Morning Devotional 031925 Flawed! Forgiven! Loved!

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  March 19, 2025

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. 10 Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Good Morning. We are the heirs of God! Hallelujah!

By the grace of God . . . 

All that we have been, all that are now, and all that we will become in the future comes from God! God created us, sent his Son to save us, and filled us with the Holy Spirit at our baptism. 

Most of you probably remember the story of Pinocchio and Geppetto. Geppetto, a great toy maker, created the puppet Pinocchio. Of course, a puppet cannot move without the puppetmaster pulling its strings. Everything Pinocchio does is under Geppetto's direct control. Geppetto, who has never had a son, wishes for Pinocchio to become a real boy. Geppetto's wish is granted with the magic that fills fictional tales, and the real story begins. 

When he becomes a real boy, Pinocchio has choices to make, and with choices come consequences. Pinocchio is led astray and encounters all kinds of challenges that put him and his father, Geppetto, in danger. Pinocchio chooses to give his life to save his father, who, in return, has learned the true meaning of love. 

God is not a puppetmaster pulling our strings. God blesses us with free will, which gives us the freedom to make choices, which, of course, come with consequences. Like Pinocchio, we begin by simply being happy with all God provides for us, but then we feel the pull of Satan to go out and try these other things. 

God’s children become so lost and broken that God sent his son, Jesus, to die for us, for our sins, so that we might be saved and have eternal life. In the moment of Jesus' death and resurrection, the true meaning of love is revealed. Not a momentary, conditional love for those who follow all the rules, but an unconditional, no matter what, love that is available to all who proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

God, our creator, rejoices and welcomes us with open arms when we choose to come home. 

Loving Lord, Maker of all things!  O God, we are sinful and stubborn. We think we know and can handle everything. Thank you for loving us despite our flaws. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: God provides for our needs!

Flawed, Forgiven! Loved! Pastor Liz