Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 3, 2023
Matthew 10:37-42
37 “Those who love father or mother more than me aren’t worthy of me. Those who love son or daughter more than me aren’t worthy of me. 38 Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me. 39 Those who find their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives because of me will find them. 40 “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. 41 Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”
Good Morning; God will take care of you!
Answering God’s call is hard. At first reading, verse 37 seems contrary to God’s commandments to love our mothers and fathers and to love one another. Is Jesus saying that we shouldn’t love our parents or our children? No, of course not! While we are certain to love those nearest and dearest to us, this affection must not rise above our love for the Lord Jesus.
One of our human frailties is the tendency to make “Gods” or idols of the things and the people we love. When we become parents, our children light up our lives; if we are not careful, they become the center of our existence. If our every thought and breath is consumed with our children, when do we have time for God? I have seen parents put their lives on hold to hover over their child’s every moment.
This is a fine line. We must embrace and savor the precious moments with our children because they grow into adults quickly, but we must not place our relationship with God on hold during this or any time. When we start with God as our foundation, our lives as children and parents will be blessed. God will be with us and with our loved ones as we journey throughout our lives.
God calls us to serve! Jesus shows us the way as he lights our path! The Holy Spirit within us contains the power needed to answer God’s calling. When God calls, answer boldly, “Here I am, Lord. I will go where you send me!”
Loving God, We thank you for Your blessings. We hear you calling us in the night, but we fail to act upon your call. Help us to trust and go where you lead us. We Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When God calls me to serve, I will trust God’s promises and follow.
Is it I, Lord? Pastor Liz
Comments