Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
February 25, 2022
Read Colossians 1:9-14
9 Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we haven’t stopped praying for you and asking for you to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, with all wisdom and spiritual understanding. 10 We’re praying this so that you can live lives that are worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him in every way: by producing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God; 11 by being strengthened through his glorious might so that you endure everything and have patience; 12 and by giving thanks with joy to the Father. He made it so you could take part in the inheritance, in light granted to God’s holy people. 13 He rescued us from the control of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. 14 He set us free through the Son and forgave our sins.
Good Morning! To God be the glory!
Yesterday, I realized that I was approaching the end of a great week with many special events along the way. I decided I need to give myself the grace to rest this morning, so this morning Neon and I have been experiencing a more leisurely approach to our morning routine. We must never underestimate the need to refuel our bodies physically and spiritually. Thanks be to our gracious and loving Lord who taught us to step away and commune with God.
When I read this passage this morning, this phrase really resonated with me. 13 He rescued us from the control of darkness . . . I have long been a student of the idea that light is being with God and darkness is being devoid of God, or the classic struggle of good vs. evil. We have had many conversations in recent weeks regarding turning control of our lives over to God and trusting God’s plan for our lives. For all the times that I have considered this control issue, I never considered it in this context. When we demand to have control, what is it we trying to control, the darkness, aka evil?
Some might ask why would you read the Bible over and over again. God uses Scripture to speak to us, to open us to glimpses of our eternal glory as we are ready to receive the message. What we glean from a passage varies upon where we are spiritually at that point in time when we read it. I’ve read from Colossians many times, but today was the first time I was led to contemplate what control of the darkness means.
When we submit ourselves to Christ and turn over control to God who was in control from the start, we immediately walk into the light. Maybe we were in complete darkness, or most likely we spend much time lingering on the edge of darkness in the shadows. We can still see that the light is there, shining in the distance, but we have things that we are trying to hide (our sins) so maybe the darkness can cover our flaws.
Of course, God sees us completely and is aware of everything that we are and everything that we do. The Good News is that despite our flaws, God loves us. Only through faith, and by the grace of God are we able to find the light. In Him, there is no darkness at all. God gave us His only, begotten Son so that we might have eternal life. Jesus is the light of the world. As believers, we are called to share the good news to the world through our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Once again, I find myself singing the love of Jesus. These beautiful lyrics by Kathleen Thomerson fill my heart with joy on this precious morning.
I want to walk as a child of the light
I want to follow Jesus
God sent the stars to give light to the world
The star of my life is Jesus
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. Help us, Lord, we are sinners! We want to be in control of our lives, yet we want to walk in your light. Help us release the control and bask in the glory of God. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God can use my ordinary actions of love to bring compassion to the world.
Love God! Love one another! Pastor Liz
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