Morning Devotional 042925 Rejoice and Be Glad

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  April 29, 2025

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

7 But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. 8 We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. 9 We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out. 10 We always carry Jesus’ death around in our bodies so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies. 11 We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies that are dying. 12 So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 We have the same faithful spirit as what is written in scripture: I had faith, and so I spoke. We also have faith, and so we also speak. 14 We do this because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and he will bring us into his presence along with you. 15 All these things are for your benefit. As grace increases to benefit more and more people, it will cause gratitude to increase, which results in God’s glory. 16 So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. 17 Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. 18 We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.

Good Morning. Our God is an Awesome God!

God makes all things possible. Each challenge we face creates growth. Each experience creates new connections from which infinite possibilities bloom. 

When I look back at my life, I think, “How did I end up here?” It would be amazing to revisit the critical elements of life that I have experienced or endured, and connect the dots that make up my faith journey. What fascinating landscapes God generates for each of us. 

To examine our lives from the perspective of the other side of the event, instead of in the midst of it. When we are in the midst of the challenge, all our energy is devoted to enduring, but seeing the results of the challenge allows us to say, “Oh, now I get it!” 

Perhaps, the seeing comes when we join with God in our eternal home. For now, we must focus on the things that can’t be seen because those things are eternal. For each act of love, kindness, and service, a stockpile is being stored in heaven, honoring God’s glory.

Loving Lord, Maker of all things! In Christ alone, do we find our way to you. Thank you for sending your son to find us. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are renewed.

In all things, rejoice and Be Glad! Pastor Liz