Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
March 17, 2023
Read Matthew 6:8-13
8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask. 9 Pray like this: Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. 10 Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. 11 Give us the bread we need for today. 12 Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. 13 And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you don’t forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Good Morning, Take time to be holy!
The first translation of the Lord’s prayer is from the Common English Bible, and the second is from the New International Version. I like to look at different ways to say what we have prayed countless times in our lives.
I have spent the last three months reading about the church of the 2nd through 7th centuries. One of the things that filled our readings was the establishment of monastic life as men and women felt led to abandon their earthly possessions and focus on God. Some joined with others who shared this calling, while others would choose solitude and live a very basic life out in the desert by themselves.
On very busy days or times in our lives, we might find ourselves longing for a simpler way through which we have fewer pulls and tugs on our being. I remember a time when I was working crazy hours as a McDonald’s manager, Lowell was in prototype training and working crazy hours in the Navy, and we had 3 wonderful boys with whom I wanted to spend more time. I actually picked out a remote island to which I would like to move. I remembered how Gilligan and the passengers of the USS Minnow figured out how to survive with none of the modern conveniences that we feel we must have. Now we have reality shows that take survival in remote places to a whole new level.
Sorry, I went down a deep rabbit hole! Let’s get back to the monks and a simpler life. I appreciate their focus on holy living, and God calls some to this lifestyle. I am called to serve God’s children, first as a teacher and now as a pastor. Jesus taught us by his example that to serve means we must go to those we are called to serve. We must get our hands dirty and meet God’s children where they are and bring them to God.
I feel called to lead others through my words and my actions. Though I sometimes stumble, I choose the carry the cross of Christ and allow the light to shine through me to bring as many as I can on the path of faith to eternal life. Along this journey, we must take time to rest and refuel through prayer, reading of Scripture, and worshipping together at the table of our Lord. Let’s move forward together as we praise and thank God for each step we take. He keeps me singing as I go!
Knowing God, Thank You for being with us. Thank you! You are great and worthy of our praise! Help us to listen as you call us home. Thank You In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is at work in all things.
Walk in faith! Pastor Liz
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