The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "CONNECTED" for Friday, 7 October 2016 with Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12, 21-26

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "CONNECTED" for Friday, 7 October 2016 with Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12 For just as the body is one but has many parts; and all the parts of the body, though many, constitute one body; so it is with the Messiah.
21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you”; or the head to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be less important turn out to be all the more necessary; 23 and upon body parts which we consider less dignified we bestow greater dignity; and the parts that aren’t attractive are the ones we make as attractive as we can, 24 while our attractive parts have no need for such treatment. Indeed, God has put the body together in such a way that he gives greater dignity to the parts that lack it, 25 So that there will be no disagreements within the body, but rather all the parts will be equally concerned for all the others. 26 Thus if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; and if one part is honored, all the parts share its happiness.
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In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.[Romans 12:5 (NIV)]
My son is a United Methodist missionary. I have been fortunate to meet many faithful Christians while traveling with or visiting him in other countries. As a result, I feel just as connected to believers overseas as to those in the next town.
I feel close to these Christians because I have faces, voices, and smiles to help me connect. Andriy, Nastiya, Sergei, and Pavel are real people to me. When I read a meditation in The Upper Room written by Pavel, I can remember him and rejoice that he is my brother in Christ. When I pray for these friends, I’m praying for people whom I know personally. I have heard their stories.
Not all of us have the opportunity to travel to other lands, but each of us can find brothers and sisters God is calling us to love. A local mission trip, a feeding program, a ministry to the sick or elderly, and other creative ministries all help us make a connection in the body of Christ with those who were once strangers.
See an image of the author and her son, here.
"Link2Life for October 7, 2016"

Upper Room author Debbie Airgood and her son, Michael

The Author: Debbie Airgood (Pennsylvania, USA)
Thought for the Day: In Christ, we have brothers and sisters all over the world.
Prayer: Dear God, help us always to remember our connection to the entire body of Christ. Amen.
Prayer focus: CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD-------