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The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Saturday, 14 July 2018 "Listening to the River" by Susan Thogerson Maas (Oregon) John 16:32-33 The Lord said, “If only you had paid attention
to my commands, your peace would have been like a river.” (Isaiah 48:18 (NIV))As I stood on the bank of smooth, white pebbles, the river surged past — with the morning sunlight glinting off the water. The river’s steady roar filled me with peace. My husband and I had enjoyed a lovely weekend camping with families from our church getting to know each other better, enjoying the river, and praising God. Now we were taking one last walk before heading home. Each time a big truck rumbled past on the nearby road, the noise made me turn and look, disturbing my pensive mood. Then a thought dropped into my mind. Listen to the river. Walking back to the car, I considered those words, and their meaning became clear. If I want to keep my peaceful feeling, I need to focus on the beauty of the river, not the distracting noises. God’s presence is like a river running through our lives. But life, like that road, is filled with distractions. Troubling news stories, illness, and other personal struggles may bring worry; daily routines involving work, school, and family require our attention. However, when we “listen to the river” — by reading the Bible, meditating on its meaning, and praying regularly — we can find God’s peace, even in the midst of a busy life.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for the peace only you can give. Help us to focus beyond life’s distractions to see you. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: John 16:32 But a time is coming — indeed it has come already — when you will be scattered, each one looking out for himself; and you will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone; because the Father is with me.
33 “I have said these things to you so that, united with me, you may have shalom. In the world, you have tsuris. But be brave! I have conquered the world!” (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: How will I “listen to the river” of God’s peace today?
PRAYER FOCUS: Those searching for peace
READ MORE: More From Susan Thogerson Maas
More From Susan Thogerson Maas
JULY 14, 2018 BY SUSAN THOGERSON MAAS (OREGON)
RELATED DEVOTIONALS: LISTENING TO THE RIVER
Susan by the river
As I write this, my husband, Gary, and I are looking forward to our next Church Campout, coming up in a couple of weeks. I love these gatherings because they combine two of my favorite things: spending time in God’s beautiful creation and being together with God’s people. We will be visiting the same park this year, so we will once again get to walk along the river and enjoy its peaceful beauty.Our Church Campout has fun times together: marshmallow roasting around a fire; a group breakfast with bacon, eggs, and French toast; a potluck supper with all sorts of yummy dishes to choose from; and a worship time together. It’s always fun to watch everyone’s children run and play. Some people head out to a nearby lake for waterskiing and tubing during the day. I’m too chicken for that, so Gary and I usually wander through the camp and visit with others who also stay in camp. It’s a great time to get to know people better.
I love our church family because the people really love God AND others. Going to church feels like coming home after a long trip — like I can relax and be myself without having to impress anyone. At my church I find one thing that seems to be missing in much of society today — grace. Sinners are forgiven, those who are different are accepted, and people are shown love rather than condemnation. How amazing our communities, our countries, and our world would be if everyone learned to extend grace to others. Our world might finally know the true Peace of God.
Feel free to check out my blog at www.sparrowthoughts.wordpress.comor my website at www.susanmaas.com.
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Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1 (NIV))
One day when I was looking for a particular pair of slacks, the closet was so full I could not find them. Much to my surprise, I could not remember the last time I had worn half of the clothes in the closet. That day, they seemed to me like excess baggage. I decided then and there to clean out the closet and donate the clothes. The closet is much more orderly now.
My overflowing closet resembles what sometimes happens in our lives. In our hearts we may store up envy, resentment, bitterness, and hurt — excess baggage that keeps us from becoming the people God wants us to be. Today is a good day to free our hearts from everything that does us harm and to seek a genuine relationship with God.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Almighty God, come dwell in our hearts. Help us release what is not pleasing in your sight so that we may find strength and gladness in 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 in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” ((Matthew 6:9-13, KJV).)
TODAY'S READING: Hebrews 12:1 So then, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us, too, put aside every impediment — that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement — and keep running with endurance in the contest set before us, 2 looking away to the Initiator and Completer of that trusting,[Hebrews 12:2 Habakkuk 2:4] Yeshua — who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.[Hebrews 12:2 Psalm 110:1] 3 Yes, think about him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you won’t grow tired or become despondent. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10).
PRAYER FOCUS: To release spiritual clutter
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