Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
February 9, 2022
Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 Although I’m free from all people, I make myself a slave to all people, to recruit more of them. 20 I act like a Jew to the Jews, so I can recruit Jews. I act like I’m under the Law to those under the Law, so I can recruit those who are under the Law (though I myself am not under the Law). 21 I act like I’m outside the Law to those who are outside the Law, so I can recruit those outside the Law (though I’m not outside the law of God but rather under the law of Christ). 22 I act weak to the weak, so I can recruit the weak. I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means. 23 All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it.
Good Morning! Make me a Servant!
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today
In this world, there are so many people, and each is unique to their own being. Christ calls us to go out into the world and make disciples. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations [people], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19.
Not those who look like us or think like us: all people. As Jesus walked this earth humbly serving all, we too are to humble ourselves so that all may be gathered together.
It is easy to talk the talk, but so much harder to walk the walk. Many spend their lives working to gain earthly power and status stepping on anyone or anything that stands in their way. The Pharisees had spent years developing their network of power through which they oppressed the undeserving and reaped the benefits of their reign of superiority.
They didn’t understand that the way to true power, God’s power, was to humble yourself before God and every living being. Only when we turn our lives over to God will we find the strength to follow our call to serve God. In our freedom from sin, we enslave ourselves to serve God’s children.
In the earthly understanding of power, this seems convoluted. Why would anyone want to humble themself and serve God? I just want power and money and status, and I will work to get this at any cost. Sadly, the cost of this desire is your soul. Matthew 19:24 "I'll say it again-it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of A needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" The more earthly status that one gains, the more difficult it becomes to walk away from that life and follow Christ. It’s not impossible, but it is difficult.
When we humble ourselves to God, we are filled with peace. Through this peace, we want to bring everyone into the community of faith to celebrate and feast together.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. We often don’t understand your ways, but we work to follow as Peter did, “if You say so, I will go.” In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: By humbling myself to serve others, I can be God’s blessing to many.
Be someone’s strength today! Pastor Liz
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