April 6, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional – The Challenge to Serve

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

April 6, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional Message || ODB for Thursday

READ THURSDAY ODB DEVOTIONAL, OUR DAILY BREAD 6TH APRIL 2023 WRITTEN BY ANNE CETAS (OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES)

TOPIC: The Challenge to Serve

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Samuel 4–6; Luke 9:1–17

KEY VERSE: Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
John 13:3–15

INSIGHT FOR TODAY
In biblical times, foot-washing was a task reserved for the most menial servant. For a superior to wash the feet of an inferior was virtually unheard of (John 13:6–8, 13–16).

But John begins his thirteenth chapter by saying Jesus loved His own—even to the end. Christ adopted the role of the servant to wash the very feet that would abandon Him just a few hours later (Mark 14:50). To love like Jesus means humbly serving even those who fail us. It is, after all, how He loves us.

Our Daily Bread Devotional 6 April 2023 MESSAGE

Although just thirteen years old, DeAvion took up a challenge to serve others. He and his mom had heard a story about a man who called on kids to mow fifty lawns for free during their summer break. Their focus was to assist veterans, single moms, people with disabilities—or anyone who just needed help. The founder (who had mowed fifty lawns in fifty states) created the challenge to teach the importance of work ethic and giving back to the community. Despite the heat and the availability of other activities a teenager could pursue in the summer, DeAvion chose to serve others and completed the challenge.

The challenge to serve comes to believers in Jesus as well. The evening before He would die for all people, Jesus ate dinner with His friends (John 13:1–2). He was well aware of the suffering and death He would soon encounter, yet He got up from the meal, wrapped a towel around Himself, and began to wash His disciples’ feet (vv. 3–5). “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet,” He said (v. 14).

Jesus, the humble Servant and our example, cared for people: He healed the blind and sick, taught the good news of His kingdom, and gave His life for His friends. Because Christ loves you, ask Him who He wants you to serve this week.

REFLECTION: What about God’s love and compassion means the most to you? How can you use your gifts and talents to serve others?

PRAYER: Dear God, show me how to love others with the same love You have for me.

Our Daily Bread Devotional 6th April 2023 || ODB for Thursday Message . Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.

READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY