Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 31, 2023
Luke 12:27-34
27 Notice how the lilies grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. 28 If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, how much more will God do for you, you people of weak faith! 29 Don’t chase after what you will eat and what you will drink. Stop worrying. 30 All the nations of the world long for these things. Your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, desire his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. 34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be, too.
Good Morning! Happy New Year’s Eve!
The end of another calendar year is here. Many traditions accompany this day. Of course, there is the countdown with the big ball drop in New York City. Some cultures have special foods they eat to commemorate the event. Then there are the traditions of spiritual cleansings, including those where you physically sweep the old year out the door.
As a people of God, our new year began with the 1st Sunday of Advent as we prepared for the birth of Jesus, but within our earthly accounting system, tomorrow is a new calendar year. What opportunities does a new year bring? As we read in Luke, it is time to let go of our worries because God will provide what we need.
What if we use the new year to reinvigorate our faith journey? We began building the momentum as we celebrated Christmas. Let’s use this joyous time as our foundation to renew as we rid ourselves of those earthly treasures and begin working on those heavenly ones.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, help us to focus on Your call to us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Release your worries to God
On this seventh day of Christmas, let go of those things that pull you down! Pastor Liz
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