Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
July 30, 2021
Read 1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. 8 Above all, show sincere love to each other because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. 9 Open your homes to each other without complaining. 10 And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts. 11 Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.
Good Morning! Serve our Lord with Joy!
We have so many choices to make in our lives. Some of our choices make us happy, and others make us sad. As adults, at some point, most of us choose a vocation that often fills a major part of our lives. The choices are as broad and varied as there are people. How we feel about our job is quite evident as we live each day. We hear that if we choose a job we love, we will never feel as if we are working. I believe that within us we can choose how we present our feelings as well. Have you ever worked with someone who is always grumpy? They seem to always find the negative side of everything. Compare this person to the one who is joyful. With whom would you rather work?
As Christians, we are called to serve our Lord and Savior. For these tasks, we are blessed with a diverse array of gifts. Our possible gifts include the ability to listen, talk, pray, cook, repair, heal, drive: the list is endless. One of God’s promises is that we will receive the power and strength to serve others when we accept Christ. The problem is that sometimes people appear to serve their Lord out of obligation which often presents itself negatively. It’s kind of like when two kids are asked to forgive one another after a fight and they begrudgingly shake hands. They go through the expected motions, but they don’t forgive each other.
When we serve our Lord, we should do so as a response to our many blessings, not because that is what you are supposed to do. We don’t serve to earn God’s blessings. We serve because God blesses us and we are moved to share these blessings with others. When called to serve my Lord, I choose to share my blessings with joy in my heart. “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. Your blessings fill our souls. Thank you for our abundant gifts! May we find ways to share these gifts each day with those we meet. In sharing our blessings grow exponentially. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God will present opportunities for me to serve every day.
Arise with joy in your heart! Pastor Liz
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