Morning Devotional 072723 Focus on God

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

July 27, 2023

Psalm 100:1-5

1 Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Serve the LORD with celebration! Come before him with shouts of joy! 3 Know that the LORD is God he made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his own pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanks; enter his courtyards with praise! Thank him! Bless his name! 5 Because the LORD is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation.

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Good Morning, Even the stones shall sing his praise!

On the Upper Room website, they use the Common English Bible for their translation. Generally, I appreciate reading the passages in this translation because sometimes I can glean some new-found richness to the text. However, there are those passages where I long for the KJV poetic language. Today’s passage is one of those. When I saw Psalm 100, I was ready for a song of praise, and that is what I found, but I needed to read my familiar shouts of praise, so I included both for your reading.

I am in Indiana for a quick family visit. I always enjoy my time with my family. Still, I have discovered that during those group visits that while the conversation is very lively, it isn’t the time for those special purposeful conversations with individuals. Before coming, I decided that I wanted to create opportunities for more purposeful conversations with individuals. I am blessed by the time that we have spent together. These special sharing times have allowed us to grow closer to one another.

We need to create special time with God as well. When we worship together, we approach God one way, and we are lifted up by the joy and love that the group generates. A part of a relationship needs to include our individual purposeful time when we can share our most intimate thoughts. This allows us to humble ourselves and be vulnerable. In these precious moments, we can become focused solely on God, and we will grow closer. In our times of trouble, we cling to those we know. When we know God, we will find the peace we seek.

Loving God, We thank you! You are waiting to spend time with us! Sometimes we forget to check-in. Thank you for always being ready for our call.Thank you! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: How much quality time do I give God every day?

Talk to God! Pastor Liz