            |
Presbyterians Today
Devotional Guide
 |
SUNDAY • JUNE 1, 2008
Read 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Always
be prepared to give an answer to every-one who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness
and respect, keeping a clear conscience.
— 1 Peter 3:15-16 (N1V)
I
savored being alone at the cafe as much as inhaling the rich aroma of
freshly-brewed coffee. I hunched over my Bible and turned away
from the older man seated near me.
"I was waiting for you to
finish," he said when I closed my Bible. "Last week I saw another
woman here with her Bible. Do a lot of people go to Bible
studies?"
I was surprised by his question. As we talked, I told him
how I had begun a relationship with Jesus Christ 23 years earlier, how
this rescued me from suicide, and how God gave me strength to handle
daily physical pain.
"I admire your faith," he said.
"It's not my faith," 1 replied. "It can be yours too."
"I'm too old and set in my ways," he responded.
"You're never too old."
The man smiled. "I'm late for the math class I'm teaching," he said. "I wish I could talk more."
"I'll pray for you," I replied.
When we live and talk about our faith, we are the aroma of Christ to the world, (See 2 Cor. 2:14.)
Prayer: Dear God, help us be the fragrance of Christ to those we encounter each day. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Through our witness, God can draw others to Christ.
Laurie Alloway (California)
Prayer focus: BIBLE-STUDY GROUPS
MONDAY • JUNE 2, 2008
From Rules to Love
The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor
as
yourself."
— Gaiatians 5:14 (NRSV)
The summer before my wife, Suzanne, and
I became engaged, I was obsessed with questions: How could I be sure
our marriage would not end in divorce? How could I be certain that ours
would he a happy home? It occurred to me that rather than a marriage
license, I was asking for a warranty to take the risk out of loving
another person. But there is no love without risk.
In a similar way,
for many years I wanted my life with God to be legal and literal, like
a game in which all the rules are written down. Living by rules removes
ambiguity and risk. I have spent a lot of my life keeping rules,
preferring to be right rather than loving. But in my loving marriage
and in my life in Christ, I have experienced the difference between
living legalistically and living by grace.
In the spiritual life,
living within the circle of love may require unlearning much of what we
think we know about God. Only as we let love guide our understanding of
the rules can we receive the gift that we know but can never know
fully, the good news that we hear and proclaim: ''God so loved the
world that he gave his only Son .... God did not send the Son into the
world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved
through him" (John 3: 16-1 7).
Prayer: God, take away our need for certainty and give us faith that risks loving others and loving you. Amen.
Thought for the day
Love shatters legalism.
Mike Ripski (Tennessee)
TUESDAY * JUNE 3, 2008
Even in the Rain
Read Peter 1:19-21
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
— Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
In
Missouri, warm summer evenings offer a special treat. As darkness
falls, lawns are covered by the soft, twinkling lights of
fireflies. Children love to catch the fireflies and put them into
jars to create their own special lanterns.
While I walked home at
dusk one hot summer evening with my five-year-old grandson, Zach, a
gentle rain began to fall. He questioned, "Grandpa, can
fire- v flies shine in the rain?" I started to say that
fireflies don't come out in the rain when suddenly al! around us little
lights started twinkling. To my amazement, the fireflies were out in
large number, rising up from the lawn. Fireflies can shine in the
rain!
In a similar way, God's light is stronger than problems that
rain upon us. If we follow the light of Christ as God reveals it
in the Bible, we can find hope even as we walk in the rain. Like
many others, I have endured problems such as divorce, illness,
unemployment, and family conflict. In these disappointments, we need
not stumble into self-pity, anger, or pessimism. God will bless
us with light as we follow Christ; we can shine even in the rain.
'Prayer: Great Morning Star, in difficult times, may we trust you to bring us light and new hope. Amen.
Thouqht for the Day No amount of rain can extinguish the light of Christ.
Cliff Rawley (Missouri)
Prayer focus: THOSE LOOKING FOR LIGHT AND HOPE
WEDNESDAY • JUNE 4, 2008
Read james:15-20
When you realize your guilt . . . you shall confess the sin that you have committed.
— Leviticus 5:5 (NRSV)
We
know we are supposed to confess our sins and seek forgiveness. But
imagine finding not a forgiving God but a judge who is about to
sentence us to life in prison. How would that change our outlook on
confession?
The answer to the question is: it doesn't have to.
Having accepted Christ into my life six days after my arrest, I stood
before the judge knowing that I could not both stand for Christ and lie
on the witness stand. So, I confessed and, according to the penalty
prescribed by law, was given a life sentence. Confessing was one
of the most difficult things I have ever done, but ironically it was
also the most rewarding. God took the small faith I had when I
told the truth in court and began a work that has sustained me for over
20 years in one of the world's toughest prisons. I do not think this
would have been possible had I refused to confess my sin and to live
for God.
By confessing our sins before God and people, we also
confess our total reliance upon God's grace and mercy. The measure of
mercy we receive depends on our willingness to admit our
shortcomings. Our reward is a closer, more intimate relationship
with the One who someday will judge the world.
Prayer: Lord, help us
to lay our sins at the foot of the cross and to humbly seek your
face. Grant us your loving mercy. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Even when we fear our sins, we can confess them and
find forgiveness.
Richard Ryan (Ohio)
Prayer focus: FOR COURAGE TO CONFESS OUR SINS
THURSDAY * JUNE 5, 2008
Read Acts17:16-28
Because
you have made the LORD your refuge, the most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.— Psalm 91:9-
10 (NRSV)
Some time ago I was on a flight from Cairo, Egypt, to
Johannesburg, South Africa. While the crew was preparing the plane for
takeoff, a verse from the Koran appeared on the plane's TV
screens. It was a prayer asking God for a safe arrival at our
destination.
I could hear someone near me chanting the Koranic
verse. T also noticed a young man to my right making the sign of
the cross, an indication of a Christian prayer, asking for a safe trip.
Two different people, a Muslim and a Christian, were expressing their
reliance on God by praying for a safe journey.
During this special
moment, I thought about how God was watching over this flight and all
the passengers. How often do we think to ask for God's protection
and guidance prior to our travels? How might our interactions
with fellow travelers be different if we did?
Prayer: Almighty God,
help us remember to ask for your protection and guidance no matter how
or why or where we travel. 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."* Amen.
Thought; for the Day God is always with us as we travel.
Albert hteero (Cairo, Egypt)
Prayer Focus: TRAVELERS
FRIDAY • JUNE 6, 2008
From the Inside Out
Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Clean what is inside the cup first, and then the outside will be clean too!— Matthew 23:26 (TEV)
During
a slumber party, my daughter and her friends decided to give each other
makeovers. They styled each other's hair, painted each other's nails,
and applied makeup. Throughout the party, I would periodically hear
someone exclaim, "You look so different!"
Then I remembered
something that happened to me a couple of years earlier. I had
just come home from a retreat where I had listened to talks about God's
boundless grace and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus
Christ. For the first time in my life, I began to truly accept
the depth of God's love for me through Christ.
The day after I
returned from the retreat, a friend saw me and asked if I had gotten my
hair cut or had new glasses. "Something seems different about
you," she said. What she saw was the physical manifestation of changes
that were taking place in my heart. As I began to accept God's love,
God began changing how I behaved and spoke — changes from the inside
out.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your unbounded grace. Help
us accept your love for us so that we may become a new creation. Amen.
Thought for the day
God's love changes us from the inside out.
Nancy B. Hahn (New Jersey)
Prayer Focus: THOSE COMING TO ACCEPT GOD'S LOVE
SATURDAY • JUNE 7, 2008
Widening Our View
Read Psalm 66:8-12
We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
— Psalm 66:12 (NIV)
In
the small downtown cafe, the mood of the people was somber. Very early
one morning, fire had broken out. Many items of the owner's gallery of
memorabilia were lost. While we sat there with memories of better days,
some patrons offered consoling words to the owner.
Soon a woman
carrying a basket under her arm entered the cafe. A smile crossed her
face as she stood with her owner-husband. I recognized her as the
woman who faithfully serves the customers and always has a friendly
word for each of us. I struggled to find appropriate words to
say. She thanked me for my concern, put her basket down, and said
with a smile, "There was no one here when the fire broke out, and after
all, we are in God's hands!" As she spoke, she extended her arms with
both palms up. It was a powerful, unexpected affirmation — a
simple response to a tragedy that moved us all.
Whenever I recall
the fire, I see her standing there and hear her unforgettable words of
faith. She is like the psalmist who captured the spirit of people
in times of trial and loss: "We went through fire and water, but you
brought us to a place of abundance." In all situations, God is
with us. We are held in strong and loving hands!
Prayer: Eternal
God, thank you for faithfully watching over us every day. Thank you for
quieting our fears when we are overcome by trouble. In Jesus'
name we pray. Amen.
Through
good times and bad, we are held in God's
hands
Roger L. Smith (Ohio)
Prayer Focus: SURVIVORS OF DISASTERS
SUNDAY • JUNE 8, 2008
Read Matthew 25:31-46
The
king will answer them, ". . . just as you did it to one of the least of
these who are members of my family, you did it to me. "
— Matthew 25:40 (NRSV)
While
walking with my husband along an Oregon beach, I scoured the sand
looking for shells and sand dollars. I kept a slow pace to ensure
that no treasures were missed. My husband, Ed, kept saying, "Look at
that sky. It's beautiful. Don't miss it!"
Each time I
responded, "I will ... in just a minute." Unfortunately, my "minute"
was so long that when I looked up, the flaming red and pink streaks
across the sky were fading. I could only imagine how beautiful
the sky had looked earlier. I had missed something spectacular.
Missing
a beautiful sunrise because of my limited focus was frustrating. Then I
wondered how often I do something similar spiritually. When my focus
centers on me and my interests, not only is my vision limited, but I
also miss the joy and satisfaction of helping others. Jesus taught that
we can trust God to supply our needs. We can widen our view to
concentrate on others' concerns. This gives us joy because when we show
kindness to others, we're doing it for Christ.
'Prayer: Dear God,
help us to see the world through your eyes. May we be receptive
to your leading for our direction. In Jesus' name. Amen.
MONDAY • JUNE 9, 2008
If you Love
Read Galatians 3:26-29
Jesus
said, "Now; I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one
another, then everyone unit know that you are my
disciples.
— John 13:34-35 (TEV)
Recently while out of town, I visited a
church of a different denomination from mine. I enjoy the
opportunity to worship with Christians from other faith
traditions. It gives me perspective and reminds me of the common
bond among all Christians.
The highlight of the service was when the
congregation moved to the altar for Communion. As the elements were
being distributed, I felt deeply moved as I heard the words, "the body
of Christ, broken for you" and "the blood of Christ, shed for
you." I looked into the faces of those at the altar and thought,
These are my brothers and sisters in Christ.
My thoughts traveled to
my home congregation, which has been struggling in recent months over
several issues. Christians may disagree with one another over
methods of baptism, styles of music, roles of women and men. But
when we remember and obey Jesus' command to love one another, we are
the church.
Prayer: Precious Lord, help us always to remember your
love. Forgive us for arguing over minor issues and for taking our
eyes away from you. Guide us to be more loving so that the world
will know we are your disciples. Amen.
Thought for the Day
People will know we are disciples when they see us
reflecting
Christ's
love. Anne
Leonard Trudel (Tennessee)
Prayer Focus: CHURCHES STRUGGLING WITH DISPUTES
TUESDAY • JUNE 10, 2008
The Fountain of Youth
Read, Luke, 2:25-38
Joshua
was old and advanced in years; and the LORD said to him, "You are old
and advanced in years, and very much of the land still remainsto be
possessed."
— Joshua 13:1 (NRSV)
We older folks can learn from the message
that the Lord spoke to Joshua: Yes, you are old, but you have much to
do yet. Often what we need to do is obvious, right in front of us.
It
may also be obvious to others. Why don't we older people take on these
tasks? Hasn't God planned something for us? The Bible shows us more
than once that God uses older people. When God revealed that Isaac
would be born, Sarah was 90 and Abraham 100 years old. Moses was 80
when he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Anna, in the New Testament,
was 84 when she witnessed to others that the newborn Jesus was the
Messiah.
God is the source of the courage and strength we need for
the tasks that lie before us, even though we may think we are too old
or too young or "too" something else. God sees us and is the Lord
of all our years. Is God not permitted to count our years
differently than we count them? God sees in us much ability to
serve, no matter what our age.
Prayer; Teach us, Lord, not to fear
our age but to look to you for strength to serve no matter how old or
how young we are. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Whether we are young or old, God is the Lord of all our days.
Ugo Gastaldi (Lombardia, Italy)— See p. 21.
Prayer focus: OLDER FOLKS WHO FEEL USELESS
Thought for the Day
When we do not pay attention to others, we miss
spectacular moments.
Donna H. Ehason (California)
Prayer Focus: FOR EYES TO SEE WHAT GOD OFFERS
WEDNESDAY • JUNE 11, 2008
Patience
Read James 1:2-5
The
Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand
slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to
repentance.
— 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Patience is a virtue but not one of mine. When I
was young, I heard a minister say that if we pray for patience, events
will come to teach us patience and help us mature. I determined
not to pray for patience so I would never have to wait in long lines,
be delayed in travel, or deal with difficult people. For the
record, that plan did not work out.
Now that I have two children, 1
ask God to help me to be a good mother, which means I pray for
patience. My patience is tested daily by whining, fighting, and
constant demands on my time. On many days, I fail to hold my
temper.
When I am about to give in to my frustration, I try to
remember that God is infinitely patient with me. I have yet to
make it through a day without a lapse of judgment or a transgression.
Though I live with the consequences of my failures, God always welcomes
me back with open arms and lets me try again. Being treated with
love and patience is an amazing gift that we all receive from God and
can pass on to others.
Prayer: God, thank you for your endless
forgiveness and patience with us. Help us to be patient and
forgiving with others. Amen.
Thought for the Day Patience is worth working for.
Amy Pease (Illinois)
'Prayer Focos: PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN
THURSDAY • JUNE 12, 2008
A time to Heal
Read
Ecclesiastes 3:1- 14 [The LORD] heals the brokenhearted and binds Up
their
wounds.
— Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
I stared out the window of the bus as I
traveled home from my first widows' retreat. Only seven months
earlier, Bobby, my husband, had died. I realized how drastically
my life had changed because I had lost the love of my life. I
pondered what I would do now, as a widow in a new season of life.
I felt so alone. I cried out to God, "Lord, I know that widows
are near to your heart. I know that you have a plan for me.
Please give me guidance." God was faithful and spoke to me.
I felt a call to start a widows' ministry that would help widows find
new purpose in life.
Today our group of widows continues to meet to
fellowship, pray, study the Bible, and gain strength and healing as we
reach out to serve others through various ministry projects. God
has led me to Kenya to be a part of a conference to help pastors learn
better how to minister to their widows. I also gave them copies
of my book — describing my first year of widowhood — to be used in this
ministry.
I can see now that God's ultimate plan was to heal my
heart as I served others. If we seek God's help and reach out to
others, those of us who grieve will be sustained and uplifted by God's
sufficient grace.
Prayer: God, help us as we heal, always looking to you forComfort, guidance, and strength. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God loves us as we allow.
Peggy C. Latchem (Tennessee)
Prayer
focus: FOR
HEALING
FRIDAY • JUNE 13, 2008
Depending on God
Read Isaiah 43: 1- 7
When
you pass through the waters, I will he with you;. . , the rivers,
they shall not overwhelm you. . . . For 1 am the LORD your God .
. . your
Savior.
— Isaiah 43:2, 3 (NRSV)
While organizing a writers workshop to
teach Christians how to share their faith through their writing, I
relied heavily on friends for the success of the project. As time
passed, I became afraid and fearful, wondering why they had left me on
my own. Then it occurred to me that I had relied on people for success
rather than on God.
Suddenly, Isaiah 43 came to my mind with its
encouragement and assurance of God's help that I needed at the time.
Reading this passage helped me to change my focus from depending on
people to depending on God. I continue my work, marketing Christian
resources in the central regions of Africa, even while facing many
challenges.
Since my new insight and inspiration, God has
progressively introduced me to new channels for opportunities to spread
God's message to the people. Also, I continue to answer the call to
discipleship as I encourage people to spend time daily with God through
prayer and reading the Bible. I can trust God's assurance to be
with me in my efforts to serve.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach us to
trust you always, even when we face great challenges. We overcome
challenges not by our own power but only by your spirit. In Jesus'
name. Amen.
Thought for the day
When we depend on God, new doors to discipleship are always opening.
Philip Polo (Nairobi, Kenya)
Prayer focus: THOSE WORKING TO PROVIDE
CHRISTIAN RESOURCES IN AFRICA
SATURDAY • JUNE 14, 2008
Never Give up
Read Luke- 73:6-9
Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up.
~ Galatians 6:9 (NRSV)
I
love flowers. The bright colors and varieties create a happy
landscape. Even though I'm not a master gardener, I still enjoy
planting flowers and watching them flourish. When I purchase a plant, I
always read the directions on the label about when and where to plant
and how to water. The label also tells me how big the plant will grow
and when to expect it to bloom.
Sometimes, however, no matter how
well I follow the instructions, the plant doesn't bloom on time.
I continue to care for it as I should, but often I just give up hope
that it will bloom. Then one day when I least expect it, I discover a
flower! It doesn't matter that the plant didn't bloom when it was
supposed to. The fact that it bloomed at all brings me joy.
Perhaps
people are like flowers in that way. We don't all bloom or mature at
the same rate. But God doesn't give up on us. Nor should we give
up on others, such as children or friends. With proper care and prayer,
we all bloom according to God's timing.
Prayer: Creator God, thank
you for the beauty that surrounds us in your creation. Help us to
grow in your word and your love and to mature in your grace. Amen.
Thought for the day
Plant the seeds and trust God for the harvest.
Marilyn Lyttle (Florida.}—See p. 21.
Prayer focus: GARDENERS
SUNDAY • JUNE 15, 2008
Close to God's Heart
Read 1John 3:1-3
The
Lord GOD] tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his
arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that
have— Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
Some of my fondest memories as a father
are of carrying my young children or wrapping my arms around them as
they sat on my lap in the evening. We would snuggle in a warm blanket
on the couch or rock by the fire and read a book or talk about their
day at school.
Sometimes they chose these times to ask me to do or
to buy something for them. New bikes were a favorite
request. I never felt they were taking advantage of the
situation. They were doing what children do: They were asking their
father for what they wanted and telling me what was in their heart.
Soon,
their heads would start nodding. Safe in my arms, they would yawn
and stretch and fall into peaceful sleep. As I tenderly tucked them
into their beds, I wished those moments could last forever.
Now,
late at night, I divide my bedtime prayers into two parts. First
I pray on my knees at my bedside. Then I crawl into bed and leave a day
of troubles behind, praying to my heavenly Father, knowing I fall
asleep in God's safe and tender embrace.
Prayer: Thank you, heavenly Father, for wrapping your children in your loving arms. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thouqht for the Day Each of us is held tenderly in God's loving embrace.
Lawrence G. Skahill (California)
Prayer focus:: THOSE WHOSE FATHERS WERE
NOT GENTLE AND LOVING
MONDAY • JUNE 16, 2008
Touch
Read Mark 5:21-43
[Jesus] turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes? — Mark 5:30 (NIV)
In
today's Gospel story, touch plays a significant role. Jairus does not
simply ask Jesus to heal his daughter; he specifically says, "Please
come and put your hands on her."
As Jesus walks to Jairus' house, a
woman ill from a 12-year hemorrhage touches his cloak. The Gospel
writer says Jesus immediately felt power go out from him because of the
woman's touch. With all the people following Jesus and pushing up
against him as he went to the home of Jairus, Jesus recognized the
touch of an unclean woman, called her "daughter," and healed her
because of her faith.
Here, Jesus shows us a model of inclusion for
our church today. Do we touch those who are ili and those who are
social outcasts and bring them into our faith community? Or
(perhaps the bigger question) do we allow them to touch us?
Prayer:
Healing Christ, push us to touch the untouchables in our
community. Help us embrace people of any faith or no faith and
invite them to experience your presence and healing. Amen.
Thouqht for the Day
We are God's hands to touch and heal one another.
Shortens McGowan (Saskatchewan, Canada)
Prayer
focus: SOCIAL
OUTCASTS
TUESDAY • JUNE 17, 2008
Sustaining Blood
Read 1 John 2:1-6
If
we walk in the light, as [God] is in the light, ... the blood of Jesus,
his Son, purifies us from all sin. —1John 1:7 (NIV)
As
a health-care professional, I have studied human blood. At its center
is a molecule of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to the millions of
cells in our bodies. Cells need oxygen to live. If the flow of
blood ceases, cells die and, ultimately, the individual dies. Without
oxygen we cannot live.
Blood is a part of our living spiritually,
just as it is necessary to physical life. Our eternal life was
ensured by the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross. First
John 2:2 says that Jesus is "the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not
only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." If we
ask forgiveness of our sins and accept the gift God offers us through
Jesus "that purifies us from our sins," eternal life is ours.
Although
one day our blood will cease to flow and our physical body will die,
Christ's blood will sustain us for eternity. In Communion, we
remember his sacrifice on the cross and are renewed again by his love.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we give thanks for Jesus and his "death on the cross
to redeem us. Fill us with your spirit so that we bring others to
you while we live on earth. Amen.
Thought for tke Day Christ's life becomes our life.
Robert G. Plage (North Carolina).
Prayer focus: THOSE WHO DONATE BLOOD
WEDNESDAY • JUNE 18, 2008
Alien Times
Read Deuteronomy 24:14-22.
The LORD said, "Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt "
— Exodus 23:9 (NIV)
In
scripture, the plight of those with few advocates or resources is
addressed over and over. Throughout history, the people of Israel
experienced periods of bondage. Because of this, God expected the
Israelites to be tenderhearted toward others and to act justly toward
all, even to aliens and outsiders.
God's will on this issue also
applies to us. We followers of Christ in the 21st century are expected
to be sensitive to the needs of the disenfranchised or lonely: to
extend a smile to the foster child new to our church, to share a meal
with the exchange student who feels overwhelmed and bewildered by a new
culture, to take time to speak with the elderly neighbor whose spouse
of 50 years has died.
Most of us have experienced the sensation of
being on the outside, aliens in a new setting, whether it be coping
with a new job, school, or neighborhood, or adjusting to a new
family. Remembering our "alien times" can motivate us to take the
initiative to extend God's love with kind words and actions.
'Prayer:
Lord, remind us often that you place specific people in our path not as
an inconvenience but as an opportunity to bless someone. Amen.
Thought for the Day
What am I doing to help meet the needs of an outsider?
Maureen Baird (California)
Prayer focus: PEOPLE NEW TO MY COMMUNITY
THURSDAY * JUNE 19, 2008
A Father's Love
Read Matthew 7:9-12
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
— Psalm 103:13 {NPV}
I
spent a recent Sunday afternoon relaxing in the recliner. Grant,
my six-month-old son, sat in my lap. Grant alternated between smiling
at me, looking to me for help when a toy fell from his reach, and
ignoring me in favor of the distractions of the room and the traffic
outside the window. At times, I would give Grant toys. At other times,
I would let him struggle to retrieve the toys that he seemed able to
reach. I allowed him to sit up on his own as much as possible,
while remaining diligent to catch him if he happened to fall.
This
scene is, in a small way, symbolic of our relationship with our
heavenly Father. We may at any given moment bask in God's presence,
look to God for help, or become too distracted to fully acknowledge
God. Yet, always there, God watches us, enjoys us, encourages us to
grow, and guards us whether or not we are aware of it.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for your love that watches over us and lets us grow. Amen.
Thought for the Day How am I responding to the presence of God in my life? Joseph G. Johnson (Tennessee)
'Prayer Focus; FATHERS AND CHILDREN
FRIDAY * JUNE 20, 2008
Serving God
Read Galatians 6:2-1O
Serve
one another with whatever gift each of you has
received.
— 1 Peter 4:10(NRSV)
"John, you have a letter," I said to one of the seniors at the retirement community where I work.
"Can you please read it to me, since I cannot see well?" he requested.
I
read the letter from John's sister, who was far away. Then John talked
about his sister and about the kind of day he was having. As he turned
to leave, John's parting words were, "Thank you for taking the time.
This was the best day of my life."
His words hit me hard. John is
82, and the highlight of his day is my spending a few minutes talking
to him. John made rne realize that I can affect the lives of others
positively when I serve them and the Lord by giving my time.
Since
that day, I talk more with John and other seniors at the retirement
community. John plays hymns on his harmonica for hours, and we all
enjoy listening to him play. He also gives his time to serve the
Lord and the community.
Prayer: God, you love all your children.
Teach us to give our time as well as our gifts to serve the people in
our community. Amen.
Thought for the Day
When I take time to serve, I show the love of God.
Usha E. Christi (California)
Prayer Focus: PEOPLE IN THE SENIOR COMMUNITY
SATURDAY • JUNE 21, 2008
Parting the Waters
Read Joshua 4:10-24
The
LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed
over. . . . so that all the peoples of the earth might know that
the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the
LORD your God.
— Joshua 4:23-24 (NIV)
I always thought my
last semester of seminary would be a time of rejoicing because of what
I had accomplished, but it seemed to bring me more distress than joy. I
had no idea what I was going to do after I graduated.
That semester,
I started reading the Book of Joshua. Chapter 4 got my attention,
especially verses 10-24. Facing a radically different future was
filling the Israelites with distress and uncertainty. My situation felt
like what I imagined for them. I realized then that just as God made
the path for Israel through the Jordan River, God would make a road for
me. I might not be able to see it, but it would be there. It was going
to be up to God to reveal it to me.
After God parted the waters of
the Jordan, the Israelites saw that they served a God of strength,
glory, and power. This same God is not going to leave us standing at
the edge of the water. God can make a way even when we see no
way. God will part the waters of the rivers of our lives for us.
Such is the nature of God's power — and love.
Prayer: Dear God,
show us the road that you have chosen for us, and give us the courage
to walk down it. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God can make a way even when we see no way.
Emily English (Kentucky)
Prayer Focus: THOSE IN SEMINARY
SUNDAY • JUNE 22, 2008
Late Bloomers
Read Romans 7:14-25
Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (TEV)
The
first time I read Paul's words quoted above, I shook my head and said,
"He's not talking about me." How, I wondered, could Paul claim that
everything changes the moment someone decides to follow Christ? I was a
late bloomer. I became a Christian when I was past 50 and fixed
in my ways. It took considerable time for the "old" to go and the
"new" to come.
During the days following my conversion, I found it
difficult to immediately become more like Christ — to stop my cursing,
to forgive others, to care about people I hadn't cared about at all a
few days earlier. The list goes on and on. I wondered if
something was wrong. Was I really a Christian? Then I read Romans
7:14-25, where Paul revealed that he — another late-blooming Christian
— found it impossible to fully and easily shed his sinful
behavior. I know now that the power of the Holy Spirit gives us
the ability to change sinful ways. I also know that the struggle to
complete the transformation takes a lifetime, no matter when we start.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for forgiving us and working throughout our lives to make us more and more like Christ. Amen.
Thought for the Day
How are you different since you said yes to Christ?
Ron Benrey (Maryland)
Prayer focus: THOSE STRUGGLING TO CHANGE
MONDAY JUNE 23, 2008
Give What you Have
read 1 Corintians 12:12-27
Give, and it will be given to you. . , . for the measure you give will be the measure you get- Luke 6:38 (NRSV)
After
reading my Upper Room devotional one morning, I thumbed through the
pages of the magazine. I noted that Upper Room writers live all
over the world, not just in the United States.
What really struck me
was that there are so many people worldwide with something to give.
They may be students, teachers, moms or dads — on and on the list could
go — giving what they have and telling their faith stories.
Seeing
this caused me to ask if I am giving what I have to give. Am I sharing
my faith in word and deed? With Christ at my side, I need not hesitate;
I can give what he has put in me to give.
Whether time, money,
possessions, or words of faith and encouragement, we all have something
to give that might just be the difference in the way someone else's day
— even someone else's life — goes.
Prayer: Lord, help us in our
giving, that we can give willingly and generously whatever you have put
in our hands to give. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God can bless others through our gifts only if we share them.
Becky L. Schenk (Washington) .
Prayer focus: THOSE WHO CANNOT SEE THEIR GIFTS
TUESDAY JUNE 24, 2008
Faith Not Sight
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 and Habakkuk 3:17-19 We walk by faith, not by sight.
— 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NRSV)
I
am the sole caretaker of my mother, who is 86 years old and legally
blind. Over time, she has learned to trust me completely, secure
in my love and care. Aware of her limitations, she confidently follows
me, occasionally holds my arm, and listens to my guidance. Sometimes at
home, 1 blindfold myself to help me understand what Mother experiences.
Without my sight, everyday tasks become extremely difficult. Doing
everything requires patience, concentration, and determination.
Spiritually,
we can follow God the same way Mom follows me, guided by God's word,
the Bible. It is full of promises and examples of love that God
has shown us. When we trust that a loving and caring God walks beside
us, having to see and know everything about our surroundings will be
unnecessary. Even though we cannot know what obstacles He ahead,
we can feel secure that our God loves us, is trustworthy, and will
always be with us.
Prayer: Father God, help us to trust and follow you, even when the way ahead is uncertain or threatening. Amen.
Thought for the day
Even though we cannot see the way ahead, we can trust God to guide us. Patsy Sanders (Virginia)
Prayer Focus: THOSE WHO ARE BLIND
WEDNESDAY * JUNE 25, 2008
Spending Time with Scripture
Read Psalm19:7-13
All
scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, .
. . and for training in righteousness.— 2 Timothy 3:16
(NRSV)
Very early in my Christian journey, I was encouraged to
study the Bible. During my first attempt to read through the
Bible, however, I managed only a few chapters of the Book of Genesis
before I lost interest. I tried again after a few months and went a
little further, but then I lost interest once more and stopped reading.
Soon I realized my problem: I was trying to understand everything I
read and remember events and details as though I were preparing for an
exam.
I decided to try again, this time with a more realistic goal
of just spending time with the word of God. This approach helped me,
and I managed to read nearly two-thirds of the Bible in that year. This
was very encouraging for me! The following year I read the entire
Bible for the first time.
Now, after many years and having read many
different versions of the Bible, I still find reading it to be a rich
and highly rewarding experience. I can identify to some degree
with the disciples who had wonderful experiences as Jesus explained his
teachings to them. This happens quite often now as I practice the daily
discipline of spending time with God by reading the Bible.
prayer; O God, thank you for speaking to us through your holy word, the Bible. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thought for theDay
Reading the Bible is one sure way to learn great truths
Roy Govender (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
Prayer focus: FOR GREATER DESIRE TO READ THE BIBLE
THURSDAY • JUNE 26, 2008
Lost and Found
Read - Matthew5:21-24
Be
kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in
Christ has forgiven you. _ Ephesians 4:32
(NRSV)
I am a teacher. Years ago I had a lost-and-found box in my
classroom. Almost every day the same little boy would wander in with a
"here-I-am-again" look on his face and carefully rummage through the
box. Eventually he would find his book, his toy, his hat or whatever he
had lost and delight in being reunited with his treasured possession.
I
thought of that lost-and-found box this morning as I was reflecting on
an argument I had recently with my sister. I felt the separation
in our relationship; I missed her, and I wanted to reconcile with
her. My relationships with the people in my life are like my
relationship with Christ. Daily I need to examine my life so that
I recognize the sins that put me on the wrong path — sins that separate
me from relationship with others and with Christ.
Seeking
forgiveness is like going to the lost-and-found box. As I admit, "Once
again I have messed up," I can fulfill my desire to be reunited with
the people I care for and to experience the peace and love of Christ.
Prayer: O Lord, grant me a forgiving heart as I seek forgiveness from others and from you. Amen.
Thought for theDay
A loving heart is a forgiving heart.
Jackie Cesario (Minnesota)
Prayer Focus: THOSE WITH BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
FRIDAY • JUNE 27, 2008
Cascades of Blessing
Read Isaiah 55:8- 13
Have
you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the
Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow
weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
— Isaiah 40:28 (NRSV)
One
morning during my prayer time, I gave thanks for being able to talk to
God anywhere, any time, just as mil-lions of people around the world
do. I do not understand how God hears every prayer and cares for
every person, how God knows us all individually as no one else does.
Yet I know that with God, nothing is impossible.
A few nights later
I dreamed about a waterfall cascading down from heaven to earth. The
water was God's goodness, pouring out love, truth, peace, and joy on
everyone. The dream showed me that God is everywhere and that God's
power, through the Holy Spirit, never ends. As God pours down blessings
on us, we try, through acts of kindness and love, to be channels of
that blessing to others.
Praver: God of power and love, thank you
for your never-ending love for us and for all the blessings you give
each day. Help us to be channels of your love as we pray, "Our Father
which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will
be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
Thought for the Day
We receive God's blessings in order to pass them on.
Brian Gaunt (East Yorkshire, England)
Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV).
Prayer focus: TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF MY BLESSINGS
SATURDAY • JUNE 28, 2008
The Outstretched Hand
Read Psalm 118:5-17
The psalmist wrote, "With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?" ~ Psalm 118:6 (NRSV)
Twenty-three
years ago I stood at the back of the church looking out over the sea of
people as they filled the pews. As the organist began to play the
wedding processional, I was unable to take the first step.
Gripped with fear, I could not move. My father stood beside me. When he
smiled and reached for my hand, I felt comforted and ready to begin a
new life with my husband.
Twenty-one years later, I was driving with
my father to a consultation with my doctor. When I saw the word
Emergency splashed across the front of the enormous building, my
stomach knotted. I had joined the ranks of the millions who have dealt
with health problems and considered the reality of death. As the large
doors opened and the vastness of the waiting room greeted me, I was
unable to walk in. I wanted to run the other way and go back to my life
before my cancer diagnosis. Again my father was there with his
outstretched hand and his look of courage, love, and wisdom. Together
we walked in.
Often when fearful of the unknown, we need a heavenly
Father to guide us through the dark valleys that we enter. The Lord is
always there with us, with arms stretched wide. How comforting to know
that God's hand is always extended to steady us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us courage, strength, and wisdom to face the challenges that lie before us. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God walks with us to steady us in fearsome times. Donna P. Noble (North Carolina)
Prayer focus: THOSE DIAGNOSED WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS
SUNDAY • JUNE 29, 2QQ8
By Loving Hands
Welcome Home
Read Luke 15:11-32 Your brother was dead, but now he is alive.
— Luke 15:32 (TEV)
Jesus'
parable of the prodigal is about a son who leaves home after receiving
his inheritance. After a time of wild living, he returns home,
repentant and humble. To celebrate, his father prepares a huge feast
with music and dancing. But his older brother, who had stayed at
home with their father, is resentful and angry and refuses to attend
the banquet.
The welcoming father in this story expresses the depth
of God's grace-filled love and forgiveness. In contrast, the
older brother in refusing to attend the celebration shows unwillingness
to forgive and a self-righteous attitude.
Each year, thousands of
prodigal sons and daughters are released from correctional facilities.
Many have accepted God's grace and received God's forgiveness,
Unfortunately, they are often greeted by communities that are
unforgiving and unaccepting. But we can show them God's grace by
welcoming them back into society as God welcomes us all when we return
home.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to extend your loving grace to
others. May we always celebrate when one of your children comes
home. Amen.
Thought for the Day
How can I welcome those who need God's embrace?
Renee Snead (Georgia)
Prayer Focus: THOSE BEING RELEASED FROM PRISON
MONDAY • JUNE 30, 2008
Read Jeremiah 18:1-4
The vessel he was making of day was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.
— Jeremiah 18:4 (NRSV)
Last
Christmas I received a gift certificate for lessons at our local
pottery shop. I was thrilled. I envisioned myself creating a
multitude of lovely handcrafted items. The reality was very
different. On my first day, I gathered up a fist-sized lump of
cold, wet clay and attempted to center it on the wheel. Listening to my
instructor, I tried to apply a gentle hand as the clay spun around
under my fingers. I discovered that even the slightest pressure
could cause the clay to completely shift its shape.
I gradually
learned to gently smooth the sides and formed my first bowl. Then
disaster struck; my hand slipped, my fingers jabbed the pliable day,
and my newly formed bowl collapsed. "It isn't too late," my
teacher said. "You can still make something beautiful out of this clay."
Jeremiah
describes God as a potter who sees endless possibilities for God's
creations. Even when we would give up on ourselves as misshapen or
ruined, God whispers, "I am not through with you yet." When we submit
ourselves to God's touch and allow our lives to be shaped by love, God
can make something beautiful out of each of us.
Prayer: Creator God, remind us that we are safe in your harms. Help us to be shaped by your love every day. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God never, never, never gives up on any of us.
Susan ]. Foster (Connecticut)
Prayer focus: THOSE WHO WORK WITH THEIR HANDS
|
|
