I Will Exalt You

Read Psalm 145:1-5

In the morning, my intention before I even get out of bed, is to offer words of praise and thanks to God for a new day. My intention is to then carry words of praise through the day, seeing God’s good everywhere I can.

But that doesn’t always happen. More often than not, the dog across the street is barking madly, and my mind goes to the neighbor who leaves that dog outside at all hours. My praise goes right out the window. I go downstairs to make breakfast and we’re out of milk – again. I grumble as I write it on the grocery list. My praise goes up in smoke as I wonder who drank the last drops and didn’t write milk on the list. The drive to work is no better as truck drivers maneuver and do their best to bring words of a less worthy variety to my lips.

Yet the psalmist reminds me of his determination to praise God in an emphatic, "I will praise you every day, forever and ever." Why? Because of the greatness He has done.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you share with your children or other young people the excitement of your relationship with God?

2. How do you make words of praise to God and about God a daily habit?

PRAYER:

Good and gracious God, Your abundant love for me is too wonderful to keep to myself. I will sing of your great love always. Amen.

Patti Morlock

Have mercy on others

17 March 

Read Luke 10:30-37 and reflect on the passage.

Growing up, I remember a neighbor lady who lived across the street. She lived alone and was terrified of thunderstorms. Whenever a storm arose, she called our house and one of us girls had to go stay with her till it passed. I hated it. I would beg my sisters to go in my place, but when it was my turn, I had to go. I remember once saying I would go, and then heading in the opposite direction to a friend’s house, knowing she would be terrified, but I didn’t care. I forgot I was her neighbor.

Jesus tells a story about someone who gets beat up and left for dead. Those who should have stopped and cared for him walked on by, but the very one who should not stop does. Why? Because he sees the man simply as a person in need—as a neighbor. When Martin Luther translated the Bible from Latin to German, he had two German words from which to choose for the word neighbor. One meant “the person next door,” the other “the person in need.” He chose the second. Loving with all our heart is being a neighbor to those in need.

Questions

1. Recall a time when you failed to show mercy to one in need. Lord have mercy.

2. Recall a time when you embraced someone else’s need whole-heartedly with compassion and care. What was the difference from the first instance?

Prayer

Merciful God, open our eyes to those around us who are hurting and in need. Show us how to be a neighbor, through Jesus’ mercy.

—Patti Morlock

Jesus’ humility shown through His baptism

26 December 

Scripture Reading

Read Matthew 3:13-17 and reflect on the passage.

Why in the world is Jesus standing in a long line of people waiting to be baptized by a crazy man shouting repent? Believe it or not, this was the very time He had been waiting for, the time when people were more aware of their sin and their need for God than ever before. In being willing to be baptized, He would come to identify with the very ones He came to save.

Many thought John was the one, but he clearly understood his role and knew there was One coming after him who would be greater. He allowed himself to be surpassed. Jesus who was washed clean in the Jordan was the greater One, the Messiah, yet He was willing to assume a position of subservience as He submitted himself to a baptism of repentance by John. He humbled himself and appeared lesser.

Humility in this day and age—when the focus seems more on self—appears all but non-existent. John and Jesus were able to humbly step aside to let God accomplish His call in them. When the cry is to get our own way, we would do well to seek first God’s purpose and plan.

Questions

1.      How is Jesus revealing Himself to you in ways that ask you to step back so that He may be exalted in your life?

2.      Recalling your own baptism, how is the Glory of God being revealed through humble acts of word and deed in and through you?

Prayer

Humble our hearts Oh Lord, that we may be set free from all that keeps us from Your plan and purpose for our lives. Amen.

—Patti Morlock