Upper Room Daily Devotionals...

The Arm of the Lord

Monday's Devotional

Cast all your anxiety on [God], because he cares for you.
-1 Peter 5:7 (NRSV)

EVERYWHERE I looked, I saw problems in my family. My mother, living at the other end of the country, had been admitted into the hospital in an emergency. My sister, her caregiver, had been diagnosed with the same infection. My husband feared losing his job; my younger daughter was having difficulties in her student accommodations, and my working hours had been cut from 28 to eight hours a week. Having broken my ankle, I felt overwhelmed, helpless, and as if I were a liability rather than an asset to my family. I could see no solutions. I needed to be in two places at once, and I could barely cope with the situation in one place.

Then I felt God say in my heart, "Come to me." Walking to a nearby window, I looked out at the vast expanse of sky. I relaxed and slowly exhaled a deep breath. The inward voice spoke again, "Am I too small?"

With sky illuminated from horizon to horizon, what could I say? "No, Lord!" I breathed.

"Then give me all your cares."

A tiny silver speck of an airplane emerged from between the vast, billowing clouds. My problems must seem like that to God. I realized then that knowing God is with me is enough.

Prayer for the Day...

Loving God, in times of fear, give us deeper faith in your power. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

God is bigger than all the problems we face.

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A Patient's Prayer

Wednesday's Devotional

In all thy ways acknowledge [God], and he shall direct thy paths.
-Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

A patient came to my office seeking a hip replacement. His former cardiologist believed that the man's heart was too weak for him to survive a major operation. However, a new cardiologist had stated that while the man faced risks in undergoing surgery, his condition appeared stable. Therefore, he gave his permission to proceed.

Our patient soon passed all preliminary tests. Still, on surgery day I could sense tension in the room among the nurses, anesthesiologist, and me. Our patient could likely sense this as well. He said, "Doctor, I know this is a busy time, but I would like to ask you for one moment to pray." In my 20 years of medical practice, no patient had ever made such a request. All chatter ceased. With his heart monitor beeping in the background, our patient prayed for God to take care of him and all of us in the room who were trying to help him. He thanked God for the opportunity to get better, acknowledging the human limitations of the staff in trying to repair his fragile body.

A sense of calm filled the room. The surgery was a success. In all my professional experience, I never have felt more strongly than on that day the presence of God sent through my patient to me.

Prayer for the Day...

Dear God, make us instruments of your will in all our daily tasks and relationships. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

Often when God gives us a chance to help someone, we receive more than we give.

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A Watered Rose

Thursday's Devotional

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.
-Isaiah 58:11 (NRSV)

HAVE you ever stood still, looked into the head of a rose, and marveled at its beauty? Days before, such a beautiful rose was a small, tight bud. Who could imagine that within a few days this would become a beauty so large it seemed impossible that it ever fit into that bud? What's more, the rose can overwhelm with the pleasure of its exquisite fragrance.

Becoming a Christian is like this. Without Christ, we "are limited and small" but once we have been "united with Christ," (Phil. 2:1, niv) our loving Savior, we unfold and expand like that rose. In Christ we can become full and rich in compassion, spreading the fragrance of love.

Prayer for the Day...

Thank you, dear Father, for the beauty of our world. Open our eyes so that we never miss a moment of the wonder surrounding us, 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...

The Lord God made all the earth's features and creatures and pronounced them good.

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Giants in the Road

Friday's Devotional

The people who live [in Canaan] are powerful, and their cities are very large and well fortified. Even worse, we saw the descendants of the giants there.
-Numbers 13:28 (TEV)

A tiny, orange salamander rested at the edge of the expansive black road. From the other side of the road, the waters of a mountain stream beckoned. The creature crept forward, but froze as we "giants" blocked its path.

At the same time, my friend and I stared at the small animal on the road. Just a few feet from the safety of the stream, it stopped, seemingly paralyzed by fear. I realized that often my life mirrors this. At times, I am eager to reach a goal but afraid to face the "giants," just like the Israelites who lost courage even with the Promised Land in sight. Joshua and Caleb's response to the people's fear reminds me: "The Lord is with us . . . so don't be afraid" (Num. 14:9).

We all face giants such as financial difficulties, temptations of the flesh, and selfish desires. One of my scariest giants appeared when I had to decide whether or not to leave my dream job to move closer to my wife's family. I made the move, and in my new location I found the abundant love of family and friends who helped me to grow closer to Christ. Once I acted on my trust in the Lord, I discovered that I had entered my "promised land."

Prayer for the Day...

Lord, dispel our fear and give us strength to face and conquer our giants so that we can serve you more fully. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

God gives us the strength to conquer our fears - and our giants.

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Answering God's Call

Saturday's Devotional

[The people] inquired again of the Lord, "Did the man come here?" and the Lord said, "See, he has hidden himself among the baggage."
-1 Samuel 10:22 (NRSV)

THE date of our church's annual meeting was drawing near. My wife and I were praying to discern God's will because I had received an invitation to join the governing board of our church. I could think of many good reasons to decline the invitation. However, I wasn't sure.

Just before departing for the meeting, I read that day's meditation in El Aposento Alto (the Spanish edition of The Upper Room). It cited the scripture above, which told about Saul trying to hide from God's call. I knew I had been trying to hide "among the baggage," but I felt God was clearly asking more of me. I was left with no doubt in my mind: I should take on the challenge. I was elected to serve the church in a position of great responsibility.

We all have gifts and talents to offer. If we place them at God's disposal, in God's time and plan, the Holy Spirit will give us power to serve God and God's people.

Prayer for the Day...

Help us, God, to use the gifts you have given us to do your will. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

God invites us to use our gifts to build up the Body of Christ.

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"I Was a Stranger . . ."

Sunday's Devotional

The king will say to those at his right hand, ". . . I was a stranger and you welcomed me . . . . just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
-Matthew 25:3435,40 (NRSV)

AS the worship service ended, the pastor encouraged us to talk with one another. Immediately I made my way back several pews to greet one of my friends. My son dashed off to play with the other boys.

I noticed a woman and a little boy sitting quietly in a pew. Even as I chatted with several acquaintances, my eyes fell on the woman and the child. They sat alone.

This town had been my home for years. I had friends and family to call, get together with, and pray with. I wondered what it would be like to be a child in a new place with no friends.

The boy pulled on his mother's sleeve and beckoned toward the exit. Glancing around again, she rose to leave. I could resist God's nudgings no longer. I approached her, not only to visit for a few minutes but to invite her and her son to lunch on Saturday.

When we invite others into our circle of friends, we extend God's love to them. In so doing, we both bless the stranger and glorify God.

Prayer for the Day...

God, open our eyes to those who are hurting and needy. Remind us that as we serve and welcome them we also serve and welcome you. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

When we reach out to others, we complete our worship.

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Storms Within

Tuesday's Devotional

[Jesus] said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
-Mark 4:40 (NIV)

IN August 1992, Hurricane Andrew smashed into South Florida. Early in the morning, when the storm was at its height, one of our windows was smashed, letting in wind and rain. While I was trying to cover that window, I could hear others breaking. I realized that no matter how hard I tried, I was incapable of protecting our home and belongings. At that point, my wife said, "Let's just get safe."

Our family took refuge in the safest interior room in our home. I sat there on the floor as the rest of the house banged and shuddered and water poured in from the attic, ruining just about everything.

But an amazing thing happened. When I gave up trying to save things that didn't matter and stopped relying on myself, as soon as I let go completely and put our safety in God's hands, I felt a sense of peace - so much so that I slept soundly throughout the rest of the storm.

Whenever I think of that night, I remember how Jesus calmed the storm, rebuking the wind and waves by commanding, "Quiet! Be still!" (Mark 4:39). I believe that he was speaking not only to the wind but also to the turmoil and fear in his disciples' hearts. Sometimes, the greatest storms happen within.

Prayer for the Day...

Almighty God, help us to trust your love and power so that we may find peace in every storm. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

No clouds are so dark that God cannot see through them.

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The Family Likeness

Wednesday's Devotional

Jesus said, "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples."
-John 13:3435 (NRSV)

ALL the members of my husband's family have a strange bump on the tops of their feet. My husband and his parents and brothers and sisters have them, and so do all our children. It doesn't cause them any discomfort, and this curious little bump on their feet marks them as belonging to the same family. As a member of the family by marriage and not by blood, I don't have that distinguishing feature.

But all of us who are related by the bond of faith in Christ can develop distinguishing characteristics. Just as a tree is known by the fruit it bears, so we too can be known by the fruit of the Spirit, in particular, love. (See Gal. 5:22-23.) Jesus said, "Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." The key is in the beginning of that verse, "Just as I have loved you . . ." (John 13:34). How has Jesus loved us? Sacrificially, unconditionally, and with a love that finds its source in God's heart.

This love is available to us too if Christ lives within us. It's easy to love the lovable; almost anyone can do that. (See Matt. 5:46.) But unconditional love, self-giving love, makes the world take notice.

Prayer for the Day...

Lord, help us to love people as you love so that others will look at us and see our family resemblance. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

How can people see God in me?

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Come to the Table

Thursday's Devotional

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
-Romans 12:18 (NIV)

IN my church when we come forward to take Communion, we choose when and where we will kneel. Recently my friend chose to take Communion beside a church member whom she knew had deeply hurt me.

When she told me about it, I felt betrayed, as if she were siding with that person against me. I asked her, "How could you?" Her response was a shock: "Because God told me to." I had to acknowledge to her and to myself that I did not want to do what she had done. For days I wrestled with my thoughts, knowing that my friend loved me and also that her choice had been a loving action grounded in Christian reconciliation.

I wasn't yet willing to reconcile with the one who had hurt me. But prayer, scripture reading, and God's grace led me to hear in a new way the invitation offered in my church before Communion: "Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another." My going to the Communion table could indicate my willingness to forgive and open my heart so that deeper healing would be possible. Would I be obedient? Yes, with God's help. In the name of Jesus Christ, I was able to forgive and go to the table alongside the one who had hurt me.

Prayer for the Day...

Thank you, God, for loving us so much that you provide ways to forgive and heal. Thank you for others who show us your way. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

Do I need to join someone at Christ's table of peace?

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The Good Guide

Friday's Devotional

When [the shepherd] has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
-John 10:4 (NRSV)

AS a wilderness guide for 24 years, I love taking people into wild and beautiful mountains, teaching them survival and leadership skills and sharing the beauties of God's creation with them. Many of those who accompany me are "city slickers" with few or no basic survival skills. Because of this, they often look to me with total trust. After all, I am their guide - wholly responsible for their well-being and enjoyment of the experience.

In a much more significant way, I look to Jesus as my mentor and role model, as my guide. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd." The Bible teaches us that Jesus is both a shepherd and a guide. Perhaps in modern mountain language Jesus might say, "I am the good guide. You can trust me completely with your life."

I've come to realize that the less confident I am in my own skills and abilities, the more I am willing to rely on Christ to guide and lead me. This gives me huge relief and heightened awareness of the beauty around me. Now I can relax and enjoy the journey of life, leaving all to my faithful and competent Guide. Christ will be your good guide too, if you are willing to trust him fully.

Prayer for the Day...

Thank you, Lord, for being aware of our every need. Bless us with your love, and provide for us. Amen.

Thought for the Day...

Christ, our Guide, is ready to lead us in every situation.

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