Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional “Feeling Alone?” for Monday, 10 November 2014 - Scripture: Romans 12:9-16

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional “Feeling Alone?” for Monday, 10 November 2014 - Scripture: Romans 12:9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
Be of the same mind one toward another.(Romans 12:16 (KJV))
My mom died when I was almost four, so my dad and great-grandmother raised my siblings and me. Because of that particular loss, I always felt like an outcast at school. But my outlook on life changed dramatically when I was in the sixth grade. Until then, I had never met another student who had lost his or her mother. I will always remember my response when I heard one of my classmates giving a report. During her report, she mentioned that her mom had died. I tried to listen carefully and absorb what she was saying. I remember how glad I was to know someone who had experienced the same type of loss that I had. That single encounter changed the way I viewed my mother’s death.
I believe sometimes in our spiritual lives we want to find someone who feels the same way we do about God. Whether at home, school, or work, we want to be understood. Fellowship is a powerful tool that can be used to foster communication with others and to serve God. I am grateful that God loves us enough to allow others to cross our path at just the right time.
The Author: Tara Regina Lyle (Mississippi, USA)
Thought for the Day: God can use me today to help someone feeling alone or in need.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for allowing us to share our lives with others. May our story lead others to you. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone who feels alone
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