Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
July 14, 2021
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray continually. 18 Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t suppress the Spirit. 20 Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, 21 but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming. 24 The one who is calling you is faithful and will do this.
Good Morning! Again I say rejoice!
Hallelujah! The humidity is down just a bit this morning and breathing comes easier. What great reminders from Paul: rejoice always, pray continually. Look for the good and avoid the evil! I am inspired by verses 20-21 this morning. Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. Sometimes we are too quick to dismiss thoughts as insignificant or impossible. We must always remember that through Christ who strengthens us, we can do all things. Philippians 4:13
I have always considered myself to be a glass-half-full kind of person, but occasionally I have lapsed into the glass-half-empty persona. Regardless of what is happening in our lives, there is good to be found when we sift through all of the debris. When I feel myself looking at the problem and not the solution, I remember a phrase from my childhood Sunday school teacher: God doesn’t make junk! With that thought front and center, I am called to look again and find the goodness that may be masked by years of neglect or sadness.
When we accept our calling to follow Jesus, we must never lose sight that God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s time is not our time. As we journey along our river of life, we will be presented with so many opportunities to share God’s love and mercy. How can we become like the good samaritan and care for our brothers, sisters, and even our enemies as we see someone in need? We must be ready to endure many challenges as we sing and dance through the rapids that cause disturbances in the water. Live for today, for we do not know what tomorrow will bring: celebrate, pray, and give thanks in all things for everything that God makes is GOOD!
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. Sometimes we forget to look for the good, we only see the problems. Help us to allow the Holy Spirit to inspire us with messages of love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Listen to the Holy Spirit whisperings and search for goodness.
Don’t stand on the bank, wade in the water of life! Pastor Liz