Morning Devotional 011926 Guided By Love

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

January 19, 2026

Galatians 3:23-29

23 Before faith came, we were guarded under the Law, locked up until faith that was coming would be revealed, 24 so that the Law became our custodian until Christ so that we might be made righteous by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian. 26 You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.

Good Morning! We are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus.

Imagine a place and time where all God’s children can gather in their diversity and become one. We talk about being one in Christ, yet we still participate in a system where we categorize one another by our distinguishing marks: skin color, gender, race, and age. Even when we try to put aside those markers, we find other ways to segregate ourselves: tradition, culture, education, socioeconomics, and church denominations. 

Isn’t it funny how hard we work to set ourselves apart from others? When God calls us, and we answer in faith, God sets us apart to be the face of Christ for the world. As Jesus taught us, what others perceive us to be, based on our earthly standards, matters not. God calls us, even the perceived least among us and the ordinary, to be the light bearers for the world. 

Many are called, but few are chosen. The parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew reminds us that everyone gets the invitation to the kingdom, but only those who accept it with faith and obedience are truly saved. 

The community of faith is filled with diverse children of God who embody unique abilities that together strengthen the body of believers. 

Redeeming Lord, you bless us abundantly! We struggle with seeing others as God sees them. Open our eyes to a new perspective guided by love. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Community is formed when we recognize God in one another.

Embrace finding God in others! Pastor Liz