Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
August 20, 2021
Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1 It is necessary to brag, not that it does any good. I’ll move on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether it was in the body or out of the body. God knows. 3 - 4 I know that this man was caught up into paradise and that he heard unspeakable words that were things no one is allowed to repeat. I don’t know whether it was in the body or apart from the body. God knows. 5 I’ll brag about this man, but I won’t brag about myself, except to brag about my weaknesses. 6 If I did want to brag, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself because I’d tell the truth. I’m holding back from bragging so that no one will give me any more credit than what anyone sees or hears about me. 7 I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited. 8 I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. 9 He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. 10 Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong.
Good Morning! Praising my Savior, all the day long!
We live in a society where ad companies set standards to which we should strive to attain: the perfect body, hair, face, clothing, . . . These ad campaigns are especially aimed at the young who believe that they can achieve the look. Some succeed, but many fail. Their failure often brings weeks or even years of self-doubt because they don’t feel that they fit in. Remember when you tried the newest thing that everyone just had to have. For me, it was a hairstyle that turned out to be way too much work to maintain for someone who is happiest when running a comb through my hair is all I need to do. Imagine a world where everyone spent as much time on their spiritual well being as they did trying to attain outward perfection.
Over time, we learn that our true image is a reflection of our heart. I love the implications that we are all made in the image of God. Look around and see the infinite differences that make each of us unique. The love of God as symbolized by a “heart” is unfathomable when we realize that each of us is represented and held there.
We are given the gift of God’s grace which is sufficient to meet all of our needs. As we journey on our path of faith, we encounter and struggle with our weaknesses so that we may continue to grow into the being that God sees within us, so that we may reflect God’s love and mercy for the world. Yes, we may stumble and fall, but we know that our Lord and Savior will be by our side each step. We are called to step out in faith and while our immediate destination might be uncertain, we can walk confidently because we know our final destination rests with God feasting at His heavenly banquet table.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. It is so easy for us to focus on the here and now and worry about our physical bodies. Help us to refocus our efforts and work towards our ultimate destination with you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God can heal my brokenness and give me purpose.
God’s grace is sufficient! Pastor Liz
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