Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 3, 2023
Read 1 Thessalonians 5-16-24
16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray continually. 18 Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t suppress the Spirit. 20 Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, 21 but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming. 24 The one who is calling you is faithful and will do this.
Good Morning, Hang on to what is good!
As many of you know, verses 16-18 are among those to which I set my course. Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks for everything are words to guide us through our daily lives. Each of these directions has its own challenges, but the one that causes me the most challenge is to give thanks in every situation. In my younger years, I was often reactionary. By this, I mean when something didn’t go my way, my first response was to react harshly or poorly. After a bit, my emotions would mellow, and I could consider the issue more rationally.
I would love to say that I no longer have these reactions, but they still pop up occasionally. These emotional outbreaks come less often and are much less intense than they previously were, but it is still one of the thorns in my side. By God's grace and the Holy Spirit's work, I continue to grow into this calling to give thanks in everything.
This morning the words “hang on to what is good” in verse 21 are speaking to me. As I listen to God this morning, I realize that often we hang on to what is bad. How many times do we harbor bad feelings that we have for someone or something? When we hold these feelings, they fester and grow until they cannot be contained. I can remember when a small trigger resulted in a huge response. This happens because that splinter of evil exerts pressure as it grows and can’t wait to burst from beneath the surface.
Through joyful living and prayer, I am working to turn these worries and anxieties over to Christ. I find peace and joy when I discard what is bad and hang on to what is good. Imagine filling your closet with clothes that you don’t like. How would you feel when you opened the door to find something to wear? Now think of how you feel when everything in the closet brings you joy. God calls us to hang on to what is good and dedicate our lives to walking as Christ taught us to do.
Blessed God, We thank you for Your blessings. Help me toss out that which is evil and hold tightly to that which is good. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Even when I struggle, God never gives up on me.
Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks! Pastor Liz
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