Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 8, 2022
Read Romans 8:35-39
35 Who will separate us from Christ’s love? Will we be separated by trouble, or distress, or harassment, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, We are being put to death all day long for your sake. We are treated like sheep for slaughter. 37 But in all these things we win a sweeping victory through the one who loved us. 38 I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers 39 or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.
Good Morning, Hallelu! Hallelu! Hallelu! Hallelujah! Praise Ye the Lord!
I am beginning to appreciate that our time on earth is a time for us to learn and practice holy living. As we are challenged we learn, and as we create challenges for ourselves and others we learn. We are born innocent believers filled with love and trust, but as we become aware of the world around us we start to question things and want more: more love, more things, just more!
Our need for more drives us to work to achieve. Within our desires, there are good things, but it is easy for evil to embed itself into our efforts. Sometimes we decide to get things and do things at the expense of others. We don’t even notice that to reach the next level means to step on someone else's work and dreams. We become so focused on the prize that we become like a machine. Evil feeds these desires and pushes us to climb higher and higher.
Eventually, we learn that all that glitters is not gold and we see the light leading us back to our path. We ask for forgiveness for our misdeeds and our arrogance. We promise to be still and listen to God’s will for our lives, and off we go until our next stumbling block. Our time on the practice squad is sanctioned by God’s grace. Through the Holy Spirit within us, we are molded and transformed into the being that God intended us to be.
God sent Jesus to show us the way. When we become lost, Jesus comes for us. Jesus is the light, the truth, and the way. Through him, we are redeemed. Amen
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We have so many rough edges that must be molded and smoothed as we journey toward you. Thank you for sending your son to save us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus is the light of our salvation!
Look to the light! Pastor Liz
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