Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 18, 2022
Read 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
10 The one who supplies seed for planting and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed and will increase your crop, which is righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way. Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 Your ministry of this service to God’s people isn’t only fully meeting their needs but it is also multiplying in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. 13 They will give honor to God for your obedience to your confession of Christ’s gospel. They will do this because this service provides evidence of your obedience, and because of your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 They will also pray for you, and they will care deeply for you because of the outstanding grace that God has given to you. 15 Thank God for his gift that words can’t describe.
Good morning! Give Thanks with a grateful heart!
In everything we do, give thanks to our God who created us. Sometimes we become so caught up in our everyday lives that we become consumed with managing all the details. We might even feel overwhelmed at times. We set our focus on what has to be done and when it has to be done. Let’s call these days our “crazy” days. Initially we think, “let me get these things done today and then everything will go back to normal.”
During these crazy days, we set aside everything that can wait until another day. The problem is that sometimes these “days” turn into weeks, months, and even years. Then before we know it, the time for doing the “other” things has disappeared. Let’s consider for a moment what the everything else that can be saved for another day might be. Sadly, it is often the things we enjoy and the things that we need most that fall into the nonessential category.
We set aside our hobbies, our hopes and dreams, and our time with God in order to fit all those things that we deem essential into our day. Many years ago, I discovered that no matter how many things I had heaped onto my plate (and I’m pretty good at overloading my plate) that the only way to survive those crazy days is to start with God time.
When we put God first, we set the tone for our day. There are many ways to spend time with God: reading the Bible, praying, walking in nature . . . Find what works for you as you develop your unique relationship with God. I also believe that it is necessary to find time for those things that you enjoy. How can we serve others with joy, when we have put our own joy on hold?
Some might be thinking, there just isn’t time, I’ll do that tomorrow. Take time to hold those you love, enjoy God’s majesty that surrounds you, and live your life fully for we do not know what tomorrow brings.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us three areas where we can know God's will: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Loving and Caring God, Thank You for loving us. We seem to love to immerse ourselves in crazy days. Help us find a balance so that we enjoy our lives full of the blessings which you have provided for us. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will thank God each day for my blessings.
Love God! Pastor Liz
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