Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 18, 2022
Read Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? 27 Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. 29 But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. 30 If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, won’t God do much more for you, you people of weak faith? 31 Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32 Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Good morning! Relieve yourself of worry! Trust God!
For my regular readers, you know this theme occurs repeatedly in my devotions. God gave each of us a brain and made us into unique beings! With our remarkable brains, we have great abilities to think. Yet somehow for all of the knowledge that we acquire in our lives through our experiences and especially through our failures, wisdom often alludes us. Refining wisdom is a lifelong process during which we learn many things including what we should let go to God.
A few years ago, there was a popular book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff”. I have not read this, or any of the subsequent titles, but Jesus tells us that we should turn over all our troubles to God: large and small. Instead of focusing on the negative thoughts that fill us with disgust, we are to focus on all that is lovely, righteous, and pure.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 Imagine yourself where you are so filled with goodness that there is no room for the evil that resides within us.
Last night I was privileged to walk before the Virginia Annual Conference to confirm my role as a Licensed Local Pastor. Because of the Pandemic cancelling in-person celebrations, the classes of 2020 and 2021 were recognized in the Service of Licensing, Commissioning, and Ordination. What a true blessing to sit among my fellow clergy who are answering their call to serve. Tears of blessing were freely flowing as I reaffirmed my call and commitment to serving Christ. Hallelujah! Amen!
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. You fill our world with righteous wisdom. May we learn to gravitate toward the wisdom awaiting our discernment. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is strong enough to handle all my worries!
Let go and trust God! Pastor Liz
Congratulations! And Phil 4:8 is one my favorite often quoted verses. Makes me remember what’s important. Also, I have “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” if you want to read it. 😊