Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 18, 2023
Read Psalm 145:9-20
9 The LORD is good to everyone and everything; God’s compassion extends to all his handiwork!” 10 All that you have made gives thanks to you, LORD; all your faithful ones bless you! 11 They speak of the glory of your kingdom; they talk all about your power, 12 to inform all human beings about God’s power and the majestic glory of God’s kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingship that lasts forever; your rule endures for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all that he says, faithful in all that he does. 14 The LORD supports all who fall down, straightens up all who are bent low. 15 All eyes look to you, hoping, and you give them their food right on time, 16 opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, faithful in all his deeds. 18 The LORD is close to everyone who calls out to him, to all who call out to him sincerely. 19 God shows favor to those who honor him, listening to their cries for help and saving them. 20 The LORD protects all who love him, but he destroys every wicked person.
Good Morning, Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Admittedly, I know that sometimes I ask a question and forget to listen for the answer. I’m guessing that this happens to most of us. It is especially hard to have this discourse in a busy place. Sometimes I am distracted by one of the passing squirrels, but what about when the answer is not what we expected to hear? Do we really not hear, or do we not understand? I have found myself saying, “Hey I know I already asked this, but can you please tell me again.”
It is likely that most of us have the same problem when talking to God. Do we ask questions and forget to listen for the answer? This is especially hard when the answer isn’t immediate. As we, as a society, have progressed technologically, so many things are at our fingertips. When we want an answer, we simply Google it, and immediately we have a response. We live in an instantaneous time. Our modern conveniences allow us to cook, clean, and be entertained in the blink of an eye. There are only a few things for which we have to wait.
God is with us always and is waiting for us to share our lives with Him. God has a plan for our lives that He reveals as we are ready. God’s ways are not our ways and God’s time is not our time. When we ask questions, or when we seek knowledge, do we purposefully listen for an answer, or does our mind move to something else? Do we recognize God’s answer when it is not what we wanted or expected to hear?
We continue to be a work in progress! God isn’t finished with us yet! As the Holy Spirit works within us to shape and mold us, we are slowly transforming. As we mature in our faith, I pray that we learn to listen to God’s answers to our prayers. For now, find a time and place where you can commune with God without distraction. You will be blessed by this precious time that you spend together.
Loving God, Thank You for being with us. Help us to slow down and experience Your presence in our lives. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is always willing to talk with me. Am I willing to listen?
Listen, God is speaking! Pastor Liz
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