Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
November 29, 2021
Read Philippians 4:4-9
4 Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! 5 Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. 7 Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus. 8 From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. 9 Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.
Good Morning! Rejoice in the Lord Always!
When I opened up today’s passage, my heart was immediately warmed. What a perfect passage to start my day following a wonderful, but tiring family celebration. Paul wrote this letter to the people of Philippi in appreciation for their support during his ministry and imprisonment. The book is an overview of how to live as a Christian: sort of a guide to daily living.
This book is relevant to us today. We, too, need to be reminded and encouraged to live without worry. When we release our worries to God, we open our hearts and minds to be filled with love and peace. Paul reminds us to focus on all that is true, holy, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise.
As we enter this season of preparation for the coming of Christ, I challenge us to recognize when we allow anxiety to slip in and quickly work to give that worry to God, so that we may refocus our energy on God’s love and mercy as evidenced through our blessings. Allow yourself the grace to experience the joy of Advent and Christmas as you center yourself around all that is good. Rejoice in God’s glory!
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. As we begin this season of Advent, may we look for the awe and wonder that surrounds us every day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will worry less and pray more.
Rejoice! Again I say Rejoice! Pastor Liz
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