Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
February 2, 2022
Read Psalm 100:1-5
1 Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Serve the LORD with celebration! Come before him with shouts of joy! 3 Know that the LORD is God he made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his own pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanks; enter his courtyards with praise! Thank him! Bless his name! 5 Because the LORD is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation.
Good Morning! Speak. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
When we consider the gifts with which we have been blessed, we should be unable to contain our joy and gratitude. It should come pouring out of us as if we had just won a prize like to see on the game shows. Pure, unadulterated joy!
As I am working through my first class of seminary, we are examining theology and doctrine. We read, discuss, and wrestle with historical context across the denominations. After John Wesley was enlightened and realized that our salvation was a gift from God, not something that we could work to earn, Wesley worked to transform the understanding of those within his church.
Wesley saw church members who were sitting and waiting for something wonderful to happen. He encouraged people to come and meet in small groups so that they could embrace their gifts from God and allow the Holy Spirit to begin their transformation. Wesley was on fire for the Lord and was working to ignite the kindling within others.
Each printing of the UM hymnal includes John Wesley's Rules of Singing which remind us to not appear half-asleep, to sing with courage, and to sing spiritually as we consider the message contained within the lyrics. It’s funny how all these years later, the very people that Wesley worked to energize are sometimes called “sleepy” Methodists.
This morning and every morning we should thank God for everything: our blessings and our challenges. As we prepare for our days, we should clothe ourselves with the love and mercy of God so that when we step into the world joy seeps out of our bodies. Walk with confidence, child of God! Let the love of God shine through you!
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. We are grateful, but sometimes we are uncomfortable with allowing the fire to burn within us. We worry that some might think that we are “crazy”, or worse they might ask us to talk about You. Help us show the world Your love and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will worship God with joy and thanksgiving.
Listen to the melody of joy in your heart! Pastor Liz
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