Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
March 19, 2022
Read Matthew 6:1-4
1 “Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. 3 But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing 4 so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.
Good Morning, Thank you for the birds that sing; thank you God for everything!
Oh, what a joy I found as I ventured outside this morning. I was immediately surrounded by a symphony of bird sounds that was so intricate that it would challenge the best of musical theorists. I heard complex rhythms, great crescendos filling the air followed by beautiful soloists taking the lead. My heart sang along as I listened to this special concert.
Why do we do things for others? I’m sure there are a variety of reasons depending upon the needs that are presented before us. I am inclined to quote John Wesley who said, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."
In Wesley’s way of thinking, the good that he describes would be a direct response to the blessings that we receive. We act because action is needed, not to show others how good we are, but to provide a needed service. Remember how good it feels when you can surprise someone by taking care of something that they need without being asked or without their knowledge.
Being a joyful servant of God requires that we open ourselves: our hearts, our eyes, our minds so that we become aware of what is going on around us in the lives of others. In our openness, we take a risk as we become vulnerable, but through these risks are great opportunities. The one thing that is certain is that when we sit and do nothing or when we cower in fear, nothing changes. God will not lead you into a mess and then abandon you. God provides us with guidance, calls us to action, and promises to always be by our side. Selfless acts of kindness provide blessings to both the giver and the receiver.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. In taking risks, we must trust in you. This is hard for us. Help lead us where you want us to be, and may we feel your love and strength surrounding us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Doing good deeds is rewarding, no matter who knows of my actions.
Take action! Pastor Liz
I love hearing the birds again as they return. I heard a crow squawking desperately and looked up to see what was bothering it. What a beautiful sight I saw, a bald eagle flying across the sky.