Belonging to God
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
(Psalm 100:3) New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The first words that come from my mouth every morning as I wake up are: "Thank you Lord for this new day, for the gift of opening my eyes and seeing again the miracle of life." Life is a gift from God, but this gift comes wrapped like fragile paper with circumstances that bring joy sometimes, and sorrows in other times. The key in life is to be grateful and know that we belong to God.
The Psalmist recognized this when he extends the invitation to know God. When we get to know God through Jesus Christ we can claim, as the Psalmist, that we belong to God, that we are his people and sheep of his pasture. This is a profound truth that we easily forget.
The first words I say every morning in my prayer will include a special thanksgiving tomorrow morning as I will be celebrating my birthday: "Thank you Lord for another year that in your love and mercy you are giving me." Happy birthday to all those that like me will be celebrating birthdays in November. God bless you!
Prayer: Gracious and loving God, thank you so much for the gift of life. For the assurance that we are yours, you made us, we are your precious people. Help us to find joy in our life, even during difficult times. In Jesus Christ, our Lord we pray, Amen!
The peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Jorge,
May this devotion provide you with a moment of faithful reflection and care. You are involved in ministries of justice and witness, in ministries of standing up and standing with people working to create better systems and communities, in ministries of learning and searching and researching to become more aware and awakened, more technologically savvy and proficient, more virtually and personally present in your churches and communities and world. Each of us who serve as members of your Wisconsin Cabinet write these devotions in grateful prayer for you – for sustenance and buoyancy, for strength and courage, for safety and just actions, and for faith and love to be full and fulfilled in your daily lives. God’s grace and blessings, God’s challenge and healthy discomfort, God’s Spirit and energy be with you, in the hope Christ offers us all.
¡Perteneciendo a Dios!
“Reconoced que Jehová es Dios;
él nos hizo y no nosotros a nosotros mismos;
pueblo suyo somos y ovejas de su prado.“
(Salmo 100:3) Versión Reina Valera 1995
Las primeras palabras que salen de mi boca temprano al levantarme son: “Gracias Señor por este nuevo día, por el regalo de abrir mis ojos y ver de nuevo el milagro de la vida.” La vida es un regalo de Dios, pero este regalo viene envuelto como en un papel de regalo frágil con circunstancias que nos traen gozo algunas veces y sentimientos de dolor en otras veces. La clave de la vida esta en ser agradecidos y conocer que le pertenecemos a Dios.
El Salmista reconoció esto cuando el extendió la invitación de conocer a Dios. Cuando nosotros podemos conocer a Dios a través de Jesucristo, podemos al igual que el Salmista reclamar que le pertenecemos a Dios, que somos pueblo suyo y ovejas de su prado. Esta es una profunda verdad que olvidamos fácilmente.
Las primeras palabras que digo cada mañana en mi oración incluirán el día de mañana una acción de gracias especial porque voy a estar celebrando mi cumpleaños: “Gracias Señor por otro año más que en tu amor y misericordia me concedes.” Feliz Cumpleaños para a todos aquellos/as que al igual que mi estarán celebrando su cumpleaños en este mes de Noviembre, Dios les bendiga!
Oración: Dios de gracia y amor, muchísimas gracias por el regalo de la vida. Por la certeza de que somos tuyos, tú nos hiciste, y somos un pueblo precioso para ti. ayúdanos a encontrar gozo ¡En Jesucristo nuestro Señor oramos, Amen!
La Paz del Señor sea con ustedes,
Pastor Jorge