Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
February 6, 2023
Read Revelation 21:1-5
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Good Morning, This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
God is with us and God is making all things new! Today is February 6, 2023. Just a little over a month ago, we were celebrating a new year full of new hope and new possibilities. It is often a time when people write or create New Year’s resolutions as they dream of all that could be. February often marks the abandonment of these resolutions because things aren’t working out as we expected. We say, “it’s too hard to . . .” or “I’m too busy . . .”. Sometimes our resolutions fade away without us even being cognizant of letting go of our plan.
The beginning of this new year has certainly brought unexpected challenges to us as Christians. Some have had health problems while others have experienced other losses for which they were unprepared. In times like these we must ask ourselves, are we Christians? If so, do we truly trust in God’s power to resurrect, or do we allow sin and shame to defeat us?
It is easy to get discouraged when we consider our challenges. If we focus on the times that we have failed and the evil that we see working around us, we will succumb to the hopelessness that exists in the darkness. We are Resurrection people! Within us lies the same power that raised Christ from the grave! Hallelujah! We must claim the hope of a new day by humbling ourselves before God as we lay all our burdens down at the foot of the cross. God’s love. power. and grace will prevail over our temporary challenges.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. With God, we will overcome all that evil and this world throws at us. This is a new day and a new life. There will be new blessings, new trials, new failures, and new victories, but his goodness will guard them all.
Loving God, Thank You for being with us. We are your children! Help us focus on all that is pure and holy. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God fulfills his promises to us, the children of God.
Look to the Son! Pastor Liz