Morning Devotional 040925 Serve with Love

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  April 9, 2025

James 2:14-17

14 My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? 15 Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. 16 What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? 17 In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.

Good Morning. Faith requires action!

Jesus meets us where we are. If our most pressing need requires physical assistance, then that is where he begins. For those who are ready to move into the spiritual realm, that is where Jesus starts. 

Many things in our lives require “jumping through hoops.” For this method to work, the first hoops must be low enough that we can make it through them. For example, come to church on Sunday. This is a simple task with limited expectations.

Imagine if the first hoop were leading public prayer or preaching. Even if that is where God would eventually call us, most of us would slink back out the door if that happened the first time we walked through the door. God provides for our needs in that first moment and slowly nurtures us into the being that he created. 

The challenge for us when a new person comes is to give them some space to become comfortable in the space. It is a fine line; however, we don’t want to bombard them and scare them away, but we don’t want to give them so much space that they feel ignored. 

The other challenge is that what feels comfortable to one person may feel like neglect to another. We should be hospitable but not pushy. When we encounter someone in need, we must first meet their immediate physical needs, and then when those are met, we can begin feeding that person's spiritual being. 

Loving Lord, Maker of all things! Help us see people as brothers and sisters, not as numbers, to increase our church rolls. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Show the love of God to those you meet!

Offer food and drink to all who hunger! Pastor Liz