Missionary Renegade: The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 18 October 2017 "Stepping Over" by May Patterson

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 18 October 2017 "Stepping Over" by May Patterson - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 18 October 2017 "Stepping Over" by May Patterson - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017

The angel answered [Cornelius], “Your prayers  and gifts to the poor have come up as a  memorial offering before God.” (Acts 10:4 (NIV))
Over 200 steep steps lead to the Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris, France. My daughter Caroline and I climbed those steps to visit the church, located on a bluff overlooking Paris. When we finally made it to the top, we stood on quivering legs and beheld the beautiful panorama.
Leaving the church, we saw a woman lying across the doorstep, directly in our path. She wore a threadbare orange coat and a green scarf. She seemed cold, dirty, and helpless. I had to step over her to get out of the church. As I did, I thought to myself, Do church members step over people like her too? Both Caroline and I felt God nudging us to help the woman. Caroline turned back and knelt down. She pressed a few Euros into the woman’s hand and said, “God loves you.” The woman’s face brightened with a smile.
Our encounter with that woman made me realize that I often “step over” people in need. It can be easy to go through our days without noticing the needs of others around us. Though we may not be able to help everyone, we can give as the Spirit leads us. Showing love to others is showing love to God.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Dear Father, lead us to people we can help today. May our generosity be motivated by our love for you. Amen.
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TODAY'S READING: 1 Timothy 6:17-19
1 Timothy 6:17 As for those who do have riches in this present world, charge them not to be proud and not to let their hopes rest on the uncertainties of riches but to rest their hopes on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. 18 Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. 19 In this way they will treasure up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life.
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