The fact that God communicates His love to us through acts of service can be seen in the words of the psalmist. Regarding pagan gods, the psalmist wrote, “Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell” (Psalm 115:4-6). They are impotent and have nothing to offer their followers.

In contrast, speaking of the God of Israel, he wrote, “O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield… the Lord remembers us and will bless us” (Psalm 115:9,12). Clearly, the God of Israel expressed His love by acts of service to those who called on Him.

As God’s people, you and your spouse can follow the Lord’s lead. Think about the people in your life to whom you can show acts of service. Who might benefit from your commitment to follow God’s example? How many lives can you change by reaching out to people in ways that make their lives easier? How can you be instruments of God’s grace? And how might the two of you grow closer in the process?

Take time to pray… and

Thank God for His acts of service on behalf of His people throughout the Bible;

Thank Him for His acts of service in your life and in your family;

Ask Him to bless your efforts to perform acts of service as a love language toward others.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

Why is it so easy to forget the Lord’s past acts of service?

How can you keep those acts of service fresh in your minds?

How can you set an example for your children (or others) through acts of service?

Read these passages for further study on Acts of Service:

Matthew 5:13-16

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.

Philippians 2:1-4

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

I Peter 4:10-11

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen!

Psalm 115:1-18

“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. All you Israelites, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115‬:‭1‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.115.1-18.NIV

Love the Lord who praises. Great thoughts of Gary Chapman. Use the talents the Lord gave you and bless others with your actions in how you serve the Lord.