Morning Devotional 041822 Out of the Ashes

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

April 18, 2022

Read Psalm 121:1-8

1 I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. 3 God won’t let your foot slip. Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job. 4 No! Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests! 5 The LORD is your protector; the LORD is your shade right beside you. 6 The sun won’t strike you during the day; neither will the moon at night. 7 The LORD will protect you from all evil; God will protect your very life. 8 The LORD will protect you on your journeys whether going or coming from now until forever from now.

Good Morning, Hallelujah! We are Easter People!

As I awakened to the rain this morning, I took a moment to thank God. Certainly for the rain which replenishes our soil and cleans the air of the pollen, but I also thanked God for allowing me to serve a risen Savior. Easter Sunday can be a very long day in the life of a pastor, but oh my what a day filled with blessings it is. When I placed my weary head upon my pillow, my soul was still glowing from celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Hallelujah! Amen!

Psalm 121 is a favorite passage of many Christians. David reminds us that no matter what is going on in our lives that God is always with us. No matter where we go God will protect us. When I reflect upon my life, I see so many examples of God at work. There are so many loving mentors who have helped me along my journey. Without these saints to guide me, I could have never ended up where I am today.

We often don’t know where God is leading us or calling us, but when we give our lives to Christ we will never be alone. Praise be to God who gave his Son to die for all of our sins so that we might be saved. Two years ago I was facing the unimaginable realization that Lowell’s time on this earth was coming to an end. I tried to deny this by working to help him grow stronger so that he would overcome this illness. He fought a valiant battle to the very end. When Christ called him to his final victory, Christ called me to pick up his cross and preach the Word of God. …to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” Isaiah 61:3

There's within my heart a melody

Jesus whispers sweet and low:

Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,

in all of life's ebb and flow.

Refrain:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

sweetest name I know,

fills my every longing,

keeps me singing as I go.

Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. While we were yet sinners, You sent Your Son to die for us, so that we might have eternal life. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Even when my world collapses, God is with me.

Cover yourself with the oil of joy! Pastor Liz