Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
September 13, 2022
Read: Romans 15:1-6
1 We who are powerful need to be patient with the weakness of those who don’t have power, and not please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good in order to build them up. 3 Christ didn’t please himself, but, as it is written, The insults of those who insulted you fell on me. 4 Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude. 6 That way you can glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ together with one voice.
Good morning! Raise up someone in need!
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
We are called to be servants as we love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love others as ourselves. When we see someone in need, there are many choices that can be made. We can ignore their need as the Pharisee and the Scribe in the parable of the Good Samaritan. We can push them down further when we use them as a stepping stone to cross a muddy path. We can give them the help they require and raise them up to meet their challenges. WWJD?
You might be thinking I would never ignore the cry of the needy or I would never use someone else to elevate myself, but do we put ourselves in a place where we see the needy? If we always stay in our safe zones, we will never see what Jesus sees. Jesus walked among the sinners, the outcasts, and the needy. He saw their need because it surrounded him. Jesus knows our needs because he is by our side. The world is filled with evil and we do not feel safe wandering into certain neighborhoods, so we put on our blinders and block out the needs of others.
WWJD? There are so many that we can help in our own communities. We can share our abundant blessings with the needy. In sharing both the giver and receiver are blessed. When you raise up someone who is needy and you will see love grow within.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Thank you for our blessings. We spend too much time ignoring others. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts so that we may see the needs of others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When you don’t know what to do to help, pray to God to show you.
Who can you raise up? Pastor Liz