Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
January 5, 2022
Read Psalm 33:1-9
1 All you who are righteous, shout joyfully to the LORD! It’s right for those who do right to praise God. 2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre! Sing praises to him with the ten-stringed harp! 3 Sing to him a new song! Play your best with joyful shouts! 4 Because the LORD’s word is right, his every act is done in good faith. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the LORD’s faithful love fills the whole earth. 6 The skies were made by the LORD’s word, all their starry multitude by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathered the ocean waters into a heap; he put the deep seas into storerooms. 8 All the earth honors the LORD; all the earth’s inhabitants stand in awe of him. 9 Because when he spoke, it happened! When he commanded, there it was!
Good Morning! Praise God in all things!
I pray that all are surviving well. Please reach out if you need anything. I praise God for all those workers who have been working tirelessly to clean roads and repair power lines. Please watch over them as they work in dangerous conditions. I am happy to report that our power came back on at 3:00 this morning. I praise God that we stayed warm enough and were able to clean around my car enough to get out so that I could get some hot food and charge my phone.
During times of trouble or anxiety, it is very easy to focus on our struggles and forget to look for all the blessings around us. What I noticed over the past two days were neighbors talking to each other and helping each other as they worked to clear a safe path to walk. Two young teens offered to shovel my sidewalk, which I gladly accepted, and when I offered to give them money for their efforts they declined to say that it just took a minute and that they were glad to help. Hallelujah!
Sometimes it seems that challenges are what we need to open our eyes to the big picture. After months of staying indoors and becoming more and more self-centered, a storm caused us to talk, share stories, and help each other. Thanks be to God!
When we are stressed, maybe we should create a prayer routine where we begin with praise. When we start with praise, we shift our focus to our blessings, not the negative issues around us. Through this positive outlook, we can see possibilities.
Creator God, Thank You for loving us. We praise you for all of our blessings. Help us open our eyes to look for a world full of glorious possibilities. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will balance my prayerful petitions with praise for what God has done.
Praise God for all things! Pastor Liz
Comments