Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "Speeding Ticket" for Saturday, 9 May 2015 - Scripture: Romans 3:9 So are we Jews better off? Not entirely; for I have already made the charge that all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, are controlled by sin. 10 As the Tanakh puts it,
“There is no one righteous, not even one!
No one understands,
11 no one seeks God,
12 all have turned away
and at the same time become useless;
there is no one who shows kindness, not a single one![a]
13 “Their throats are open graves,
they use their tongues to deceive.[b]
Vipers’ venom is under their lips.[c]
14 Their mouths are full of curses and bitterness.[d]
15 “Their feet rush to shed blood,
16 in their ways are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of shalom they do not know.[e]
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[f]
19 Moreover, we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those living within the framework of the Torah, in order that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world be shown to deserve God’s adverse judgment. 20 For in his sight no one alive will be considered righteous[g] on the ground of legalistic observance of Torah commands, because what Torah really does is show people how sinful they are.
21 But now, quite apart from Torah, God’s way of making people righteous in his sight has been made clear — although the Torah and the Prophets give their witness to it as well — 22 and it is a righteousness that comes from God, through the faithfulness of Yeshua the Messiah, to all who continue trusting. For it makes no difference whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, 23 since all have sinned and come short of earning God’s praise. 24 By God’s grace, without earning it, all are granted the status of being considered righteous before him, through the act redeeming us from our enslavement to sin that was accomplished by the Messiah Yeshua.[Footnotes:
Romans 3:12 Psalm 14:1–3, 53:2–4(1–3)
Romans 3:13 Psalm 5:10(9)
Romans 3:13 Psalm 140:4(3)
Romans 3:14 Psalm 10:7
Romans 3:17 Isaiah 59:7–8, Proverbs 1:16
Romans 3:18 Psalm 36:2(1)
Romans 3:20 Psalm 143:2]
[God our Savior] saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.[Titus 3:5 (NRSV)]
In high school I was driving through town when a sudden flash of blue light and the crisp, piercing sound of a siren interrupted the evening. Suddenly, I was being pulled over by a local police officer who cited me for speeding. When it came time to appear before the judge, I sat in the courtroom and contemplated how I would answer the officer’s charge. I knew I was innocent of speeding, but I was guilty of carelessly running a red light.
When the time came, I stood before the judge and asked for leniency. The judge didn’t dismiss the charge, but he drastically reduced the penalties, freeing me to continue enjoying the privilege of driving and the summer money I had earned.
When I think about this incident, I am reminded of how foolish it would be for us to argue with God that we are innocent of a particular sin, knowing how guilty we are of so many others. Wouldn’t it be better for us all to ask for God’s mercy and the freedom to enjoy the privilege of relationship and the joy of life everlasting?
The Author: Cassius Rhue (South Carolina, USA)
Thought for the Day: God is merciful and hears my cries for grace.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your mercy and grace. Help us to daily confess our sins and receive your forgiveness. Amen.
Prayer focus: Police Officers
“There is no one righteous, not even one!
No one understands,
11 no one seeks God,
12 all have turned away
and at the same time become useless;
there is no one who shows kindness, not a single one![a]
13 “Their throats are open graves,
they use their tongues to deceive.[b]
Vipers’ venom is under their lips.[c]
14 Their mouths are full of curses and bitterness.[d]
15 “Their feet rush to shed blood,
16 in their ways are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of shalom they do not know.[e]
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[f]
19 Moreover, we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those living within the framework of the Torah, in order that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world be shown to deserve God’s adverse judgment. 20 For in his sight no one alive will be considered righteous[g] on the ground of legalistic observance of Torah commands, because what Torah really does is show people how sinful they are.
21 But now, quite apart from Torah, God’s way of making people righteous in his sight has been made clear — although the Torah and the Prophets give their witness to it as well — 22 and it is a righteousness that comes from God, through the faithfulness of Yeshua the Messiah, to all who continue trusting. For it makes no difference whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, 23 since all have sinned and come short of earning God’s praise. 24 By God’s grace, without earning it, all are granted the status of being considered righteous before him, through the act redeeming us from our enslavement to sin that was accomplished by the Messiah Yeshua.[Footnotes:
Romans 3:12 Psalm 14:1–3, 53:2–4(1–3)
Romans 3:13 Psalm 5:10(9)
Romans 3:13 Psalm 140:4(3)
Romans 3:14 Psalm 10:7
Romans 3:17 Isaiah 59:7–8, Proverbs 1:16
Romans 3:18 Psalm 36:2(1)
Romans 3:20 Psalm 143:2]
[God our Savior] saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.[Titus 3:5 (NRSV)]
In high school I was driving through town when a sudden flash of blue light and the crisp, piercing sound of a siren interrupted the evening. Suddenly, I was being pulled over by a local police officer who cited me for speeding. When it came time to appear before the judge, I sat in the courtroom and contemplated how I would answer the officer’s charge. I knew I was innocent of speeding, but I was guilty of carelessly running a red light.
When the time came, I stood before the judge and asked for leniency. The judge didn’t dismiss the charge, but he drastically reduced the penalties, freeing me to continue enjoying the privilege of driving and the summer money I had earned.
When I think about this incident, I am reminded of how foolish it would be for us to argue with God that we are innocent of a particular sin, knowing how guilty we are of so many others. Wouldn’t it be better for us all to ask for God’s mercy and the freedom to enjoy the privilege of relationship and the joy of life everlasting?
The Author: Cassius Rhue (South Carolina, USA)
Thought for the Day: God is merciful and hears my cries for grace.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your mercy and grace. Help us to daily confess our sins and receive your forgiveness. Amen.
Prayer focus: Police Officers
____________________________
Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "A Starting Point" for Friday, 8 May 2015 - Scripture: James 5:13 Is someone among you in trouble? He should pray. Is someone feeling good? He should sing songs of praise.14 Is someone among you ill? He should call for the elders of the congregation. They will pray for him and rub olive oil on him in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer offered with trust will heal the one who is ill — the Lord will restore his health; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, openly acknowledge your sins to one another, and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Eliyahu was only a human being like us; yet he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and no rain fell on the Land for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the Land produced its crops.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.[James 5:16 (NIV)]
I work as a writer for a missions organization. One morning my supervisor handed me a letter, saying, “I’d like you to answer this because you write such good letters.” The letter — from a woman named Doris — consisted of several paragraphs requesting prayer for her macular degeneration, a devastating eye ailment. I prayed for Doris and also asked God to give me the words to respond to her letter. In my letter, I assured Doris that we had prayed for her and told her a little about my work. Then I asked her to pray for my husband, who is disabled from a stroke.
Several weeks later, a letter arrived from Doris — two pages, neatly written and cheerful. “Your letter put a smile on my face,” she wrote. “By all means, I’ll be honored to pray for your husband.” She wrote that having turned 93, she had been telling God, “It is time for you to take me home.” Then she continued, “But by the prayer requests I’m getting, the Lord seems to be saying, ‘Not yet.’”
Doris’s letter reminded me that when we think there’s nothing we can do for God’s kingdom, we can pray. Prayer isn’t a last resort; it’s a starting point.
Read more from the author, here.
The Author: Janet Seever (Alberta, Canada)
Thought for the Day: Prayer is something we all can do for God’s kingdom.
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for allowing us to bring you our petitions and to pray for others. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those Who Are Elderly
Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "Controlling Our Thoughts" for Thursday, 7 May 2015 - Scripture: Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! 6 Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy. 9 Keep doing what you have learned and received from me, what you have heard and seen me doing; then the God who gives shalom will be with you.When I wake up long before my alarm clock goes off, I lie in bed and tell myself to go back to sleep. If I stay awake too long, my mind begins to race, my thoughts slip out of control, and anxiety sets in. In the darkness I am beset by guilt, shame, regret, and a host of other negative thoughts and emotions.
Fortunately, the Holy Spirit is beside me, encouraging me to shift my attention to thoughts of God. If I repeat words of thankfulness and praise, the Holy Spirit lifts me out of despair and leads me to a line of scripture or a devotional reading that I need to hear. After I read, I write down my troubles and turn them over to God. In this way I find relief and a sense of peace.
Life gives us many choices. The choices we make about what to think shape our self-image, our personality, our view of the world, and our way of dealing with life’s difficulties. The Holy Spirit is our source of comfort and peace and works with us to control our thoughts.
The Author: Keith G. Williams (Alabama, USA)
Thought for the Day: God’s love can overcome my despair.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to control our thoughts. Remove thoughts of despair and anxiety and fill our minds and hearts with your peace, joy, and love. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone Suffering From Insomnia____________________________
Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "Praying Continuously" for Wednesday, 6 May 2015 - Scripture: Luke 18:1 Then Yeshua told his talmidim a parable, in order to impress on them that they must always keep praying and not lose heart. 2 “In a certain town, there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected other people. 3 There was also in that town a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me a judgment against the man who is trying to ruin me.’ 4 For a long time he refused; but after awhile, he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God, and I don’t respect other people; 5 but because this widow is such a nudnik, I will see to it that she gets justice — otherwise, she’ll keep coming and pestering me till she wears me out!’”6 Then the Lord commented, “Notice what this corrupt judge says.
My son is in the U.S. Army, stationed overseas. He usually writes once a month, updating me about his life challenges and successes. Each time I receive a letter or call, I am so grateful to hear that he is safe and sound. His happy tone always brings a wave of relief to me. At one point, five months passed without a word or response to my voicemails, text messages, or letters. Even though I told myself, “No news is good news,” I couldn’t help worrying about him. Every day I prayed, asking God to keep my son safe and to protect and guide him.
When my son called on Mother’s Day, I could not believe the intensity of my happiness and gratitude for that gift. At that moment, the scene between the prodigal son and his father came to life in my heart: “While he was still far off, his father saw him and . . . ran and put his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). I felt tremendous gratitude for the answer to my prayers. But I am also grateful for the five months of waiting because during those five months of not knowing, my faith in God grew. Talking with God every day helped me overcome my fear and calmed my spirit.
The Author: Phyllis Durante (Hawaii, USA)
Thought for the Day: Like any loving parent, God wants to hear from us.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the opportunity to help us grow in faith and love. Remind us that prayer helps us to build and nurture our relationship with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer focus: Parents Of Those Serving In The Military____________________________
Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "God Still Loves" for Tuesday, 5 May 2015 - Scripture: Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit and when I stand up,you discern my inclinations from afar,
3 you scrutinize my daily activities.
You are so familiar with all my ways
4 that before I speak even a word, Adonai,
you know all about it already.
5 You have hemmed me in both behind and in front
and laid your hand on me.
6 Such wonderful knowledge is beyond me,
far too high for me to reach.
7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there.
9 If I fly away with the wings of the dawn
and land beyond the sea,
10 even there your hand would lead me,
your right hand would hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Let darkness surround me,
let the light around me be night,”
12 even darkness like this
is not too dark for you;
rather, night is as clear as day,
darkness and light are the same.
Sadie, our six-month-old black Labrador puppy, has more energy than I do and can run faster than I can. The other day, she got loose and took off running. I could not outrun her, so I walked after her. Sadie led me on a wild-goose chase through our neighborhood. She kept looking back and changing directions for some 20 minutes as I steadily followed.
Finally Sadie ran into a corner and could not escape me. So she headed back to me with a look in her eyes that said, “I’m sorry. Do you still love me?” I just hooked the leash on Sadie’s collar and rubbed her chin, and together we walked back home.
God’s love is upon us and is pursuing us — wooing us even before we are aware of it and all throughout our lives. As the apostle Paul put it, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8, NIV). I can run from God, and I have on many occasions; yet God still lovingly, patiently pursues me until I run into a corner and come back asking, “Do you still love me?” God’s answer is always, “Yes.”
The Author: Tim Burleson (South Carolina, USA)
Thought for the Day: God always welcomes us back.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for staying close to us even when we wander from you. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone Who Is Wandering Away From God____________________________
Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "God's Rhythm" for Monday, 4 May 2015 - Scripture: Ecclesiates 3:1 For everything there is a season,a right time for every intention under heaven —
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to discard,
7 a time to tear and a time to sew,
a time to keep silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.[Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)]
During one of my favorite family vacations when I was a little girl, I experienced the thrill of life under the big top as I watched the “Flying High Circus” show. I was mesmerized by the trapeze artists as they executed their dynamic tricks, swinging from bar to bar. Their movements required precise timing and made me gasp with excitement.
In our spiritual lives, we need to practice good timing too. God keeps our bodies, minds, and spirits in sync. We are more likely to get into God’s rhythm when we have a balance of work and rest. We saw God’s rhythm in creation: six days of work and one day of rest. God’s rhythm often requires us to slow down so that we will be in sync with God.
The Author: Cathy Robbs Turner (Tennessee, USA)
Thought for the Day: God’s rhythm is never too fast or too slow.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for showing us the importance of resting from our labors. Help us to slow down and to spend time with you. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Prayer focus: Those Who Cannot Take Time To Rest
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