The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "God’s Direction" for Thursday, 8 December 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 7:7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps asking receives; he who keeps seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone here who, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? 10 or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 So if you, even though you are bad, know how to give your children gifts that are good, how much more will your Father in heaven keep giving good things to those who keep asking him!
12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.
-------
A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?[Proverbs 20:24 (NIV)]As my college graduation approaches, I have a million thoughts running through my mind: Where will I work? Where will I live? How will I pay my bills? My five-and-a-half-year journey through college has taught me that life is uncertain and that God provides.
After my first year of college, I had to take a year off to make money so I could return. I had no work experience, but God provided. I got a fantastic job at a local hospital that paid well and allowed me to work nearly 70 hours a week. It wasn’t long before I made enough money to return to college, and my boss let me continue to work during my breaks from school. That job was God’s provision to allow me to finish paying for college.
Today’s verse reminds me that I don’t need to have all the answers right now. I can trust that God will lead me to opportunities. God has always been faithful to me and my family, and we believe in the promise of today’s scripture reading that God cares deeply for each of us and our needs. God loves us and will provide a way for us.
The Author: Michael Eaton (Texas, USA)
Thought for the Day: How has God led me to where I am today?
Prayer: Dear God, help us to trust in you and to follow where you lead. Amen.
Prayer focus: STUDENTS STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR SCHOOL
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Like Trees Walking" for Wednesday, 7 December 2016 with Scripture: Mark 8:22 They came to Beit-Tzaidah. Some people brought him a blind man and begged Yeshua to touch him. 23 Taking the blind man’s hand, he led him outside the town. He spit in his eyes, put his hands on him and asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like walking trees.” 25 Then he put his hands on the blind man’s eyes again. He peered intently, and his eyesight was restored, so that he could see everything distinctly. 26 Yeshua sent him home with the words, “Don’t go into town.”
-------
Jesus laid his hands on [the blind man’s] eyes again; and he looked intently, and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.[Mark 8:25 (NRSV)]Being the youth leader at my church is not easy for me. I have not raised teenagers of my own and do not have any training in working with teens. But this role has given me experiences that have transformed my Christian walk.
Instead of having Sunday school at church one day last fall, we loaded the teens into our cars and visited a nearby nursing home. When we got there, the nurses were serving lunch. In the dining room, some of our teens talked, laughed, sang, and even danced with the residents. Others went to visit those who were bedridden. I saw one teen bend over and greet a man with tender words. In another room, a teen sat by the bed of an elderly woman and placed a small cross in her hand. She smiled, and they spoke about her faith in Christ. In the main hall, one teen played his guitar for the residents while others decorated the room.
I realized that I had not seen the potential in these young people; but that day I began to see more clearly, like the blind man in today’s reading. Jesus did not give up on that man, and he did not give up on me. In the actions of these teens that Sunday I saw a vivid example of the power of Christ’s love to transform each of us.
The Author: Brenda L. Saldana (Puerto Rico)
Thought for the Day: Today I will look for the potential God sees in others.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to share your love with others. Thank you for all the opportunities you give us to see and to be your love in the world. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE WORKING AND LIVING IN NURSING HOMES
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Peace that Passes Understanding" for Tuesday, 6 December 2016 with Scripture: Psalm 18:31 (30) “As for God, his way is perfect,the word of Adonai has been tested by fire;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
32 (31) “For who is God but Adonai?
Who is a Rock but our God?
33 (32) “It is God who girds me with strength;
he makes my way go straight.
34 (33) He makes me swift, sure-footed as a deer,
and enables me to stand on my high places.
35 (34) He trains my hands for war
until my arms can bend a bow of bronze;
36 (35) “You give me your shield, which is salvation,
your right hand holds me up,
your humility makes me great.
37 (36) You lengthen the steps I can take,
yet my ankles do not turn.
-------
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.[Philippians 4:7 (KJV)]My friend Helen was expressing her concern for her son, who lived in a home for people with disabilities. At 86, she and her husband knew they would not be with David for many more years. I offered what seemed like a helpful response. “You’ve done all you can for David. Give your worries to the Lord. Let God take the burden from you.” Helen seemed encouraged, and I was glad to be of comfort to her.
The next day, I received a call telling me that my mammogram showed an abnormality. A repeat test offered confirmation, and a biopsy was ordered for a week later. My words to Helen came back to me. Give your worries to the Lord, I said to myself; but fear flooded my mind, and I couldn’t let go. In full panic, I emailed prayer requests to my family and friends. Within hours, I was inundated with assurances of prayer from caring people.
By evening, an amazing peace came over me. I can’t control the outcome, I thought. What happens is in God’s hands now. If the abnormality is benign, I’ll have wasted precious time worrying. If it’s malignant, with the Lord’s help, I’ll get through it. The Bible promises God’s peace. Our job is to trust the Lord.
Read more from the author, here."More from Betty Rosian"
How very little we know about the future! Or even tomorrow. The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:34 that we aren’t to worry about tomorrow, for each day has enough trouble of its own. After I wrote my December 6th devotional, Helen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and was transferred out of her lovely home into a care unit. Not long after that, her husband, Dick, became unable to get around well and joined his wife there. Now they share a single room together. Everything she had worried about came to be. They can no longer drive and depend on friends to occasionally bring David to visit them.But Helen, a former teacher, is a joy in the nursing home. Her cheerful countenance makes the caretakers’ jobs easier. Her strong faith bolsters her spirit and shines through to others. She plays the piano for sing-alongs, writes letters to old friends, and keeps herself busy organizing her small world.
As for me, my tests showed the irregularity to be benign. All of this made me more aware of my own mortality and how many things remain undone. In my life as a writer, I had allowed gigabytes of writing to clutter my computer. Among these were a stack of devotionals and three books I’d written over the past 20 years, still hiding secretly in folders, waiting for me to remember them. As my remaining years dwindled, I thought, If not now, when?
With this new mindset, I dredged up the book most ready for publication. For a year, my granddaughter, Jaime (pictured with me above), created the illustrations as I labored over the text. And this very week the books are in my hands. Based on past experiences, What's a Grandma to Do?: 20 Fun Things To Do With Young Grandchildren is published.
Looking out of the window now at Johnstown’s unusually late first snowfall of the year, I think that for the next few months more of my time will be spent indoors. With the Lord’s help, how can I best use these hours to share my faith with others and to bring glory to God through my writing? That’s my goal for 2017.[Betty Rosian, Check out Betty's blog: grandmabetty.live.]
The Author: Elizabeth Rosian (Pennsylvania, USA)
Thought for the Day: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:27).
Prayer: Dear Lord, we find comfort in knowing that when life is difficult, you take away our worries and give us peace. Amen.
Prayer focus: PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Left Hand — Right Hand" for Monday, 5 December 2016 with Scripture: Colossians 3:23 Whatever work you do, put yourself into it, as those who are serving not merely other people, but the Lord. 24 Remember that as your reward, you will receive the inheritance from the Lord. You are slaving for the Lord, for the Messiah.
My wife had surgery on her right hand and couldn’t use it for several weeks. She needed help to do almost everything; so I became her right hand. Some of the work and chores were unfamiliar, and I did them poorly. This experience helped me understand the idea of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Nevertheless, my wife encouraged me as I took on difficult tasks, and as the weeks passed, I got better. Now that my wife is well and doesn’t require constant help, we are closer for having worked together during that time.
Doing God’s work is similar. God chooses to involve us in the divine work. Even after years of trying to do God’s will, I am sometimes tempted to shy away rather than risk doing a poor job. When this happens, God gently encourages me to pick up the task I am called to. Through the years I have found that the more often I try, the better I get at doing God’s work. None of my efforts has been perfect; in fact, some of them have been pretty poor. But God always seems to take pleasure in the results of faithful service.
Now, when God calls me to do something, I enter into the task in prayer and faith. After years of being part of God’s work, I feel a closeness to my Creator that would not have come any other way. That closeness gives me assurance and comfort each day.
The Author: Gale Richards (Iowa, USA)
Thought for the Day: Everything I do for God matters.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for calling us into your service and for accepting our efforts. Teach us to give our best to you and trust you for the results. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE HESITANT TO RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Freely Given" for Sunday, 4 December 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Yeshua took a piece of matzah, made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to the talmidim and said, “Take! Eat! This is my body!” 27 Also he took a cup of wine, made the b’rakhah, and gave it to them, saying, “All of you, drink from it! 28 For this is my blood, which ratifies the New Covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many, so that they may have their sins forgiven.
I volunteer to speak in Sunday evening worship services for residents of a nearby healthcare facility. Preparing a fifteen-minute sermon can be challenging. The message must be concise and easily understood by listeners.
One evening after my sermon, Holy Communion was offered. An elderly man in a wheelchair declined to take the bread and wine. “I didn’t bring money to pay for it,” he said in a raspy voice.
“Oh, no. It’s free,” the server said.
What wonderful, glorious news! I thought. We cannot buy the salvation represented by these elements. All we need to do is believe in Jesus and accept his free gift. This is the heart of the gospel, plain and simple. And it is the best sermon of all.
Opportunities to share this good news of God’s word are all around us. We simply have to recognize them and respond.
See a picture of Virginia at the healthcare facility, here."Link2Life for December 4, 2016"
Left to right are Richard C. Nelson, Virginia Loewen, Mary C. Carper, and Betty L. Cramer
Virginia O. Kozak, Virginia Loewen, and John M. Hosterman
Virginia O. Kozak, Virginia Loewen, and John M. Hosterman
The Author: Virginia Horst Loewen (Pennsylvania, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can I freely give what I have freely received from God?
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for the gift of salvation. Help us to hear and receive your good news. Amen.
Prayer focus: RESIDENTS IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Worthy is the Lamb" for Saturday, 3 December 2016 with Scripture: John 1:19 Here is Yochanan’s testimony: when the Judeans sent cohanim and L’vi’im from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he was very straightforward and stated clearly, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Eliyahu?” “No, I am not,” he said. “Are you ‘the prophet,’ the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied. 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 23 He answered in the words of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, “I am
The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert make the way of Adonai straight!’”[John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3]
24 Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim. 25 They asked him, “If you are neither the Messiah nor Eliyahu nor ‘the prophet,’ then why are you immersing people?” 26 To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know. 27 He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!” 28 All this took place in Beit-Anyah, east of the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.
29 The next day, Yochanan saw Yeshua coming toward him and said, “Look! God’s lamb! The one who is taking away the sin of the world! 30 This is the man I was talking about when I said, ‘After me is coming someone who has come to rank above me, because he existed before me.’ 31 I myself did not know who he was, but the reason I came immersing with water was so that he might be made known to Isra’el.”
-------
Thought for the Day: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:27).
Prayer: Dear Lord, we find comfort in knowing that when life is difficult, you take away our worries and give us peace. Amen.
Prayer focus: PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Left Hand — Right Hand" for Monday, 5 December 2016 with Scripture: Colossians 3:23 Whatever work you do, put yourself into it, as those who are serving not merely other people, but the Lord. 24 Remember that as your reward, you will receive the inheritance from the Lord. You are slaving for the Lord, for the Messiah.
-------
Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.[Matthew 6:3 (NIV)]My wife had surgery on her right hand and couldn’t use it for several weeks. She needed help to do almost everything; so I became her right hand. Some of the work and chores were unfamiliar, and I did them poorly. This experience helped me understand the idea of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Nevertheless, my wife encouraged me as I took on difficult tasks, and as the weeks passed, I got better. Now that my wife is well and doesn’t require constant help, we are closer for having worked together during that time.
Doing God’s work is similar. God chooses to involve us in the divine work. Even after years of trying to do God’s will, I am sometimes tempted to shy away rather than risk doing a poor job. When this happens, God gently encourages me to pick up the task I am called to. Through the years I have found that the more often I try, the better I get at doing God’s work. None of my efforts has been perfect; in fact, some of them have been pretty poor. But God always seems to take pleasure in the results of faithful service.
Now, when God calls me to do something, I enter into the task in prayer and faith. After years of being part of God’s work, I feel a closeness to my Creator that would not have come any other way. That closeness gives me assurance and comfort each day.
The Author: Gale Richards (Iowa, USA)
Thought for the Day: Everything I do for God matters.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for calling us into your service and for accepting our efforts. Teach us to give our best to you and trust you for the results. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE HESITANT TO RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Freely Given" for Sunday, 4 December 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Yeshua took a piece of matzah, made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to the talmidim and said, “Take! Eat! This is my body!” 27 Also he took a cup of wine, made the b’rakhah, and gave it to them, saying, “All of you, drink from it! 28 For this is my blood, which ratifies the New Covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many, so that they may have their sins forgiven.
-------
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.[1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)]I volunteer to speak in Sunday evening worship services for residents of a nearby healthcare facility. Preparing a fifteen-minute sermon can be challenging. The message must be concise and easily understood by listeners.
One evening after my sermon, Holy Communion was offered. An elderly man in a wheelchair declined to take the bread and wine. “I didn’t bring money to pay for it,” he said in a raspy voice.
“Oh, no. It’s free,” the server said.
What wonderful, glorious news! I thought. We cannot buy the salvation represented by these elements. All we need to do is believe in Jesus and accept his free gift. This is the heart of the gospel, plain and simple. And it is the best sermon of all.
Opportunities to share this good news of God’s word are all around us. We simply have to recognize them and respond.
See a picture of Virginia at the healthcare facility, here."Link2Life for December 4, 2016"
Left to right are Richard C. Nelson, Virginia Loewen, Mary C. Carper, and Betty L. Cramer
Virginia O. Kozak, Virginia Loewen, and John M. Hosterman
Virginia O. Kozak, Virginia Loewen, and John M. Hosterman
The Author: Virginia Horst Loewen (Pennsylvania, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can I freely give what I have freely received from God?
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for the gift of salvation. Help us to hear and receive your good news. Amen.
Prayer focus: RESIDENTS IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Worthy is the Lamb" for Saturday, 3 December 2016 with Scripture: John 1:19 Here is Yochanan’s testimony: when the Judeans sent cohanim and L’vi’im from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he was very straightforward and stated clearly, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Eliyahu?” “No, I am not,” he said. “Are you ‘the prophet,’ the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied. 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 23 He answered in the words of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, “I amThe voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert make the way of Adonai straight!’”[John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3]
24 Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim. 25 They asked him, “If you are neither the Messiah nor Eliyahu nor ‘the prophet,’ then why are you immersing people?” 26 To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know. 27 He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!” 28 All this took place in Beit-Anyah, east of the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.
29 The next day, Yochanan saw Yeshua coming toward him and said, “Look! God’s lamb! The one who is taking away the sin of the world! 30 This is the man I was talking about when I said, ‘After me is coming someone who has come to rank above me, because he existed before me.’ 31 I myself did not know who he was, but the reason I came immersing with water was so that he might be made known to Isra’el.”
-------
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.[Mark 12:30 (NRSV)]
We all know how hard it is to accept criticism, especially when we’re fully convinced that we’re in the right. When we get back that best-written paper from our professor, we cringe at all the critical remarks in the margin in red ink! But, in the course of time, we learn to appreciate criticism given in love: from our spouse or from true friends who are willing to point out the faults in us and call for change.
Such a friend is John the Baptizer. As we make ready to receive Christ who comes to us in every moment of our lives, we remember John’s call to turn around and make a new beginning in our lives every day. John’s was a baptism “of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3; NIV, NRSV), a repentance that calls us to shift away from our attachment to passing things to focus on what truly matters. John carefully pointed out to his followers that he was not the one they should look for. He was simply a preacher pointing to the ultimate source of life in all its fullness — Jesus — as he proclaimed, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
In this season of Advent we take stock of the secondary things and persons that demand our attention and loyalty and return to our commitment to Christ, the ultimate source of joy and peace.
The Author: M. Thomas Thangaraj (India)
Thought for the Day: Today, I will turn from what is lesser to what is greatest: Jesus Christ.
Prayer: O God, grant us the wisdom to recognize the lesser things and turn around to adore you as our ultimate source of life. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE WHO REJECT ALL CRITICISM
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Doing What Is Right" for Friday, 2 December 2016 with Scripture: Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart in Adonai’s hand is like streams of water —
he directs it wherever he pleases.
2 All a person’s ways are right in his own view,
but Adonai weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just
is more pleasing to Adonai than sacrifice.
4 Haughty looks, a proud heart —
what the wicked plow is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead only to abundance;
but all who rush in arrive only at want.
6 A fortune gained by a lying tongue
is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to act justly.
8 A criminal’s conduct is crooked,
but the work of the pure is right.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof
than to share the house with a nagging wife.
10 The wicked is set on evil;
he doesn’t pity even his neighbor.
11 When a scorner is punished, the simple become wiser;
and when the wise is instructed, he takes hold of knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
13 Whoever stops up his ears at the cry of the poor
will himself cry, but not be answered.
14 A secret gift allays anger,
and a bribe under the cloak the strongest fury.
15 Acting justly is a joy for the righteous
but it terrifies evildoers.
16 The person who strays from the way of common sense
will come to rest in the company of the dead.
17 Pleasure-lovers will suffer want;
he who loves wine and oil won’t get rich.
18 The wicked serve as a ransom for the righteous,
and likewise the perfidious for the upright.
19 It is better to live in the desert
than with a nagging, irritable wife.
20 In the home of the wise are fine treasures and oil,
but a fool quickly devours it.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
finds life, prosperity and honor.
Recently, I was struggling with feelings of uncertainty and a lack of direction; in general I wasn’t sure how I felt. My uncertainties were frustrating and affected nearly everything I did. I felt detached from my home life. My work was affected because I felt removed from it as well. Focusing on my work was difficult. I kept asking myself, Why? Why am I doing this? Who cares whether I accomplish my goals? I finally took my problem to the Lord. Instead of asking myself questions, I asked God.
As I prayed and listened for God, Proverbs 21:21 came to mind. What a balm to my spirit! God knows my direction and goals and cares about me no matter what. My job, according to the scripture, is to pursue righteousness. I can make it my duty to live with love and mercy and to do what is right. Life won’t always be easy; but if we work to “pursue righteousness and kindness,” then we “will find life and honor.”
Read more from the author, here."Being Different is Totally Okay"
I continue to be amazed with God’s provisions. After having 30 plus years of writing under my belt it seems God has placed me in a position to do good, not only for children, but also for the parents of children.
It is surprising how many people know so little about special needs, unless they are directly involved with someone who has them. Those “in the know” are teaching, are a counselor, or are otherwise professionally involved.
In addition to writing “HeartSong,” a Christian blog at http://margiejharding.blogspot.com, and “Daily Threads,” a secular blog at www.margieharding.com, I continue to focus on the Paxton Series, a children’s book series focusing on special needs and disabilities. The goal is to meet the needs of both the child with the special need and the child who asks, “What’s wrong with my friend?”
What has been remarkable for me, however, is to see how God is using the books. Schools and libraries are using them to teach children; a college professor is using them to educate her students preparing to work with children of special needs; gift shops and stores are picking them up as well.
Our special needs children need to know it is totally okay to be different! And the children they encounter every day need to know every child has the right to be treated kindly and respectfully and loved.
While I had not planned on traveling down this road, I thank God for allowing me to be part of this journey! My faith has grown as my dedication to this project continues to blossom. I am indeed grateful and blessed![Margie Harding]
The Author: Margie Harding (Maryland, USA)
Thought for the Day: God cares about me no matter what.
Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes we get confused and we’re not sure what to do. Guide our steps toward the path of righteousness so that we can live abundantly. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE SEARCHING FOR DIRECTION-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Desires in Conflict" for Thursday, 1 December 2016 with Scripture: Romans 7:14 For we know that the Torah is of the Spirit; but as for me, I am bound to the old nature, sold to sin as a slave. 15 I don’t understand my own behavior — I don’t do what I want to do; instead, I do the very thing I hate! 16 Now if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am agreeing that the Torah is good. 17 But now it is no longer “the real me” doing it, but the sin housed inside me. 18 For I know that there is nothing good housed inside me — that is, inside my old nature. I can want what is good, but I can’t do it! 19 For I don’t do the good I want; instead, the evil that I don’t want is what I do! 20 But if I am doing what “the real me” doesn’t want, it is no longer “the real me” doing it but the sin housed inside me. 21 So I find it to be the rule, a kind of perverse “torah,” that although I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me! 22 For in my inner self I completely agree with God’s Torah; 23 but in my various parts, I see a different “torah,” one that battles with the Torah in my mind and makes me a prisoner of sin’s “torah,” which is operating in my various parts. 24 What a miserable creature I am! Who will rescue me from this body bound for death? 25 Thanks be to God [, he will]! — through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord!
To sum up: with my mind, I am a slave of God’s Torah; but with my old nature, I am a slave of sin’s “Torah.”
I was alone in a foreign country, on an overnight stopover after a busy three weeks of preaching and teaching, and I had once again watched TV pornography. No one will know, I’d rationalized; but when I returned home, I felt ashamed and told my wife. I had degraded the holiness of our sexual intimacy, objectified women, and disrupted trust in my marriage. My outer life reflected my desire to serve Jesus. But my inner life focused on me and on what I wanted; and I indulged my sinful nature. I experienced an inner conflict. “The evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing,” wrote the apostle Paul. He understood my struggle.
I know that many people wrestle with the temptation of pornography. Dealing with temptation is a constant effort to check our natural desires, to maintain closeness to the Lord, and to be trustworthy in our relationships. In my case, I felt so much shame that I joined a Christian group for men with similar struggles. Through accountability and prayer, my outer actions gradually began to conform to my inner hopes and intentions. Slowly, the Lord enabled me to overcome my sinful desires. Like Paul, we all participate in a battle between our fleshly desires and our intentions to be spiritual. God through Jesus Christ rescued Paul. Christ rescued me and will do the same for all of us.
The Author: Richard Sims (USA)
Thought for the Day: Christ can work through our fellow Christians to rescue us.
Prayer: Dear God, lead us to Christian friends with whom we can talk about our most difficult struggles. Amen.
Prayer focus: FOR DAILY PERSONAL HOLINESS
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Healing Prayer" for Wednesday, 30 November 2016 with Scripture: James 5:13 Is someone among you in trouble? He should pray. Is someone feeling good? He should sing songs of praise.
14 Is someone among you ill? He should call for the elders of the congregation. They will pray for him and rub olive oil on him in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer offered with trust will heal the one who is ill — the Lord will restore his health; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, openly acknowledge your sins to one another, and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Three-and-a-half hours had elapsed as my sister’s friends and family waited in the crowded hospital lounge. We were relieved when the physician made her way toward us. With concern in her eyes, she explained to us that the operation had gone well, but she also had bad news. As she was sewing up the incision, the needle had broken off and disappeared into my sister’s stomach. Our hearts plummeted. The doctor assured us that she and her colleagues would find it quickly with the help of X-rays and by possibly widening the incision. After the doctor left, my cousin suggested that we pray. We started praying quietly and reading scripture. Soon, others in the waiting area started talking and praying for one another. This moment drew us together as we realized that praying for one another can bring healing to our souls.
About an hour-and-a-half later, the doctor returned. “I can’t explain it, but the needle rose to the surface, and we were able to pick it right up!” she said. Everyone in the waiting room clapped. A woman sitting next to me said, “Our prayers were answered!”
God answers prayers every day. God wants us to come together in love and concern for one another. When we reach out to one another in unity of spirit, we share the healing love of God and its power to bring us peace.
The Author: Terrye Blevins (Michigan, USA)
Thought for the Day: The prayers of others are gifts from God.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being with us and answering our prayers. Help us to know that your love and grace are more than sufficient. Amen.
Prayer focus: PRAYER GROUPS
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Showing Love" for Tuesday, 29 November 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!’
41 “Then he will also speak to those on his left, saying, ‘Get away from me, you who are cursed! Go off into the fire prepared for the Adversary and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 a stranger and you did not welcome me, needing clothes and you did not give them to me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, needing clothes, sick or in prison, and not take care of you?’ 45 And he will answer them, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you refused to do it for the least important of these people, you refused to do it for me!’ 46 They will go off to eternal punishment, but those who have done what God wants will go to eternal life.”
As I was walking home, I saw three young girls who looked confused. They asked me, “Sister, do you want to cross the road?” I replied, “Oh, no, I’m waiting for the bus.” They looked sad and disappointed. Then I asked them, “Children, where do you want to go?” They said, “We want to buy something in the supermarket across the road, but the road is very crowded and we are afraid.”
I am sometimes frightened when crossing the road too. But on that day, I immediately reached for their hands and helped them across. I was afraid, but I knew God would help us. The children thanked me, and I felt a strong sense of joy. With God’s help I was able to show love to the three girls.
Sometimes we think we cannot do anything to help others. But I believe that with God’s strength we can do much more than we can imagine. God is pleased when we offer love and compassion, no matter how insignificant our actions may seem. God calls each of us to show love to the world.
Read more from the author, here."Showing Love"
“If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship, that I may boast, but do not have love. I gain nothing. … And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 13, NIV)
When an expert in the law stood up and asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered with a parable (See Luke 10:25-37).
A man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho fell into the hands of robbers. The robbers harmed him: stripped off his clothes, beat him, and left him half dead. A priest saw the man but he passed him by on the other side and didn’t offer help; so did the Levite. The Samaritan man noticed him and immediately helped the poor man and took care of him.
I don’t know why the priest and the Levite didn’t do something for the man. Maybe they thought the man had died or they were too busy and in a rush doing their priestly duties. But Jesus said of the Samaritan, “Go and do likewise.” (v. 37)
Love is not only a beautiful word but an action. Love is not passive but so active. Jesus doesn’t only say, “I love you,” but he proved his love through the cross in order to save us, his beloved children. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
You may say, “I was too poor to offer any help.” But helping or showing love to others is not connected with how much money you have. You can show your love by simple actions such as smiling, listening, helping others, and telling them about Jesus’ love.
Like me, you may be afraid to do something that you think you are unable to do. Remember that when God calls, God also equips with the ability to handle your situations. Only “let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart" (Proverbs 3:3, NIV).[Linawati Santoso]
The Author: Linawati Santoso (East Java, Indonesia)
Thought for the Day: Our acts of compassion shine God’s love into the world.
Prayer: God of mercy, help us always to act with love toward others in need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer focus: CHILDREN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Please, Lord, Fill Me” for Monday, 28 November 2016 with Scripture: Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen your drooping arms,
and steady your tottering knees.
4 Say to the fainthearted, “Be strong and unafraid!
Here is your God; he will come with vengeance;
with God’s retribution he will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped;
6 then the lame man will leap like a deer,
and the mute person’s tongue will sing.
For in the desert, springs will burst forth,
streams of water in the ‘Aravah;
7 the sandy mirage will become a pool,
the thirsty ground springs of water.
The haunts where jackals lie down will become
a marsh filled with reeds and papyrus.
8 A highway will be there, a way,
called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not pass over it,
but it will be for those whom he guides —
fools will not stray along it.
9 No lion or other beast of prey
will be there, traveling on it.
They will not be found there,
but the redeemed will go there.
10 Those ransomed by Adonai will return
and come with singing to Tziyon,
on their heads will be everlasting joy.
They will acquire gladness and joy,
while sorrow and sighing will flee.
As a former water-utilities instructor traveling throughout West Texas, I’ve seen drought many times — up close and personal. To me, drought is scarier than almost any other natural disaster. When fires or floods hit, we can survey the damage and then start cleaning it up. But drought is like a cancer, slowly and steadily depleting the land. Day after day, the sun bakes the land; the crops and fields wither and die, and eventually even the very earth dries up and blows away. I remember one small town with a tiny lake as the only source of water. As the water level crept lower and lower, somebody had affixed a homemade sign to the depth gauge with a message that said it all: “Please, Lord, fill me.”
It takes a very determined faith to last through such times. But it is worth it when the rains finally do come. Literally overnight, the skies clear and the dust settles. Then, land that just a few days before had been a desert begins to bloom again. It’s always true. We may dig holes in the ground on faith, but only God can fill them with the water of life.
The Author
Mark A. Carter (Texas, USA)
Thought for the Day: In times of spiritual drought, God can fill me with hope.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember always that no matter how barren our lives may seem, you can always make them green again. Amen.
Prayer focus: COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY DROUGHT
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "The Power of Jesus" for Sunday, 27 November 2016 with Scripture: Luke 5:12 Once, when Yeshua was in one of the towns, there came a man completely covered with tzara‘at. On seeing Yeshua, he fell on his face and begged him, “Sir, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Yeshua reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing! Be cleansed!” Immediately the tzara‘at left him. 14 Then Yeshua warned him not to tell anyone. “Instead, as a testimony to the people, go straight to the cohen and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moshe commanded.” 15 But the news about Yeshua kept spreading all the more, so that huge crowds would gather to listen and be healed of their sicknesses.
In today’s reading, we find a man confronted with bad news: he has been struck by a painful and incurable disease. Leprosy (now called Hansen’s Disease) is a disease whose effects are visible on the skin: blemishes, wounds, and bruises that in severe cases disfigure the body. Can we find any good news in such a painful situation? Yes! Jesus’ power shines in the midst of the greatest darkness.
The presence of Jesus was the first good news to the man with leprosy. Simply because the Lord was there, the man rediscovered hope — something he had lost long ago. “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” was his cry. Lying prostrate on the ground was a sign of grief, of deep sadness. And that man had reason to feel that way. But at the same time, he believed that Jesus could heal him.
This remains good news for us today. In the presence of the Lord we can always hope. However great our pain and problems or the difficulties and darkness in our past or in our present, Jesus has the power to restore. us to new life.
The Author: Antonio Wilson (Inhambane, Mozambique)
Thought for the Day: I can find hope for healing in Jesus.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your healing power in our lives. Grant us the strength to come to you in the face of good news and bad. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE WITH CHRONIC DISEASES-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Trusting God" for Saturday, 26 November 2016 with Scripture: Proverbs 3:Proverbs 3:1 My son, don’t forget my teaching,
keep my commands in your heart;
2 for they will add to you many days,
years of life and peace.
3 Do not let grace and truth leave you —
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and esteem
in the sight of God and of people.
5 Trust in Adonai with all your heart;
do not rely on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him;
then he will level your paths.
7 Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom;
but fear Adonai, and turn from evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and give strength to your bones.
My father was a pastor in another state and truly devoted to the church. He had diabetes and was insulin dependent. One day, after visiting him, I prayed that God would not let my father die alone. Three weeks later, on a Sunday morning, I received a call that he had been found deceased in the church office. I felt hurt and angry that he had died alone, and no one had checked on him. I was also angry at God because I felt that God had not heard my prayer. I wept.
Then I remembered the verse quoted above. Although I was still angry, I sought comfort through prayer and reading the Bible. I cried out to God as I read my Bible, many times falling asleep with it in my arms. Soon after my father’s funeral, I began to feel God’s peace again.
Trusting God is about having faith that no matter what happens, God’s word is true — and then obeying that word. God welcomes us when we’re hurt, lonely, afraid, or just don’t know what to do. Whatever we experience — whether the loss of a loved one or problems in our jobs, in our homes, or in relationships — we can trust in God.
See a picture of Yolando with her father, here.
We all know how hard it is to accept criticism, especially when we’re fully convinced that we’re in the right. When we get back that best-written paper from our professor, we cringe at all the critical remarks in the margin in red ink! But, in the course of time, we learn to appreciate criticism given in love: from our spouse or from true friends who are willing to point out the faults in us and call for change.
Such a friend is John the Baptizer. As we make ready to receive Christ who comes to us in every moment of our lives, we remember John’s call to turn around and make a new beginning in our lives every day. John’s was a baptism “of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3; NIV, NRSV), a repentance that calls us to shift away from our attachment to passing things to focus on what truly matters. John carefully pointed out to his followers that he was not the one they should look for. He was simply a preacher pointing to the ultimate source of life in all its fullness — Jesus — as he proclaimed, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
In this season of Advent we take stock of the secondary things and persons that demand our attention and loyalty and return to our commitment to Christ, the ultimate source of joy and peace.
The Author: M. Thomas Thangaraj (India)
Thought for the Day: Today, I will turn from what is lesser to what is greatest: Jesus Christ.
Prayer: O God, grant us the wisdom to recognize the lesser things and turn around to adore you as our ultimate source of life. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE WHO REJECT ALL CRITICISM
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Doing What Is Right" for Friday, 2 December 2016 with Scripture: Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart in Adonai’s hand is like streams of water —he directs it wherever he pleases.
2 All a person’s ways are right in his own view,
but Adonai weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just
is more pleasing to Adonai than sacrifice.
4 Haughty looks, a proud heart —
what the wicked plow is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead only to abundance;
but all who rush in arrive only at want.
6 A fortune gained by a lying tongue
is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to act justly.
8 A criminal’s conduct is crooked,
but the work of the pure is right.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof
than to share the house with a nagging wife.
10 The wicked is set on evil;
he doesn’t pity even his neighbor.
11 When a scorner is punished, the simple become wiser;
and when the wise is instructed, he takes hold of knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
13 Whoever stops up his ears at the cry of the poor
will himself cry, but not be answered.
14 A secret gift allays anger,
and a bribe under the cloak the strongest fury.
15 Acting justly is a joy for the righteous
but it terrifies evildoers.
16 The person who strays from the way of common sense
will come to rest in the company of the dead.
17 Pleasure-lovers will suffer want;
he who loves wine and oil won’t get rich.
18 The wicked serve as a ransom for the righteous,
and likewise the perfidious for the upright.
19 It is better to live in the desert
than with a nagging, irritable wife.
20 In the home of the wise are fine treasures and oil,
but a fool quickly devours it.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
finds life, prosperity and honor.
-------
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.[Proverbs 21:21 (NRSV)]Recently, I was struggling with feelings of uncertainty and a lack of direction; in general I wasn’t sure how I felt. My uncertainties were frustrating and affected nearly everything I did. I felt detached from my home life. My work was affected because I felt removed from it as well. Focusing on my work was difficult. I kept asking myself, Why? Why am I doing this? Who cares whether I accomplish my goals? I finally took my problem to the Lord. Instead of asking myself questions, I asked God.
As I prayed and listened for God, Proverbs 21:21 came to mind. What a balm to my spirit! God knows my direction and goals and cares about me no matter what. My job, according to the scripture, is to pursue righteousness. I can make it my duty to live with love and mercy and to do what is right. Life won’t always be easy; but if we work to “pursue righteousness and kindness,” then we “will find life and honor.”
Read more from the author, here."Being Different is Totally Okay"
I continue to be amazed with God’s provisions. After having 30 plus years of writing under my belt it seems God has placed me in a position to do good, not only for children, but also for the parents of children.It is surprising how many people know so little about special needs, unless they are directly involved with someone who has them. Those “in the know” are teaching, are a counselor, or are otherwise professionally involved.
In addition to writing “HeartSong,” a Christian blog at http://margiejharding.blogspot.com, and “Daily Threads,” a secular blog at www.margieharding.com, I continue to focus on the Paxton Series, a children’s book series focusing on special needs and disabilities. The goal is to meet the needs of both the child with the special need and the child who asks, “What’s wrong with my friend?”
What has been remarkable for me, however, is to see how God is using the books. Schools and libraries are using them to teach children; a college professor is using them to educate her students preparing to work with children of special needs; gift shops and stores are picking them up as well.
Our special needs children need to know it is totally okay to be different! And the children they encounter every day need to know every child has the right to be treated kindly and respectfully and loved.
While I had not planned on traveling down this road, I thank God for allowing me to be part of this journey! My faith has grown as my dedication to this project continues to blossom. I am indeed grateful and blessed![Margie Harding]
The Author: Margie Harding (Maryland, USA)
Thought for the Day: God cares about me no matter what.
Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes we get confused and we’re not sure what to do. Guide our steps toward the path of righteousness so that we can live abundantly. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE SEARCHING FOR DIRECTION-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Desires in Conflict" for Thursday, 1 December 2016 with Scripture: Romans 7:14 For we know that the Torah is of the Spirit; but as for me, I am bound to the old nature, sold to sin as a slave. 15 I don’t understand my own behavior — I don’t do what I want to do; instead, I do the very thing I hate! 16 Now if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am agreeing that the Torah is good. 17 But now it is no longer “the real me” doing it, but the sin housed inside me. 18 For I know that there is nothing good housed inside me — that is, inside my old nature. I can want what is good, but I can’t do it! 19 For I don’t do the good I want; instead, the evil that I don’t want is what I do! 20 But if I am doing what “the real me” doesn’t want, it is no longer “the real me” doing it but the sin housed inside me. 21 So I find it to be the rule, a kind of perverse “torah,” that although I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me! 22 For in my inner self I completely agree with God’s Torah; 23 but in my various parts, I see a different “torah,” one that battles with the Torah in my mind and makes me a prisoner of sin’s “torah,” which is operating in my various parts. 24 What a miserable creature I am! Who will rescue me from this body bound for death? 25 Thanks be to God [, he will]! — through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord!To sum up: with my mind, I am a slave of God’s Torah; but with my old nature, I am a slave of sin’s “Torah.”
-------
Paul wrote, “I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing.”[Romans 7:19 (NIV)]I was alone in a foreign country, on an overnight stopover after a busy three weeks of preaching and teaching, and I had once again watched TV pornography. No one will know, I’d rationalized; but when I returned home, I felt ashamed and told my wife. I had degraded the holiness of our sexual intimacy, objectified women, and disrupted trust in my marriage. My outer life reflected my desire to serve Jesus. But my inner life focused on me and on what I wanted; and I indulged my sinful nature. I experienced an inner conflict. “The evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing,” wrote the apostle Paul. He understood my struggle.
I know that many people wrestle with the temptation of pornography. Dealing with temptation is a constant effort to check our natural desires, to maintain closeness to the Lord, and to be trustworthy in our relationships. In my case, I felt so much shame that I joined a Christian group for men with similar struggles. Through accountability and prayer, my outer actions gradually began to conform to my inner hopes and intentions. Slowly, the Lord enabled me to overcome my sinful desires. Like Paul, we all participate in a battle between our fleshly desires and our intentions to be spiritual. God through Jesus Christ rescued Paul. Christ rescued me and will do the same for all of us.
The Author: Richard Sims (USA)
Thought for the Day: Christ can work through our fellow Christians to rescue us.
Prayer: Dear God, lead us to Christian friends with whom we can talk about our most difficult struggles. Amen.
Prayer focus: FOR DAILY PERSONAL HOLINESS
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Healing Prayer" for Wednesday, 30 November 2016 with Scripture: James 5:13 Is someone among you in trouble? He should pray. Is someone feeling good? He should sing songs of praise.14 Is someone among you ill? He should call for the elders of the congregation. They will pray for him and rub olive oil on him in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer offered with trust will heal the one who is ill — the Lord will restore his health; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, openly acknowledge your sins to one another, and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
-------
Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.[James 5:16 (NRSV)]Three-and-a-half hours had elapsed as my sister’s friends and family waited in the crowded hospital lounge. We were relieved when the physician made her way toward us. With concern in her eyes, she explained to us that the operation had gone well, but she also had bad news. As she was sewing up the incision, the needle had broken off and disappeared into my sister’s stomach. Our hearts plummeted. The doctor assured us that she and her colleagues would find it quickly with the help of X-rays and by possibly widening the incision. After the doctor left, my cousin suggested that we pray. We started praying quietly and reading scripture. Soon, others in the waiting area started talking and praying for one another. This moment drew us together as we realized that praying for one another can bring healing to our souls.
About an hour-and-a-half later, the doctor returned. “I can’t explain it, but the needle rose to the surface, and we were able to pick it right up!” she said. Everyone in the waiting room clapped. A woman sitting next to me said, “Our prayers were answered!”
God answers prayers every day. God wants us to come together in love and concern for one another. When we reach out to one another in unity of spirit, we share the healing love of God and its power to bring us peace.
The Author: Terrye Blevins (Michigan, USA)
Thought for the Day: The prayers of others are gifts from God.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being with us and answering our prayers. Help us to know that your love and grace are more than sufficient. Amen.
Prayer focus: PRAYER GROUPS
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Showing Love" for Tuesday, 29 November 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!’
41 “Then he will also speak to those on his left, saying, ‘Get away from me, you who are cursed! Go off into the fire prepared for the Adversary and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 a stranger and you did not welcome me, needing clothes and you did not give them to me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, needing clothes, sick or in prison, and not take care of you?’ 45 And he will answer them, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you refused to do it for the least important of these people, you refused to do it for me!’ 46 They will go off to eternal punishment, but those who have done what God wants will go to eternal life.”
-------
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”[Matthew 25:40 (NIV)]As I was walking home, I saw three young girls who looked confused. They asked me, “Sister, do you want to cross the road?” I replied, “Oh, no, I’m waiting for the bus.” They looked sad and disappointed. Then I asked them, “Children, where do you want to go?” They said, “We want to buy something in the supermarket across the road, but the road is very crowded and we are afraid.”
I am sometimes frightened when crossing the road too. But on that day, I immediately reached for their hands and helped them across. I was afraid, but I knew God would help us. The children thanked me, and I felt a strong sense of joy. With God’s help I was able to show love to the three girls.
Sometimes we think we cannot do anything to help others. But I believe that with God’s strength we can do much more than we can imagine. God is pleased when we offer love and compassion, no matter how insignificant our actions may seem. God calls each of us to show love to the world.
Read more from the author, here."Showing Love"
“If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship, that I may boast, but do not have love. I gain nothing. … And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 13, NIV)When an expert in the law stood up and asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered with a parable (See Luke 10:25-37).
A man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho fell into the hands of robbers. The robbers harmed him: stripped off his clothes, beat him, and left him half dead. A priest saw the man but he passed him by on the other side and didn’t offer help; so did the Levite. The Samaritan man noticed him and immediately helped the poor man and took care of him.
I don’t know why the priest and the Levite didn’t do something for the man. Maybe they thought the man had died or they were too busy and in a rush doing their priestly duties. But Jesus said of the Samaritan, “Go and do likewise.” (v. 37)
Love is not only a beautiful word but an action. Love is not passive but so active. Jesus doesn’t only say, “I love you,” but he proved his love through the cross in order to save us, his beloved children. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
You may say, “I was too poor to offer any help.” But helping or showing love to others is not connected with how much money you have. You can show your love by simple actions such as smiling, listening, helping others, and telling them about Jesus’ love.
Like me, you may be afraid to do something that you think you are unable to do. Remember that when God calls, God also equips with the ability to handle your situations. Only “let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart" (Proverbs 3:3, NIV).[Linawati Santoso]
The Author: Linawati Santoso (East Java, Indonesia)
Thought for the Day: Our acts of compassion shine God’s love into the world.
Prayer: God of mercy, help us always to act with love toward others in need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer focus: CHILDREN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Please, Lord, Fill Me” for Monday, 28 November 2016 with Scripture: Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen your drooping arms,and steady your tottering knees.
4 Say to the fainthearted, “Be strong and unafraid!
Here is your God; he will come with vengeance;
with God’s retribution he will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped;
6 then the lame man will leap like a deer,
and the mute person’s tongue will sing.
For in the desert, springs will burst forth,
streams of water in the ‘Aravah;
7 the sandy mirage will become a pool,
the thirsty ground springs of water.
The haunts where jackals lie down will become
a marsh filled with reeds and papyrus.
8 A highway will be there, a way,
called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not pass over it,
but it will be for those whom he guides —
fools will not stray along it.
9 No lion or other beast of prey
will be there, traveling on it.
They will not be found there,
but the redeemed will go there.
10 Those ransomed by Adonai will return
and come with singing to Tziyon,
on their heads will be everlasting joy.
They will acquire gladness and joy,
while sorrow and sighing will flee.
-------
Jesus said to [the crowd], “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”[John 6:35 (NRSV)]As a former water-utilities instructor traveling throughout West Texas, I’ve seen drought many times — up close and personal. To me, drought is scarier than almost any other natural disaster. When fires or floods hit, we can survey the damage and then start cleaning it up. But drought is like a cancer, slowly and steadily depleting the land. Day after day, the sun bakes the land; the crops and fields wither and die, and eventually even the very earth dries up and blows away. I remember one small town with a tiny lake as the only source of water. As the water level crept lower and lower, somebody had affixed a homemade sign to the depth gauge with a message that said it all: “Please, Lord, fill me.”
It takes a very determined faith to last through such times. But it is worth it when the rains finally do come. Literally overnight, the skies clear and the dust settles. Then, land that just a few days before had been a desert begins to bloom again. It’s always true. We may dig holes in the ground on faith, but only God can fill them with the water of life.
The Author
Mark A. Carter (Texas, USA)
Thought for the Day: In times of spiritual drought, God can fill me with hope.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember always that no matter how barren our lives may seem, you can always make them green again. Amen.
Prayer focus: COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY DROUGHT
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "The Power of Jesus" for Sunday, 27 November 2016 with Scripture: Luke 5:12 Once, when Yeshua was in one of the towns, there came a man completely covered with tzara‘at. On seeing Yeshua, he fell on his face and begged him, “Sir, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Yeshua reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing! Be cleansed!” Immediately the tzara‘at left him. 14 Then Yeshua warned him not to tell anyone. “Instead, as a testimony to the people, go straight to the cohen and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moshe commanded.” 15 But the news about Yeshua kept spreading all the more, so that huge crowds would gather to listen and be healed of their sicknesses.
-------
It came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy; who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.[Luke 5:12 (KJV)]In today’s reading, we find a man confronted with bad news: he has been struck by a painful and incurable disease. Leprosy (now called Hansen’s Disease) is a disease whose effects are visible on the skin: blemishes, wounds, and bruises that in severe cases disfigure the body. Can we find any good news in such a painful situation? Yes! Jesus’ power shines in the midst of the greatest darkness.
The presence of Jesus was the first good news to the man with leprosy. Simply because the Lord was there, the man rediscovered hope — something he had lost long ago. “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” was his cry. Lying prostrate on the ground was a sign of grief, of deep sadness. And that man had reason to feel that way. But at the same time, he believed that Jesus could heal him.
This remains good news for us today. In the presence of the Lord we can always hope. However great our pain and problems or the difficulties and darkness in our past or in our present, Jesus has the power to restore. us to new life.
The Author: Antonio Wilson (Inhambane, Mozambique)
Thought for the Day: I can find hope for healing in Jesus.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your healing power in our lives. Grant us the strength to come to you in the face of good news and bad. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE WITH CHRONIC DISEASES-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Trusting God" for Saturday, 26 November 2016 with Scripture: Proverbs 3:Proverbs 3:1 My son, don’t forget my teaching,keep my commands in your heart;
2 for they will add to you many days,
years of life and peace.
3 Do not let grace and truth leave you —
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and esteem
in the sight of God and of people.
5 Trust in Adonai with all your heart;
do not rely on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him;
then he will level your paths.
7 Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom;
but fear Adonai, and turn from evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and give strength to your bones.
-------
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)]My father was a pastor in another state and truly devoted to the church. He had diabetes and was insulin dependent. One day, after visiting him, I prayed that God would not let my father die alone. Three weeks later, on a Sunday morning, I received a call that he had been found deceased in the church office. I felt hurt and angry that he had died alone, and no one had checked on him. I was also angry at God because I felt that God had not heard my prayer. I wept.
Then I remembered the verse quoted above. Although I was still angry, I sought comfort through prayer and reading the Bible. I cried out to God as I read my Bible, many times falling asleep with it in my arms. Soon after my father’s funeral, I began to feel God’s peace again.
Trusting God is about having faith that no matter what happens, God’s word is true — and then obeying that word. God welcomes us when we’re hurt, lonely, afraid, or just don’t know what to do. Whatever we experience — whether the loss of a loved one or problems in our jobs, in our homes, or in relationships — we can trust in God.
See a picture of Yolando with her father, here.
Link2Life for November 26, 2016
Thought for the Day: When everything looks bleak to me, God’s understanding surpasses mine.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to believe in you and to obey your word regardless of how things appear, trusting in your love and faithfulness. Amen.
Prayer focus: PASTORS-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Freedom to Choose" for Friday, 25 November 2016 with Scripture: Romans 11:25 For, brothers, I want you to understand this truth which God formerly concealed but has now revealed, so that you won’t imagine you know more than you actually do. It is that stoniness, to a degree, has come upon Isra’el, until the Gentile world enters in its fullness; 26 and that it is in this way that all Isra’el will be saved. As the Tanakh says,
“Out of Tziyon will come the Redeemer;
he will turn away ungodliness from Ya‘akov
27 and this will be my covenant with them, . . .
when I take away their sins.”[Romans 11:27 Isaiah 59:20–21, 27:9]
28 With respect to the Good News they are hated for your sake. But with respect to being chosen they are loved for the Patriarchs’ sake, 29 for God’s free gifts and his calling are irrevocable. 30 Just as you yourselves were disobedient to God before but have received mercy now because of Isra’el’s disobedience; 31 so also Isra’el has been disobedient now, so that by your showing them the same mercy that God has shown you, they too may now receive God’s mercy. 32 For God has shut up all mankind together in disobedience, in order that he might show mercy to all.
33 O the depth of the riches
and the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments!
How unsearchable are his ways!
34 For, ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Who has been his counselor?’[Romans 11:34 Isaiah 40:13]
35 Or, ‘Who has given him anything
and made him pay it back?’[Romans 11:35 Job 41:3(11)]
36 For from him and through him
and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever!
Amen.
-------
Yolando with her father, Johnny Ray Cooksey
The Author: Yolando S. Cooksey (California, USA)Thought for the Day: When everything looks bleak to me, God’s understanding surpasses mine.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to believe in you and to obey your word regardless of how things appear, trusting in your love and faithfulness. Amen.
Prayer focus: PASTORS-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Freedom to Choose" for Friday, 25 November 2016 with Scripture: Romans 11:25 For, brothers, I want you to understand this truth which God formerly concealed but has now revealed, so that you won’t imagine you know more than you actually do. It is that stoniness, to a degree, has come upon Isra’el, until the Gentile world enters in its fullness; 26 and that it is in this way that all Isra’el will be saved. As the Tanakh says,“Out of Tziyon will come the Redeemer;
he will turn away ungodliness from Ya‘akov
27 and this will be my covenant with them, . . .
when I take away their sins.”[Romans 11:27 Isaiah 59:20–21, 27:9]
28 With respect to the Good News they are hated for your sake. But with respect to being chosen they are loved for the Patriarchs’ sake, 29 for God’s free gifts and his calling are irrevocable. 30 Just as you yourselves were disobedient to God before but have received mercy now because of Isra’el’s disobedience; 31 so also Isra’el has been disobedient now, so that by your showing them the same mercy that God has shown you, they too may now receive God’s mercy. 32 For God has shut up all mankind together in disobedience, in order that he might show mercy to all.
33 O the depth of the riches
and the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments!
How unsearchable are his ways!
34 For, ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Who has been his counselor?’[Romans 11:34 Isaiah 40:13]
35 Or, ‘Who has given him anything
and made him pay it back?’[Romans 11:35 Job 41:3(11)]
36 For from him and through him
and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever!
Amen.
-------
According to God’s choice, they are loved for the sake of their ancestors.[Romans 11:28 (CEB)]
Every day we are required to make choices: when to get up, what to eat, how to approach the day. Many of our choices are major decisions about what road we will travel in life. Our environment, education, goals, friends, and heroes all influence our choices.
As a parent, I made many decisions for my child in his early years; gradually, as he grew older, I allowed Tyler to begin to make his own choices. No matter what I thought, he had to start deciding what road he would walk.
The disciples made a choice. Jesus called to Simon and Andrew: “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people” (Mark 1:17). Jesus offered them a choice that would direct the rest of their lives.
God gives us free will to choose our direction in life. We can choose to pray daily, to read the Bible, to attend church, or to extend kindness to a stranger. When we learn to put our faith in God and to allow God to guide our lives, we can have confidence in the choices we make.
See a picture of Clay with his son, here.
The Author: Clay Vincent (Montana, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today I will seek God’s wisdom for every choice I make.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the wisdom you give us each day. May we use it to make good choices and to give you the glory. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE WHO HELPS ME MAKE GOOD CHOICES-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Thanksgiving Every Day" for Thursday, 24 November 2016 with Scripture: Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! 6 Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.
In my country we celebrate a day of thanksgiving each year. I wonder how many people stop to consider why they celebrate. Does a day of thanksgiving cause us to pause and evaluate what we are truly thankful for?
As Christians, should we — could we — have thanksgiving every day? In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, “In everything give thanks.” The apostle is not saying that we are to give thanks for everything, but in everything — despite the circumstances. We know it is not easy to thank God in the midst of trouble, but we are not alone. God is there with us in the midst of our struggles, guiding us through.
An attitude of praise and thanksgiving is a choice, an act of our will. Sometimes we will not feel like giving thanks. But consider the results of doing so: a change takes place in us and around us; things begin looking up. We can cultivate an attitude of thankfulness and have thanksgiving every day.
The Author: April James (California, USA)
Thought for the Day: What can I thank God for today?
Prayer: O God, we pray that your love will grow in us each day. Help us learn to give thanks in all situations. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE FOR WHOM I AM THANKFUL
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Hungry and Thirsty" for Wednesday, 23 November 2016 with Scripture: John 7:37 Now on the last day of the festival, Hoshana Rabbah, Yeshua stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him keep coming to me and drinking! 38 Whoever puts his trust in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from his inmost being!” 39 (Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who trusted in him were to receive later — the Spirit had not yet been given, because Yeshua had not yet been glorified.)
-------
Every day we are required to make choices: when to get up, what to eat, how to approach the day. Many of our choices are major decisions about what road we will travel in life. Our environment, education, goals, friends, and heroes all influence our choices.
As a parent, I made many decisions for my child in his early years; gradually, as he grew older, I allowed Tyler to begin to make his own choices. No matter what I thought, he had to start deciding what road he would walk.
The disciples made a choice. Jesus called to Simon and Andrew: “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people” (Mark 1:17). Jesus offered them a choice that would direct the rest of their lives.
God gives us free will to choose our direction in life. We can choose to pray daily, to read the Bible, to attend church, or to extend kindness to a stranger. When we learn to put our faith in God and to allow God to guide our lives, we can have confidence in the choices we make.
See a picture of Clay with his son, here.
Link2Life for November 25, 2016
Clay Vincent with his son, Tyler
Thought for the Day: Today I will seek God’s wisdom for every choice I make.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the wisdom you give us each day. May we use it to make good choices and to give you the glory. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE WHO HELPS ME MAKE GOOD CHOICES-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Thanksgiving Every Day" for Thursday, 24 November 2016 with Scripture: Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! 6 Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.
-------
Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!“[Philippians 4:4 (NIV)]In my country we celebrate a day of thanksgiving each year. I wonder how many people stop to consider why they celebrate. Does a day of thanksgiving cause us to pause and evaluate what we are truly thankful for?
As Christians, should we — could we — have thanksgiving every day? In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, “In everything give thanks.” The apostle is not saying that we are to give thanks for everything, but in everything — despite the circumstances. We know it is not easy to thank God in the midst of trouble, but we are not alone. God is there with us in the midst of our struggles, guiding us through.
An attitude of praise and thanksgiving is a choice, an act of our will. Sometimes we will not feel like giving thanks. But consider the results of doing so: a change takes place in us and around us; things begin looking up. We can cultivate an attitude of thankfulness and have thanksgiving every day.
The Author: April James (California, USA)
Thought for the Day: What can I thank God for today?
Prayer: O God, we pray that your love will grow in us each day. Help us learn to give thanks in all situations. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE FOR WHOM I AM THANKFUL
-------
The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Hungry and Thirsty" for Wednesday, 23 November 2016 with Scripture: John 7:37 Now on the last day of the festival, Hoshana Rabbah, Yeshua stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him keep coming to me and drinking! 38 Whoever puts his trust in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from his inmost being!” 39 (Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who trusted in him were to receive later — the Spirit had not yet been given, because Yeshua had not yet been glorified.)
[God] has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.[Luke 1:53 (NIV)]
“Come on, boys; dinner’s ready!” My daughter called her two young sons to the table. James came running and sat down, looking to see what delicious food his mother had prepared. Jonny came slowly, bringing some of his toy cars to the table. “Put them away now, and eat up,” said Mum. Jonny wriggled on his seat but made no effort to do what she said. “Jonny’s been eating sweets from his friend. He doesn’t want any dinner,” said James smugly. “He ate the whole bagful.” Jonny had come to a feast already full of snack food.
Sometimes, like Jonny, I need more discipline in my life. It is so easy to fill my life with books, television, and other kinds of entertainment that I don’t have much of an appetite for God. Most of these pastimes are not bad in themselves, but they satisfy me only for a short time. I want to come hungry and thirsty to the feast of love God continually spreads for all.
See a picture of Marion and her family, here.Link2Life for November 23, 2016
Prayer: Dear Lord, we come to your table hungry and thirsty for you. Thank you for giving us nothing less than your own self. As Jesus taught us, we 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: PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN-------
“Come on, boys; dinner’s ready!” My daughter called her two young sons to the table. James came running and sat down, looking to see what delicious food his mother had prepared. Jonny came slowly, bringing some of his toy cars to the table. “Put them away now, and eat up,” said Mum. Jonny wriggled on his seat but made no effort to do what she said. “Jonny’s been eating sweets from his friend. He doesn’t want any dinner,” said James smugly. “He ate the whole bagful.” Jonny had come to a feast already full of snack food.
Sometimes, like Jonny, I need more discipline in my life. It is so easy to fill my life with books, television, and other kinds of entertainment that I don’t have much of an appetite for God. Most of these pastimes are not bad in themselves, but they satisfy me only for a short time. I want to come hungry and thirsty to the feast of love God continually spreads for all.
See a picture of Marion and her family, here.Link2Life for November 23, 2016
Marion with daughter Miriam Greenlaw
Grandsons James & Jonny (red shirt) Greenlaw.
The Author: Marion Turnbull (Merseyside, England)
Thought for the Day: What is pulling my attention away from God?Prayer: Dear Lord, we come to your table hungry and thirsty for you. Thank you for giving us nothing less than your own self. As Jesus taught us, we 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: PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN-------
No comments:
Post a Comment