Morning Devotional 050426 Held By God's Love

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

May 4, 2026

Ephesians 4:29-32

²⁹ Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. ³⁰ Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. ³¹ Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. ³² Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ. 

Good Morning! God forgives us in Christ

I believe that most people do not intentionally hurt others, so why is evil taking center stage in our world? If I stop and think about when I am most likely to fall into attack mode, I recognize that it is when I have failed to start my day with God. 

We are weary and overwhelmed when our daily lives are chaotic and filled with trigger-inducing stimuli. We’re minding our own business, driving to work or the store, and someone unexpectedly cuts us off. How do we react?  Do we say something bad, honk our horns, or are we compassionate? I dare say that it depends on where your heart is centered. WWJD? Would Jesus shout at the driver in anger, or would he forgive him for his actions? 

Just as God forgives us, we are called to forgive one another. Sometimes, we lapse into that “it’s not fair” mentality, but I say forgive them anyway. 1 Peter 2:9-10 reminds us, “⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 

In all things, err on the side of love, mercy, and compassion because God loved us first so that we might love and be loved by others. 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! Hold us tightly so that we might feel your love today. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Share God’s love by caring for and supporting others. 

In all things, love God and love one another!  Pastor Liz