Morning Devotional 041925 A New Day is Coming

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  April 19, 2025

1 John 1:5-10

5 This is the message that we have heard from him and announce to you: “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.” 6 If we claim, “We have fellowship with him,” and live in the darkness, we are lying and do not act truthfully. 7 But if we live in the light in the same way as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. 8 If we claim, “We don’t have any sin,” we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong. 10 If we claim, “We have never sinned,” we make him a liar and his word is not in us.

Good Morning. Jesus is the light of the world!

Today is Holy Saturday! As Christians, this is a day of anticipation and waiting. It is a time to reflect on Jesus's burial, while looking forward to his resurrection on Easter Sunday. We, as the church, stand at the Lord's tomb, symbolically waiting for the dawn of a new life. 

During this week, I have contemplated the significance of Holy Week in the eyes of the modern world. For most, this is just another week filled with the normal work schedule, grocery shopping, ball games, and meetings. 

It is easy to become complacent and join the mainstream society who are too busy to remember the significance of this week. Our lives are so busy as we are pushed and tugged into so many different directions. 

Each day rambles by so quickly, and before we know it, another month or year has passed. Without the events that happened in Jerusalem so many years ago, everything would be different, yet for so many, it passes by without notice. 

Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection changed the world forever. Without Christ, when we die, we simply cease to exist; we become a non-entity. With Christ, we are born anew to live eternally with God. 

Although this redemption is available to all, few will make the sacrifices needed to find their way to their eternal home. Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But narrow is the gate and tight is the way that leads to life, and few find it."

Blessed are those who choose to follow the light of Christ, for they will leave the world of darkness behind. 

Loving Lord, Maker of all things! Thank you for saving us. Open our hearts and minds so that we remember to accept your gift. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Seek the light of Jesus. 

Invite Jesus into your heart! Pastor Liz