Today’s Reflection
WE HAVE BEING because God has given us existence, and we never stray far from that connection—if we are capable of straing at all. We honor this connection with God by seeking a penitential and spiritual life.
“How is it with your spirit?” This question evokes a response about how we live in the presence of the One in who we “live and move and have our being.”
Do we seek the presence of God daily?
How do we honor God with our work and vocation?
How do our lives testify to the good news of Jesus Christ?
I can honestly answer these questions more clearly on some days than others.
The good news is that we are being made perfect in love. Through the power of God in Jesus Christ, each of us is empowered to live in the presence of God, to praise the Creator through our work and vocation, and in every moment testify to the good news of Jesus Christ. some people call this discipleship.
Following Jesus means we learn to live fully in God’s presence, the God who gives us life and does so in the midst of all that life throws at us.
- Matthew W. Charlton
The Upper Room Disciplines
From “Presence” by Matthew W. Charlton, page 160 in The Upper Room Disciplines 2011: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2010 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
How is it with your spirit? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
Acts 2:17, NRSV
This Week: pray for farmers. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section below.
Did You Know?
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Saints, Inc.:
This week we remember Bede (May 25).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
My life is the pits but it is well with my soul because of what Jesus did and continues to do for us. Thank you Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit.
I totally agree with Roberts. Thanks be to God, my spirit is intact. The one part of me that is perfect. The rest will follow! (Phil.l:6)
I am troubled because I don’t do the things I ought to do, and I do things I ought not do. I see the conflict, yet I still hold back!
This mind body soul spirit connection is a little more complicated in my view than the views expressed above. Comparison is not worthwhile, however.
Delight yourself in God, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Gail, your honesty is refreshing, and I am right there with you. My eternal state is peachy; my day to day is often a struggle. Yet others seldom want to know if I am anything less than swell.
Hang in there. There is a fresh day coming soon.
I feel that I’m not doing so well with my relationship with God, missed devotions yesterday. Have been tired after a very busy week last week doing things with others, seeing my son and daughter, doing things with Anneliese. There is the desire to do what is right but I’m distracted, tired, involved with others. These things keep me from my quiet time with God.