Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 6, 2022
Read Luke 12:1-12
1 When a crowd of thousands upon thousands had gathered so that they were crushing each other, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples: “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees—I mean, the mismatch between their hearts and lives. 2 Nothing is hidden that won’t be revealed, and nothing is secret that won’t be brought out into the open. 3 Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and whatever you have whispered in the rooms deep inside the house will be announced from the rooftops. 4 “I tell you, my friends, don’t be terrified by those who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more. 5 I’ll show you whom you should fear: fear the one who, after you have been killed, has the authority to throw you into hell. Indeed, I tell you, that’s the one you should fear. 6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is overlooked by God. 7 Even the hairs on your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. 8 “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before humans, the Human One will acknowledge before God’s angels. 9 But the one who rejects me before others will be rejected before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks a word against the Human One will be forgiven, but whoever insults the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what you should say. 12 The Holy Spirit will tell you at that very moment what you must say.”
Good morning! We are protected by the Holy Spirit!
I am continually in awe of God’s mysterious ways. Just a couple of days ago, I was filled with a need to sing His Eye is On the Sparrow, and today’s passage lifts up the sparrow. God is at work constantly connecting the threads of our existence to one another and to Christ.
What powerful words when Luke says to watch out for the mismatch between the lives and the words of the Pharisees. As Christians, we can not lead a “do as I say, not as I do” lifestyle. We are called to be authentic, living, breathing, models of Christ for all the world to see. Do we make mistakes and have challenges with our calling? Of course, we do because we are humans and are given to the frailty that is within us.
Our goal is to move closer to Christ, step by step, over the days, months, and years of our lives. We will not reach our perfection until we join again with Christ. We must lovingly and faithfully journey along our pathway. When we falter, Christ will be there to pick us up or even carry us until we can again walk for ourselves. As we work to authenticate our lives in Christ, we will share the joy and love that Christ gave to us with all we meet.
God made each of us, uniquely and intricately woven from within the womb, to carry out our mission to make disciples of all the world. As evidenced when Luke lifts up the seemingly unworthy sparrows for which God cares, God cares for each of us, his children. “For His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He cares for me!” God doesn't make junk despite our own ideas of our worthiness for such unconditional love! Accept Christ and believe in the beauty within yourself.
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We sometimes think that we are not worthy of Your love and attention, but through the workings of the Holy Spirit, our true selves will be revealed. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Even when I feel unimportant, God declares that I am of great worth.
All Are Worthy! Pastor Liz
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