The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "FOCUSING ON THE DIVINE" for Sunday, 25 September 2016 with Scripture: Acts 17:24-27

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "FOCUSING ON THE DIVINE" for Sunday, 25 September 2016 with Scripture: Acts 17:24 “The God who made the universe and everything in it, and who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in man-made temples; 25 nor is he served by human hands, as if he lacked something; since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything to everyone.
26 “From one man he made every nation living on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the limits of their territories and the periods when they would flourish. 27 God did this so that people would look for him and perhaps reach out and find him although in fact, he is not far from each one of us,
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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[Matthew 10:29 (NIV)]
That Sunday the pews were filled. I was seated near the front surveying the gathered church family when suddenly a tiny spider came dangling down from the ceiling before my eyes. My first impulse was to smash the unwelcome guest to the floor, but then I stopped and began to ponder with wonder this tiny creature’s spinning its web from such lofty heights.
Later, reflecting upon my experience that Sunday morning, I remembered the Bible passage about God’s concern over a sparrow that falls. I realized that God created that tiny spider, and I was filled with a sense of awe.
God moves in mysterious ways that are sometimes easy to miss. On that day, my encounter with the spider reminded me to focus on God’s presence in that place and in my life.
The Author: Bill Kidwell (Ohio, USA)
Thought for the Day: God is closer than we think.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to be more aware of your presence in all that you have created. We pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.
Prayer focus: GRATITUDE FOR THE BEAUTY OF CREATION

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