Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 22, 2023
Romans 8:18-30
18 I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. 20 Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. 23 And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. 24 We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? 25 But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. 26 In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans. 27 The one who searches hearts knows how the Spirit thinks because he pleads for the saints, consistent with God’s will. 28 We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 We know this because God knew them in advance, and he decided in advance that they would be conformed to the image of his Son. That way his Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters. 30 Those who God decided in advance would be conformed to his Son, he also called. Those whom he called, he also made righteous. Those whom he made righteous, he also glorified.
Good Morning, Lord; prepare us to be a sanctuary!
28 We know that God works all things together for good for those who love God and those who are called according to his purpose.
We proclaim the Gospel message, but do we really believe what we say? If we do, why do we still have worries and doubts? We have this innate need to know everything. We think, “If God would just let me see the big picture, then I would believe.” We spend much time being “Thomas” in our faith journey. God allows us glimpses along the way, which help, but if we could only blindly follow Jesus, our lives would be filled with beauty and joy.
We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? 25 But if we hope for what we don’t see, we patiently await it. Well, there is another problem. Patiently waiting is hard!
We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. When we proclaim Jesus, Lord and Savior, we are blessed with the hope of eternal life. We must give ourselves the grace to give everything else to God! When we do this, we are filled with the peace of Christ. The peace that feels like a cool breeze on a hot, sticky day or a cool sip of water when your throat is parched. Release your worries and be blessed!
Loving God, We thank you! You bless us each day. We struggle to let go and have faith in your plan. Help us see the light. Thank you! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: What prevents me from relying on God’s strength today?
Seek Christ! Pastor Liz
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