Morning Devotional

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 16 So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. 17 Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. 18 We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18 All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation. 20 So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!”

In the early times of Jesus many religions would offer sacrifices to their gods as a way to please them, bring them back and reconcile the anger their god had. The Apostle Paul however said this understanding is backwards. We, God's people are the one's who were alienated, separated away from God. Our God, Paul would remind us, is not an angry God, never was. Our God was not alienated from us but came in Jesus to draw us back into the circle of heaven's deep love. As we became baptized into Jesus, a "new creation" God has shaped us into nothing less than "ambassadors for the Kingdom. Followers that represent Jesus Christ to the world today and  that makes it our mission to be “the body of Christ” through whom God remains visibly at work inviting others to “be reconciled to God.”  

There is an old song sung by David Will titled,  "You're the Only Jesus some will ever see,"  that reminds us what we are called to be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjEaJTZybnQ  This is a wonderful way to start a day in Jesus. But let us not forget the important question Paul is asking; Are you reconciled to God? Then the next questions your heart open for God to work through so people can see Jesus in you? I hope to see you all this morning as we celebrate the Lord's day through Word, fellowship, prayer and communion. 
    
My Father, my rock and shelter, you sent Your Son in love reconciling the world to Yourself. You are my God, you call me to show the world this love in all I do and all I say.. Help me grow in my ability to become a channel through whom others can see you more clearly. Father, forgive me for my sins, help my heart to stay open in this world to do what you ask me to do. May I look beyond myself, beyond what I think I should do and listen to the Your voice. Father I pray for strength through the name of Your son Jesus. Amen  Amen.