Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 25, 2022
Read Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. 14 And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be a thankful people. 16 The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.
Good morning! Let everything you do be done in the name of the Lord!
This passage contains the essence of what it means to be a Christian. When we embrace the fullness of living like Christ, the peace of Christ will control our hearts. To walk as Christ walked means that love is the lens through which our thoughts, words, and deeds are directed.
I think that many times our first instinct when we encounter those who are not like us is not an approach of love, but an approach of wariness. We ask ourselves who this person is and how I should respond to them. Then, over time, when we get to know them, we learn to “love” them.
Imagine if God or Jesus waited to get to know us before bestowing their love upon us as if loving us comes as the result of “passing the test”. How many of us would “pass”? Sadly, most of us would fail because we are sinners and without the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord we do not measure up.
We serve a mighty God who loves us as we are and sent Jesus so that we might be saved from our human frailties. When we call Christ our Lord and Savior, we are given the gift of salvation. Hallelujah! Thanks be to God! Are there enough ways to thank God for this gift? No, but we can begin by praising God and giving thanks to God as we become servants working to share this love, grace, and mercy with the world.
As servants of Christ, we are called to turn over our worry, anxiety, and control to God. Only when we release these things can we be fully filled with the peace of Christ. How many more restless nights will we endure? Let the love of Christ be in control and you can sleep soundly knowing that you are loved and protected by your Creator.
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We can’t say thank you enough for the gift of salvation. May we continue to develop our walk of faith centered in love. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will try to control less and trust God more.
Trust God! Pastor Liz
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