mk 6:31). The Bible says, “When they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples” (Mk 4:34 NKJV). There are certain things God will explain to you only when you take the time to be alone with Him.