Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
October 8, 2024
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
11 This commandment that I’m giving you right now is definitely not too difficult for you. It isn’t unreachable. 12 It isn’t up in heaven somewhere so that you have to ask, “Who will go up for us to heaven and get it for us that we can hear it and do it?” 13 Nor is it across the ocean somewhere so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the ocean for us and get it for us that we can hear it and do it?” 14 Not at all! The word is very close to you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart, waiting for you to do it.
Good Morning! Let's start our day with the uplifting reminder that the joy of the Lord is our strength!
One of my first favorite movies is The Wizard of Oz. Of course, the music is excellent, and the director’s imagery and contrast between black-and-white and color are breathtaking. Like many young girls, Dorothy, entrenched in the doldrums of a boring life (represented in black-and-white), dreams of a better place (amazing technicolor).
Her adventure begins as she is transported to her dream world. There, she experiences and sees things beyond anything she could have ever imagined—it’s so incredible! Then, reality begins to set in when the wicked witch appears, and she is sent in search of the great and powerful wizard Oz. Along her journey, she meets others needing help and invites them to join her. Each of her struggles is a character-building event that prepares her for the next challenge.
In the end, after finding help for her friends, she finally realizes that she has what she needs from the beginning and states those iconic words, “There’s no place like home. " She wakes up in her own bed surrounded by those who love her.
As Christians, we sometimes feel we must go on a long journey to find God’s kingdom to improve our lives. By the grace of God, when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, God’s kingdom is within us. We are given everything we need through our advocate, the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. No matter what struggles we face, God is with us. The kingdom of God is at hand. There’s no place like Home in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Dear Lord, We are your children! We don’t have to travel far to find You. When we invite you in, you are with us always. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: There is always hope in the Lord!
Where is your home? Pastor Liz
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