Morning Devotional 040126 Which Do You Choose?

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

April 1, 2026

Romans 8:1-6

1 So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 God has done what was impossible for the Law, since it was weak because of selfishness. God condemned sin in the body by sending his own Son to deal with sin in the same body as humans, who are controlled by sin. 4 He did this so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us. Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness. 5 People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. 6 The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace.

Good Morning! Choose life and peace!

These words of Paul echo Moses’ words to the Israelites in Deuteronomy. 

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 30:15 presents a stark choice for the Israelites: life and prosperity (good) or death and destruction (evil). As part of Moses’ final address, he urges the people to choose life by loving God, walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments.

The choice has always been before us. Live with God and be blessed. The problem comes when we think we know what is best for our lives and decide we can live life on our own. This plan works for a while, but then the storms come, and we begin to sink into the depths. We panic and make poor choices that lead to worse ones until we are utterly lost in despair. 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Psalm 130:1

Our God is loving, merciful, and compassionate! Even when we turn away from God because of our arrogance and foolishness. God is always there waiting for us to turn back and choose life and peace. 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! How can we thank you enough? Despite our human character flaws, you love us and offer us peace. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Spend time with God, who loves you today.

The choice is ours: life and blessings or death and curses!  Pastor Liz