Devotion for Friday, January 17, 2020

“But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is
concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who
is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his
wife” (1 Corinthians 7:32-33).

We get to the heart of what Paul
has been saying. There is a principle here. We have been created to care. Where
that care is directed is important. We often find that we are driven to care
about the things of this world. When that care interferes with the direction of
our faith, this is a problem. We were created to love and the direction of our love
will guide us. Direct your life toward the Lord.

Lord, I do not know what it means to love you above all things. Lead me,
O Lord, to be guided by You in and through all things. Help me to see that only
in You will I find meaning for why I exist. Guide me to live in the right
direction that I may now and always walk according to Your purposes. Help me
see through those things that seek to direct my focus in other directions.

Lord Jesus, You continuously
pointed us upward. Lead me to see that only in You will I find completion. Guide
me according to Your goodness to know that in You alone will I be able to walk
the narrow path of salvation. Lead me out of myself to see that through You is
the only way to find what is missing that I may not wander through this life
aimlessly. Guide me, Lord Jesus. Amen.