Upper Room Daily Devotions ~ Friday, 1 November 2013 ~ “All Saints’ Day” ~ READ: Ephesians 1:Paul’s Prayer

Upper Room Daily Devotions ~ Friday, 1 November 2013 ~ “All Saints’ Day” ~ READ: Ephesians 1:Paul’s Prayer 15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Yeshua which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the holy ones, 16 don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; 18 having the eyes of your hearts* enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the holy ones, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he worked in Messiah, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.(Messianic WEB))

Paul wrote, “Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you.”~-Ephesians 1:15-16 (NIV)

All Saints’ Sunday in our church has always been important to me. During this special service we remember all those of our church family who have died during the past year. We rejoice in the fact that they have attained the promise of eternal life with God. As I reflect back on the lives of these people and the saints honored in previous years, I remember their involvement in the life of the church. Many of them were quite active — teaching, working in missions, serving in various capacities, and remaining faithful in their worship and Bible study. They have “in everything set . . . an example by doing what is good” (Titus 2:7). Each of these persons, in his or her way, has had a great impact on me and my faith walk. All Saints’ Day causes me to stop and think about my own life. How will the generation that follows me be influenced by my service and my witness? Am I making a positive contribution to the lives of this community of believers? This special day gives me renewed desire to follow Christ more fully as did the saints who went before me.~~The Author ~ Jeanne C. Gore (North Carolina, USA)

Thought for the Day: Walking in the footsteps of the saints leads to true worship of God.

Prayer: Dearest heavenly Father, help us to remember that others may be looking to us as models of faith. Guide us to be ever mindful of our actions that we may be examples of what is good. Amen.

Prayer Focus: Gratitude for Christian examples

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