[Membersandfriends] Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Mon Aug 16 22:02:00 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Tuesday, August 17, 2004

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How Did We Meet?

As Upper Room Ministries prepares to celebrate 70 years of ministry (1935-2005), we want to know "How Did We Meet?" When did you first come in contact with THE UPPER ROOOM daily devotional guide? Tell us your stories:
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/stories.asp

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ENCOURAGING WORDS
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Romans 15:1-6 (NRSV)

We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today.
- Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
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I was failing.  Though I was failing only one class, it was perhaps my most important class.  Why?  I was a senior in Bible college, and I needed credit for the class in order to graduate.

The year before, I had felt like giving up.  I had been afraid to continue, feeling that I would fall short of graduating.  On this day, it seemed my fears were becoming a reality.  I cried as my heart began to break.

However, God did not leave me there.  God had encouraged me to persevere and try to finish school, and God would not forsake me in my hour of great need.  God sent two people my way.  They prayed for me, they told me that I was important to them, and they encouraged me to press on.  My heart was lifted, and God filled me with strength.  Because those two caring people took the time to encourage me, I was able to pass the course and to graduate.  

Encouraging one another builds Christian community and helps us go on when we feel like giving up.

Prayer:  God, help us to encourage one another, for we never know when someone is on the verge of giving up.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Words of encouragement build hope and community.

-- B. J. Ward IV (Kentucky, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Students who are discouraged

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RELATED READING ...

GOD GOES TO COLLEGE: Living Faith on Campus provides spiritual support for Christian college students. The reality-based and Christ-centered essays in this companion for the college years will help students grow in their relationship with God.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=109739

PLEASE SHARE THIS MINISTRY with a friend. Invite them to sign up for the free E-Mail Devotional by visiting: http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/email/.

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The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.