Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 20, 2024
Romans 12:1-8
1 So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. 2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature. 3 Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. 4 We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. 5 In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. 6 We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. 7 If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. 8 If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.
Good Morning! Do the most with what you are given!
2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
Many of us grow up with the mindset that we are to do things as expected and find our predetermined niche in which to settle. Stand tall, but not too tall. Be brave, but don’t ruffle too many feathers. Do the work, but don’t overdo it.
And then there are the dreamers and those with vision—those who can see without the predetermined parameters. Sometimes, these seers are called different and weird. They often become outcasts because it is easier for everyone to see things the same than to listen to or follow the one who sees them differently.
Jesus came and showed us how to see the world through the lens of our hearts, and the Pharisees doubted his calling. Mary McLeod Bethune, a dedicated Methodist educator, saw a world where all could come together and be educated so that we might find the path to living like Jesus.
“I leave you love. I leave you hope. I leave you the challenge of developing confidence in one another. I leave you a thirst for education. I leave you a respect for the use of power. I leave you faith. I leave you racial dignity. I leave you a desire to live harmoniously with your fellow men. I leave you finally, a responsibility to our young people.” MMB
I have a dream that we can accept our gifts from God and live a life filled with love, peace, hope, and joy, taught by Jesus and directed by the Holy Spirit.
Don’t settle for conforming; boldly transform the world in the name of Christ.
Dear Lord, We are your children! It’s easy to settle for doing things the “regular” way. Help us accept and embrace the “other” possibilities. Praise be to God! Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Consider the world through the lens of God.
Embody your unique blessing! Pastor Liz
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