Thursday, June 2, 2016

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS" for Saturday, 28 May 2016 with Scripture Matthew 25:31-40

issue coverThe Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS" for Saturday, 28 May 2016 with Scripture Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, accompanied by all the angels, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. 33 The ‘sheep’ he will place at his right hand and the ‘goats’ at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you made me your guest, 36 I needed clothes and you provided them, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the people who have done what God wants will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and make you our guest, or needing clothes and provide them? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 The King will say to them, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you did these things for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did them for me!’
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What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?[Psalm 8:4 (NRSV)]
Early one cold, winter morning, I stood outside watching the streaking meteors of the Leonid meteor shower. As I viewed the celestial performance, I thought about the constancy of God’s love. I tried to imagine God’s Spirit hovering over the surface of the earth and developing our planet into a living ecosystem.
As I continued to feel the chill in spite of my warm clothing, my thoughts turned to those enduring cold without adequate clothing or even sufficient food. I wondered, If I were cold and hungry, would I be looking at the night sky and marveling at the majesty of creation in the same way?
Each star in the vast sky is only one, but together the stars form powerful, stunning galaxies. In today’s reading Jesus reminds us that we are not alone in this world. He calls us to show compassion. Regardless of how seemingly minor, our kindnesses to one another have the same value as showing kindness to Jesus. Compassion for the needy is not to be taken lightly even if we are tempted to think that small efforts cannot make a difference. With the psalmist, we marvel that amidst this vast universe, God cares for each of us. As God pours out grace on us, we can share this grace with others.
The Author: Gael Stuart Phaneuf (Colorado, USA)
Thought for the Day: I honor the Lord when I give as I am able.
Prayer: Majestic Lord and Creator, bless our efforts to serve you. Help us to care for the hurting people of our planet in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY
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