Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 4, 2023
Luke 10:38-42
38 While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. 40 By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.” 41 The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. 42 One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”
Good Morning. Today is a great day to praise God!
Let go of your worries and distractions. It is interesting how many passages in the Bible remind us to let go of our worries and distractions. It is an obvious thing to do, but it is so hard.
I spend time intentionally giving my worries to God, but later, I realize I have picked them up again. When I turn them over to God, I feel so good, so relieved. I must stop and ask myself, “Why would I pick them back up and give away the peace that God gave me in place of the worries?”
I see several possibilities for this question. Perhaps we, as “grown-ups,” think that we don’t deserve the peace that God gives us. Maybe we aren’t ready to give away our control to God, or we are so accustomed to the worry that hangs around within us that we feel empty without it. Each worry takes on its own personality, depending upon the time and situation.
I challenge myself this morning to let go of my worries and embrace the peace that fills the void. God loves us: “You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.”- Isaiah 43:4
Finally, Paul shares these words with us in his Letter to the Ephesians. I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Help us let go of our worries so that we may see the wonder that surrounds us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Make time for God today.
Let go of everything that keeps you from God. Pastor Liz
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