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Joshua 4:18 The cohanim carrying the ark for the covenant of Adonai came up from the Yarden riverbed, and as soon as the soles of the feet of the cohanim touched dry ground, the water of the Yarden returned to its place and the river overflowed its banks as it had before.
[Joshua] said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’” [Joshua 4:21-22 (NIV)]
When I finished reading aloud a devotion to a friend, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small, smooth, pink stone. She told me that she always carries it with her as a reminder to pause for reflection during the day — to give thanks to God for all the blessings she has received, to look past the mundane tasks and see afresh the beauty in a moment, or to quiet her heart and catch a glimpse of God nearby. Whenever my friend grasps her small stone, it prompts her to stop and remember.
In today’s reading, the Israelites gathered 12 stones for the same purpose — to remember. These 12 stones were significant because the Israelites collected them from the dry riverbed as they crossed the Jordan. Each stone represented a tribe of Israel, symbolizing the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt. Whenever the Israelites looked at the stones, they would remember how God had intervened in a mighty way.
God also encourages us to remember. When we consider God’s goodness and love in the past, we find courage to trust God for the days ahead.
Read more from the author, here.
The Author: Lin Daniels (Massachusetts, USA)
Thought for the Day: Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past gives me hope for the future.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to think of you throughout each day. May we catch glimpses of you and remember your goodness to us. Amen.
Prayer focus: SPIRITUAL FRIENDS
19 The people came up out of the Yarden on the tenth day of the first month and camped at Gilgal, by the eastern boundary of Yericho. 20 Those twelve stones which they took out of the Yarden, Y’hoshua piled up at Gilgal. 21 Then he said to the people of Isra’el, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers what these stones mean, 22 you are to explain it to them by saying, ‘Isra’el came over this Yarden on dry land. 23 For Adonai your God dried up the water in the Yarden from in front of you, until you had crossed, just as Adonai your God did to the Sea of Suf, which he dried up from in front of us, until we had crossed. 24 From this all the peoples of the earth can know that the hand of Adonai is strong, and you can fear Adonai your God forever.’”
-------[Joshua] said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’” [Joshua 4:21-22 (NIV)]
When I finished reading aloud a devotion to a friend, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small, smooth, pink stone. She told me that she always carries it with her as a reminder to pause for reflection during the day — to give thanks to God for all the blessings she has received, to look past the mundane tasks and see afresh the beauty in a moment, or to quiet her heart and catch a glimpse of God nearby. Whenever my friend grasps her small stone, it prompts her to stop and remember.
In today’s reading, the Israelites gathered 12 stones for the same purpose — to remember. These 12 stones were significant because the Israelites collected them from the dry riverbed as they crossed the Jordan. Each stone represented a tribe of Israel, symbolizing the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt. Whenever the Israelites looked at the stones, they would remember how God had intervened in a mighty way.
God also encourages us to remember. When we consider God’s goodness and love in the past, we find courage to trust God for the days ahead.
Read more from the author, here.
The Author: Lin Daniels (Massachusetts, USA)
Thought for the Day: Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past gives me hope for the future.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to think of you throughout each day. May we catch glimpses of you and remember your goodness to us. Amen.
Prayer focus: SPIRITUAL FRIENDS
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The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Thursday, 24 August 2017 "SERVER AVAILABLE 24/7" Read Psalm 34:1-18
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Psalm 34:1 (0) By David, when he pretended to be insane before Avimelekh, who then drove him away; so he left:
2 (1) I will bless Adonai at all times;
his praise will always be in my mouth.
3 (2) When I boast, it will be about Adonai;
the humble will hear of it and be glad.
4 (3) Proclaim with me the greatness of Adonai;
let us exalt his name together.
5 (4) I sought Adonai, and he answered me;
he rescued me from everything I feared.
6 (5) They looked to him and grew radiant;
their faces will never blush for shame.
7 (6) This poor man cried; Adonai heard
and saved him from all his troubles.
8 (7) The angel of Adonai, who encamps
around those who fear him, delivers them.
9 (8) Taste, and see that Adonai is good.
How blessed are those who take refuge in him!
10 (9) Fear Adonai, you holy ones of his,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
11 (10) Young lions can be needy, they can go hungry,
but those who seek Adonai lack nothing good.
12 (11) Come, children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of Adonai.
13 (12) Which of you takes pleasure in living?
Who wants a long life to see good things?
14 (13) [If you do,] keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from deceiving talk;
15 (14) turn from evil, and do good;
seek peace, go after it!
16 (15) The eyes of Adonai watch over the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
17 (16) But the face of Adonai opposes those who do evil,
to cut off all memory of them from the earth.
18 (17) [The righteous] cried out, and Adonai heard,
and he saved them from all their troubles.
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This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. [Psalm 34:6 (NIV)]
After we were given computers to enhance learning for our junior high school students, we were excited to connect with donors and well-wishers to give them our heartfelt thanks. We wanted to report to the donors as soon as we were connected to the Internet.
When we had composed our messages and were ready to send our e-mails, the server was not available. It took several minutes to connect, but the moment the server was available the speed of communication was beyond our expectations.
Computers have provided us technology that allows us to reach people far and near in no time — if the server that provides quick service is available. But for all who have faith in Jesus the lines to Almighty God are open at any time in any conditions. We need only to call on God with a sincere heart. God is ready to listen to our prayers because we have sought a genuine connection through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Read more from the author, here.
More from Benjamin R. K. Lall
It gives me a great honor to recognize the Bishop Victor Raja who sent us to Mabel Jones School, Sitapur U.P. India in 1999. The school and hostel has a history with the Methodist Church in India because of the renowned Evangelist and Acharya (religious instructor) E. Stanley Jones who began his ministry in 1910 at Sitapur.
When my wife Airylio Benjamin took charge of the school and hostel in 1999, its buildings were in bad shape due to lack of maintenance. It was Bishop Raja who invited us to Sat Tal Ashram where Bishop J.K. Matthews and Mrs. Eunice Matthews with their two daughters and team came for the celebration of 70th Anniversary of Sat Tal Ashram in Nainital U.K. India.
They had a very hectic day because the team came all the way from the USA and were settling down in the Ashram for the night. Somehow Bishop Raja arranged a meeting with Bishop Matthews and his wife. The next day we had a little time and proposed the plans for the renovation of the school and for installing computers for the students. Finally the funds were channeled through MCI treasury Mumbai and the computers with connections to the Internet were available. The computers allowed us to connect with the persons who were prayerfully supportive of the institution.
It gave us a new experience to be connected to the Internet, and when the server was available the connection to other corners of the world was very easy. When the server was down, we had to wait for the Internet connection to resume.
As for us who are connected by Jesus Christ there is no obstacle of any kind. Always we are connected to Christ and ready to receive the signal. [Benjamin R.K. Lall, Assam , India]
The Author: Benjamin R. K. Lall (Assam, India)
Thought for the Day: God is always available to hear my prayers.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your promise to hear us. Help us to trust that you are always listening. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE STRUGGLING WITH TECHNOLOGY
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. [Psalm 34:6 (NIV)]
After we were given computers to enhance learning for our junior high school students, we were excited to connect with donors and well-wishers to give them our heartfelt thanks. We wanted to report to the donors as soon as we were connected to the Internet.
When we had composed our messages and were ready to send our e-mails, the server was not available. It took several minutes to connect, but the moment the server was available the speed of communication was beyond our expectations.
Computers have provided us technology that allows us to reach people far and near in no time — if the server that provides quick service is available. But for all who have faith in Jesus the lines to Almighty God are open at any time in any conditions. We need only to call on God with a sincere heart. God is ready to listen to our prayers because we have sought a genuine connection through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Read more from the author, here.
More from Benjamin R. K. Lall
It gives me a great honor to recognize the Bishop Victor Raja who sent us to Mabel Jones School, Sitapur U.P. India in 1999. The school and hostel has a history with the Methodist Church in India because of the renowned Evangelist and Acharya (religious instructor) E. Stanley Jones who began his ministry in 1910 at Sitapur.
When my wife Airylio Benjamin took charge of the school and hostel in 1999, its buildings were in bad shape due to lack of maintenance. It was Bishop Raja who invited us to Sat Tal Ashram where Bishop J.K. Matthews and Mrs. Eunice Matthews with their two daughters and team came for the celebration of 70th Anniversary of Sat Tal Ashram in Nainital U.K. India.
They had a very hectic day because the team came all the way from the USA and were settling down in the Ashram for the night. Somehow Bishop Raja arranged a meeting with Bishop Matthews and his wife. The next day we had a little time and proposed the plans for the renovation of the school and for installing computers for the students. Finally the funds were channeled through MCI treasury Mumbai and the computers with connections to the Internet were available. The computers allowed us to connect with the persons who were prayerfully supportive of the institution.
It gave us a new experience to be connected to the Internet, and when the server was available the connection to other corners of the world was very easy. When the server was down, we had to wait for the Internet connection to resume.
As for us who are connected by Jesus Christ there is no obstacle of any kind. Always we are connected to Christ and ready to receive the signal. [Benjamin R.K. Lall, Assam , India]
The Author: Benjamin R. K. Lall (Assam, India)
Thought for the Day: God is always available to hear my prayers.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your promise to hear us. Help us to trust that you are always listening. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE STRUGGLING WITH TECHNOLOGY
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The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 23 August 2017 "WORKING FOR THE LORD" Read Ephesians 6:5-9
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Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your human masters with the same fear, trembling and single-heartedness with which you obey the Messiah. 6 Don’t obey just to win their favor, serving only when they are watching you; but serve as slaves of the Messiah, doing what God wants with all your heart. 7 Work willingly as slaves, as people do who are serving not merely human beings but the Lord. 8 Remember that whoever does good work, whether he be a slave or a free man, will be rewarded by the Lord.
9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way. Don’t threaten them. Remember that in heaven both you and they have the same Master, and he has no favorites.
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Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women. [Ephesians 6:7 (NRSV)]
In my late twenties, a few years after I had committed my life to Christ, I was working as a computer programmer for a large company. One day I had been so unsuccessful in searching for an error in a computer program I had written that I began to question my vocational choice. I remember praying, “Lord, I would prefer to serve you full time.” I had always thought that God called only pastors, church workers, and missionaries to full-time Christian service. But that day, I sensed God telling me, “You already serve me full time. I have placed you with this company.”
I learned from this experience that God delights in our honest work in various occupations. God calls some people to serve as pastors and church workers. God also calls Christians to serve in their homes and in many different workplaces.
In whatever we do, we can work at it enthusiastically as if for the Lord and not for people. (See Col. 3:23.) We are called to serve with integrity, a positive attitude, and ethical work habits so that in whatever our occupation, we will bring glory to God.
Read more from the author, here.
More from Whitney Myers
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” [Colossians 3:17 (NIV)]
Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women. [Ephesians 6:7 (NRSV)]
In my late twenties, a few years after I had committed my life to Christ, I was working as a computer programmer for a large company. One day I had been so unsuccessful in searching for an error in a computer program I had written that I began to question my vocational choice. I remember praying, “Lord, I would prefer to serve you full time.” I had always thought that God called only pastors, church workers, and missionaries to full-time Christian service. But that day, I sensed God telling me, “You already serve me full time. I have placed you with this company.”
I learned from this experience that God delights in our honest work in various occupations. God calls some people to serve as pastors and church workers. God also calls Christians to serve in their homes and in many different workplaces.
In whatever we do, we can work at it enthusiastically as if for the Lord and not for people. (See Col. 3:23.) We are called to serve with integrity, a positive attitude, and ethical work habits so that in whatever our occupation, we will bring glory to God.
Read more from the author, here.
More from Whitney Myers
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” [Colossians 3:17 (NIV)]
Yes, God has blessed me through my over 40 years of technical work in satellite communications, and I’m now “retired.” I have learned to take my concerns and requests to God (Phil. 4:6) and to trust God for answers. God always has provided the resources and direction I have needed (Phil. 4:19). I have had the opportunity to participate in and lead Bible Studies in my workplaces. Even when I was temporarily unemployed (three times), God led me to new jobs which provided well for my family.Throughout these years, serving God through music has been my “occupassion.” I am a church pianist, and God has inspired me to compose music for church choirs and congregational singing.
I invite you to visit my website, www.whitneytunes.com. I provide there over 30 compositions you can download, print, and sing for free in your churches. My website provides original hymns, choral arrangements (such as “Jesus Loves Me”), introits, prayer responses, and choral benediction responses. Please also check the page, “Bible Verses about Music,” on my website. Many of my website readers use these scriptures for choir devotions.
Please also visit my Whitneytunes YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJbcUsgCRWyxvysgTkdpOxQ. I have created and posted five music videos since 2016. These music videos include songs and scriptures about inner healing, healing ministry, and telling children about God. Two of the music videos feature photos from Gettysburg National Military Park, near where I live. You may view these music videos for personal devotions, and you may display them in your churches.
Best regards, and may the peace of Christ be with you, [Mr. Whitney V. Myers]
The Author: Whitney V. Myers (Pennsylvania, USA)
Thought for the Day: I will serve the Lord where I am today.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to work in ways that bring you honor and praise. Amen.
Prayer focus: NEW CHRISTIANS
Thought for the Day: I will serve the Lord where I am today.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to work in ways that bring you honor and praise. Amen.
Prayer focus: NEW CHRISTIANS
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