Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
July 20, 2021
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Good Morning! Again I say rejoice!
I am on the road this morning! As I prepare for a long-needed time away, I am taking time to thank God for everyone and everything in my life. No matter how hard life seems to be, God is always there to help us. We are called to live in peace with each other, we are called to love and support one another, and to be there when our brothers and sisters need us. Within the community of faith, life ebbs and flows like a mighty river flowing to the sea. We move forward on our path stretching to meet our tasks, but sometimes we have to step back and rest for a moment so that we can be rejuvenated and regain our strength. When I travel, I sense the excitement for what I may discover, but I am anxious for the journey as well. Vacations seem to be mini-excursions in our journey, a diversion in our journey through which we rest from our everyday tasks. This is not to say vacations are a time of rest, for often they are tiring, but they are a time away,
Verses 16-18 have sustained me through many times in my life, but especially this past year. Months ago when I accepted my call to share the word, I adopted a mantra of joy. The joy of my Lord is my strength in all things. Tomorrow is an important milestone in my life. I can’t believe that a whole year has passed. What a difference a year can make! As I maintain my commitment to celebrating joy, I will celebrate all that is good: today, tomorrow, and forevermore.
I leave you today with Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. Help me respond to your love by sharing the light of the world with all, when I am at home and when I am on vacation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Living a life in service to God brings joy.
Rejoice always! Pray continually! Give thanks for all things! Pastor Liz
Journey mercies!