The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 19 November 2017 "Unseen Gifts" by Robert Boyce (Tennessee) - Luke 9:1-6
-------
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017
Put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11 (NIV))
A few years ago, my wife and I traveled to Kenya to serve for two weeks at Kijabe Hospital. As I packed for the trip, I had to closely evaluate each item since our luggage had to hold personal items as well as medical supplies for the hospital. I hesitated to include my study Bible, a graduation gift from my parents. Maybe I could get by with an E-version instead, I thought. But then I realized that my two-pound Bible was more important than all the other items. Its worn cover and marked-up pages remind me that for the last 20 years I have carried it many places as my source of strength and wisdom. Although my mother passed away a few years ago, the impact of her gift has extended far beyond that graduation day in May 1996 to reach the other side of the world — to the benefit of others whom she would never know.
In today’s reading, Jesus instructed the disciples to take no belongings at all with them. Some things we carry are just baggage, but the Bible, God’s word with us, is vital and non-negotiable.
Gifts from others have been equipping me all my life. We are equipped by our church, community, teachers, and family. Simply by taking God’s word with us each day and giving generously to others, we can help these unseen gifts grow beyond our imagination.
A few years ago, my wife and I traveled to Kenya to serve for two weeks at Kijabe Hospital. As I packed for the trip, I had to closely evaluate each item since our luggage had to hold personal items as well as medical supplies for the hospital. I hesitated to include my study Bible, a graduation gift from my parents. Maybe I could get by with an E-version instead, I thought. But then I realized that my two-pound Bible was more important than all the other items. Its worn cover and marked-up pages remind me that for the last 20 years I have carried it many places as my source of strength and wisdom. Although my mother passed away a few years ago, the impact of her gift has extended far beyond that graduation day in May 1996 to reach the other side of the world — to the benefit of others whom she would never know.
In today’s reading, Jesus instructed the disciples to take no belongings at all with them. Some things we carry are just baggage, but the Bible, God’s word with us, is vital and non-negotiable.
Gifts from others have been equipping me all my life. We are equipped by our church, community, teachers, and family. Simply by taking God’s word with us each day and giving generously to others, we can help these unseen gifts grow beyond our imagination.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
* * *
Luke 9:1 Calling together the Twelve, Yeshua gave them power and authority to expel all the demons and to cure diseases; 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, “Take nothing for your trip — neither a walking stick nor a pack, neither bread nor money; and don’t have two shirts. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there and go out from there. 5 Wherever they don’t welcome you, shake the dust from your feet when you leave that town as a warning to them.” 6 They set out and went through village after village, healing and announcing the Good News everywhere.
---
What gifts have others given me for my spiritual journey?
People with limited access to healthcare
READ MORE:
Link2Life - NOVEMBER 19, 2017 BY ROBERT BOYCE (TENNESSEE)
Bob and Mindy Boyce in Kenya, 2015
The Graduation Bible
Bob with some of the hospital staff in Kenya
The Upper Room®
Copyright © The Upper Room 2017, All rights reserved.
Header Photo Credit: "Harvested Land," Beth Shumate. August 15, 2014. (link)
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment