Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
September 12, 2023
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
6 Now Timothy has returned to us from you and has given us good news about your faithfulness and love! He says that you always have good memories about us and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. 7 Because of this, brothers and sisters, we were encouraged in all our distress and trouble through your faithfulness. 8 For now, we are alive if you are standing your ground in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you, given all the joy we have because of you before our God? 10 Night and day, we pray more than ever to see all of you in person and to complete whatever you still need for your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus guide us on our way back to you. 12 May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone in the same way as we also love you. 13 May the love cause your hearts to be strengthened, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his people. Amen.
Good Morning. Rejoice, again I say Rejoice!
What is the first thing we want to do when we get good news? We might take a moment to take it in for ourselves, but for most of us, I would say that we want to share it with others. I can remember times when I’ve seen someone traveling alone, and when this traveler received the news that a child had been born, they shared it with whoever would listen or even just as a shout of joy praising God.
Worshiping together is an opportunity to share the Good News together. When I consider God’s gifts, I am moved to shout and sing, and worship is a great way to celebrate together. As a body of believers, we can support one another and mature in our faith as we journey forward and grow in love for one another. This love causes our hearts to be strengthened, just as Paul describes in this passage.
Knowing that our sins have been forgiven is cause for a great celebration. Don’t be afraid to shout and sing your joy before God and anyone within earshot. We are blessed to live in a time and place where we are not persecuted for worshiping God together. Take a moment and say, “Thank you, God.”
Loving God, We love you! We love to celebrate the Good News. May we never forget that You have given us the greatest news! Thank you! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Worshiping with others is a gift I can receive with joy.
Shout and Sing for you are forgiven! Pastor Liz
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