Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
October 16, 2023
Galatians 6:1-10
1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted too. 2 Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are important when they aren’t, they’re fooling themselves. 4 Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others. 5 Each person will have to carry their own load. 6 Those who are taught the word should share all good things with their teacher. 7 Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. 8 Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. 10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.
Good Morning. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!
As the end of this year’s growing season is approaching, it is interesting to assess our harvest. What are the standards by which we assess our efforts? Do we evaluate the time to prepare our garden beds prior to planting? Do we add up the money spent to plant a garden? Do we weigh our harvest and determine the value of the fruits? Bottom line: was it worth the effort that we extended? Hmmm?!?
What if, instead, we focused on the less tangible gifts along the way? Time spent outdoors in God’s house, the excitement of watching our plants sprout, grow and mature, and the opportunity to share our harvest with others. I’m suddenly reminded of the commercials from a few years ago where several things are given a price tag, but then time with a friend or family member is listed as priceless or precious.
Gardening is spending time with God. Whether we’re talking tomato plants or souls, we must persistently tend our gardens so that all have an opportunity to grow and mature. For some, the fruit is slow to develop, but given time and proper nurturing, the fruit will come.
9 Let’s not get tired of doing good because in time, we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. 10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.
Awesome God, We love you! We are often unsure that the work we do matters. Help us to see that the true value of our efforts takes many years. Thank you. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Look for what is lovely, what is good, and what is holy.
Nurture and Grow God’s children! Pastor Liz
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