Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 5, 2022
Read Genesis 28:10-17
10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and set out for Haran. 11 He reached a certain place and spent the night there. When the sun had set, he took one of the stones at that place and put it near his head. Then he lay down there. 12 He dreamed and saw a raised staircase, its foundation on earth and its top touching the sky, and God’s messengers were ascending and descending on it. 13 Suddenly the LORD was standing on it and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will become like the dust of the earth; you will spread out to the west, east, north, and south. Every family on earth will be blessed because of you and your descendants. 15 I am with you now, I will protect you everywhere you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done everything that I have promised you.” 16 When Jacob woke from his sleep, he thought to himself, The LORD is definitely in this place, but I didn’t know it. 17 He was terrified and thought, This sacred place is awesome. It’s none other than God’s house and the entrance to heaven.
Good Morning, Give Thanks to the Holy One!
“'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '” — Jeremiah 29:11
During my adult life, I have moved many times. First, our family moved up and down the east coast courtesy of the US Navy. Each move provided blessings and challenges but we were moving as a family and we had each other upon whom we could lean. When Lowell accepted his calling to serve God as a pastor, we made four more moves.
Unlike our military moves, we quickly became a part of our church families, so each move was a little more challenging as we would pack up and leave one family and meet a new family. The best part of these moves is that once you belong to a family you are forever a family member even when you move away, so with each new appointment, our family grew larger.
When God called me to become a pastor, I knew that accepting my calling would require me to move. When I made my first move, it was different because it was just me moving this time. I had moments of fear and doubt as I prepared for this leap of faith, but I leaned heavily on God and God was by my side as I packed each box. My family is continuing to grow as I allow God to lead me on my new journey.
This past May I received a call saying that I was moving to Madison to serve two churches. I was filled with excitement and fear as I prepared to meet my new family. This past week has been such a blessing to me as I realized that I am at home in a wonderful community of faith. Where he leads me I will follow, for I trust in the Lord my God. 15 I am with you now, I will protect you everywhere you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done everything that I have promised you.”
In all this, I have learned to trust in God’s plan for my life. I know that whenever I feel weak, I can call on God to hold my hand and I will find the strength and comfort that I need. Blessings to my extended family around Virginia. May you all be blessed as you prepare for the arrival of the Christ Child.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Despite our doubts and fears, You are always by our side. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I am never without help because God is with me.
God is With Us! Pastor Liz
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