Day 31 – December 31

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1231It’s your turn.

Plan and schedule ways you will serve others around you. It may not be 31 days, but how can you serve others today, tomorrow, and throughout the upcoming year?

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. (Matthew 10.42)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 30 – December 30

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1230As we approach the new year, commit to being regularly involved in service with a local organization.

Here are some suggestions as to places you can serve:

Children’s Home of Lubbock (website)

Texas Boy’s Ranch (website)

Carpenter’s Church (website)

South Plains Food Bank (website)

Children’s Advocacy Center (website)

CASA of the South Plains (website)

Hospice of the South Plains (website)

Ronald McDonald House (website)

All the believers were together and had everything in common. (Acts 2.44)

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 29 – December 29

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1229Sometimes perspective allows you the best understanding as to ways you can serve others.

Take a moment to visit the Global Rich List website (Find it here).

As you look through the site, begin to think of ways you can use your excess to serve others who have less.

As a family, decide how you would like to increase your giving this year. Here are some possible suggestions:

  • World Vision
  • Compassion International
  • A local charity
  • Giving at Church

Or perhaps you may want to give the gift of time to serve others through things such as a nursing home, South Plains Food Banks, or volunteer to take care of a neighbors lawn.

As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6.4, 9)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 28 – December 28

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1228Spend some time this week that is “Family Time.”

Choose something your whole family can do together and do it. It can be a game the family plays together, or perhaps you go to a park or go hiking. Pick something that allows everyone to interact with one another.

Turn off the phones, get rid of distractions, put away the work — just spend time with one another serving them through the gift of your presence.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially tho those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6.10)

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 27 – December 27

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1227If you end up at a retail store in the “return” line, be especially patient and generous.

Let someone go in front of you.

Thank the cashier for the work they must do during particularly difficult retail days.

Maybe even get a small token of your appreciation to give to the person behind the counter.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9.8)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 26 – December 26

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1226Take the “25 Challenge”

Look at your bank statements and find something you spend too much money on.

Give up that something–fast food, gourmet coffee, movie dates, etc.–and donate that money to an organization fighting poverty.

Source of this idea and a place to check out? www.the25group.org.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. (Acts 4.32)

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 25 – December 25

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1225Merry Christmas!

Today is a day of joy, and presents, and family, and probably some rush, and overwhelming excitement. If we are not careful, we overlook the blessing found in the birth of God’s Son.

Today serve your family and those around by being sure you remind them of the message that surrounds the birth of our Messiah.

For unto us a child is born, to us a son has been given who will be called Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. God did this because of his zeal for his people. (Isaiah 9.6-7, my paraphrase)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

 

Day 24 – December 24

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1224Today many of us will either have family over or be with family. Some of our neighbors will not have that luxury.

Today serve your neighbor by doing something for them. What could you do? Here are some ideas:

  • Rake their leaves
  • Share some goodies
  • Have your children write them a note
  • Give them a gift card
  • Find something they need you do … and do it

While you may think you need to spend your time with family, perhaps the best time you can spend with family is to together serve others.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first great commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22.37-38)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 23 – December 23

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1223Invite someone over for dinner whom you do not know well.

Keep the preparation simple: for instance order pizza, make a salad, and spend some time getting to know another family or person.

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. (Acts 2.46)

Other Ideas:

•Invite another person/family to “brown bag” a picnic in the park. Allow the kids to play and just enjoy visiting with one another.

•You may chose to go out to eat, but pick an simple restaurant, perhaps a fast-food one, and one that will allow you a time to visit more than be overwhelmed about the ambiance of the meal.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 22 – December 22

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1222If you are traveling over the holidays and stay in a hotel, save the travel size shampoos/soaps in your room.

Donate them to Carpenter’s Church (website) by dropping them in the black tub in the South Plains foyer.

Add a few hygiene items that you purchased to increase the size of your donation (travel size deodorant, shaving cream, razors, feminine hygiene, socks shower gel, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.).

There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. (Acts 4.34-35)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days