Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
  February 9, 2024
Luke 12:22-34
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 There is more to life than food and more to the body than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither plant nor harvest, they have no silo or barn, yet God feeds them. You are worth so much more than birds! 25 Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? 26 If you can’t do such a small thing, why worry about the rest? 27 Notice how the lilies grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. 28 If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, how much more will God do for you, you people of weak faith! 29 Don’t chase after what you will eat and what you will drink. Stop worrying. 30 All the nations of the world long for these things. Your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, desire his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. 34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.
Good Morning! God Will Take Care of Us!
Most of us have struggled through times when our money was tight. We worried about how we would pay the bills and what new challenges tomorrow would bring. Slowly, we could put some money aside and get ahead for a bit, but then an unexpected expense would wipe out what we had saved. This did not deter our efforts because we had to provide for our children, who depended on us.Â
The funny thing is the children were often unaware of the financial struggles because the parents tightened their own belts so that the children's needs were met first. The family didn’t live extravagantly, but there was love to fill the gaps that the money couldn’t cover.Â
When God sent his Son to save us, we felt the love that came with the gift. We didn’t know that the cost would be Jesus’ life. God sacrificed his son so our needs would be met and we wouldn’t be left out of the family. The love of God continues to fill all our gaps. Praise be to God!
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. We are poor in spirit, but you continue to care for us. Thank you for the love that saves us. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Reminders of God’s enduring love surround us.
Feel the love! Pastor Liz