Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
February 22, 2024
John 12:20-29
20 Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human One to be glorified. 24 I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me. 27 “Now I am deeply troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? No, for this is the reason I have come to this time. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard and said, “It’s thunder.” Others said, “An angel spoke to him.”
Good Morning! Glory to God in the Highest!
As we begin to transition to a new growing season, there are many signs of God to discover. When the new sprouts start to peak from under the soil, I’m like a kid in a candy shop. I bounce from place to place, looking for the signs of life. I’m especially amazed by those that multiply during their dormancy and come back double in size and strength.
Daffodils are some of my favorite spring flowers. They bloom and stay strong for longer than most of the spring bulbs. When the blooms finally fade away, the foliage begins the task of gathering nutrients from the sun and soil. Without this work, the plant would not produce the beautiful yellow flowers the next spring.
Our time with God is like the time when the foliage begins its work. We must read Scripture, pray, spend time with God, and worship with the faith community. All of these things nourish our souls so that we are ready to bloom when our time comes. Without nourishment, we become weak and eventually fade away. When the work is done, we come back stronger and ready to work to be fruitful and multiply the believers. With each season, our numbers grow until all are saved.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Like the beautiful daffodils, we need time to renourish so that we may shine brightly for the world to see Your glory. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I rejoice in God, who has given me new life through redemptive love.
Prepare to Shine! Pastor Liz