The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "KEEPING A CONNECTION" for Wednesday, 21 September 2016 with Scripture: John 15:1 “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. 3 Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. 4 Stay united with me, as I will with you — for just as the branch can’t put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can’t bear fruit apart from me.5 “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. 6 Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.
7 “If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. 8 This is how my Father is glorified — in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim.
9 “Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.
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Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.[Colossians 4:2 (NIV)]
We enjoy entertaining our friend who is a Chinese exchange student. He’s enthusiastic about his classes and his time with our American family. However, each evening at 7:30 he excuses himself, regardless of where he is and what’s going on. Why? He always calls his family in Beijing at 8:00 pm. There his family gathers around the phone, waiting to hear about his adventures that day. Nothing prevents him from keeping this appointment.
We admire his dedication and love for his family, and we wonder if we’re that faithful when it comes to our commitment to God through prayer. Do we let interruptions and a busy schedule keep us from our most important communication each day?
This young man’s relationship with his family has made us more aware of the tremendous privilege and opportunity of prayer. We can pray anytime, anywhere, and about anything. It’s amazing that God, who created everything, loves us and wants a relationship with us. We can have the same dedication to God as our exchange student has to his family. I want to hold this thought in my heart: “God, I can’t wait to talk with you.”
The Author: Donna J. Eliason (Washington, USA)
Thought for the Day: My prayer time with God is too important to miss.
Prayer: Thank you, dear God, for the power and privilege of prayer. We need your love as well as your wisdom and guidance daily. Help us to spend more time with you. Amen.
Prayer focus: EXCHANGE STUDENTS
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We enjoy entertaining our friend who is a Chinese exchange student. He’s enthusiastic about his classes and his time with our American family. However, each evening at 7:30 he excuses himself, regardless of where he is and what’s going on. Why? He always calls his family in Beijing at 8:00 pm. There his family gathers around the phone, waiting to hear about his adventures that day. Nothing prevents him from keeping this appointment.
We admire his dedication and love for his family, and we wonder if we’re that faithful when it comes to our commitment to God through prayer. Do we let interruptions and a busy schedule keep us from our most important communication each day?
This young man’s relationship with his family has made us more aware of the tremendous privilege and opportunity of prayer. We can pray anytime, anywhere, and about anything. It’s amazing that God, who created everything, loves us and wants a relationship with us. We can have the same dedication to God as our exchange student has to his family. I want to hold this thought in my heart: “God, I can’t wait to talk with you.”
The Author: Donna J. Eliason (Washington, USA)
Thought for the Day: My prayer time with God is too important to miss.
Prayer: Thank you, dear God, for the power and privilege of prayer. We need your love as well as your wisdom and guidance daily. Help us to spend more time with you. Amen.
Prayer focus: EXCHANGE STUDENTS
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