Morning Devotional 040322 Glimpses of Glory

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

April 3, 2022

Read Genesis 28:1-6

10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and set out for Haran. 11 He reached a certain place and spent the night there. When the sun had set, he took one of the stones at that place and put it near his head. Then he lay down there. 12 He dreamed and saw a raised staircase, its foundation on earth and its top touching the sky, and God’s messengers were ascending and descending on it. 13 Suddenly the LORD was standing on it and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will become like the dust of the earth; you will spread out to the west, east, north, and south. Every family of earth will be blessed because of you and your descendants. 15 I am with you now, I will protect you everywhere you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done everything that I have promised you.” 16 When Jacob woke from his sleep, he thought to himself, The LORD is definitely in this place, but I didn’t know it.

Good Morning, Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

As I read this passage this morning, I am thinking of times when I have been moved by sensing the presence of God. Maybe as we mature as Christians, we become more attuned to the feeling. I can remember special times as a teenager like retreats and special events when I felt especially moved by God’s presence. My life as a young adult was such a whirlwind that I honestly don’t remember specific times of feeling God, but I never felt abandoned by God. Maybe in all of the chaos known as life, I just didn’t have time to sort out those feelings.

God blessed me with the gift of music and I feel God’s presence most often when involved in music whether I’m playing or listening to others. I remember so many times when I have been moved to tears while listening to music. The tears come at unexpected moments as melodies and harmonies intertwine to touch my soul. Each time I play, I thank God for the music that he placed in my heart and in my life.

When I accepted my call to preach the Word, I felt God speaking to me and assuring me that he would fill my heart with Words to share. Each week, as I prepare my sermons, I know that God is there leading my thoughts and helping me to discern meaning. Each Sunday is a special love fest with God as I lead others in the study of God’s Word. When the services are completed, I feel exhausted and blessed for our special time together. I pray that each of your days may be filled with the feelings of love and peace that come from God.

Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Lord, you have blessed each of us in a special way. May we never lose sight of Your love and mercy as we celebrate life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Today I will focus my attention on what God is doing in my life.

Live! Pray! Rejoice! Pastor Liz