[Membersandfriends] Thursday, August 19, 2004

Wed Aug 18 22:02:01 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Thursday, August 19, 2004

_________________________

Spend Devotional Time Off-Line

This free E-Mail Devotional is brought to you by THE UPPER ROOM print edition.  Order a subscription to the print edition for those times when you are away from your computer.  Find out more:  
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?item_id=114341&ep_id=240
_________________________

COPING WITH CHANGE
_________________________

Romans 8:18-23 (NRSV)

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

_________________________

We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and [God's] approval brings hope.  This hope does not disappoint us.
- Romans 5:3-5 (TEV)
_________________________

WHILE on vacation, our family visited the Atlantic Ocean.  We built a detailed sand castle at the edge of the wet sand.  We had taken a few photographs when the tide began to rise.  Each wave came closer to our creation until the sand castle was under siege by the rushing water.  Eventually there was no sign of what we had worked so hard to build.  All that we have are the memories and the photographs.

Life can be something like that experience.  Often we see what we have worked hard for or loved leave us, be taken away, or die.  When this happens, it can cause us to feel lost or defeated.  In those times we can find encouragement in remembering that this life with all of its joys and troubles is not the end of the story.  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has prepared an everlasting home where all is at peace and the love of God reigns forever and ever.  Thanks be to God!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for reminders of our total dependence on you.  Keep us focused on eternity, and help us to make the most of the time we have.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What God has in store for us is far better than our most wonderful memories or our fondest dreams.

-- David L. Bridges (Tennessee, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those who have suffered loss, disappointment, or rejection

_________________________

RELATED READING ...

Drawn from actual events, INNER HEALING FOR BROKEN VESSELS offers seven steps to healing from painful experiences: recognition, admission, sharing, confession, reconciliation, choosing to be different, and daily choices.  Each chapter weaves together struggles of contemporary women with those of women in biblical times.  This very personal book will serve as a woman's lifeline to renewal, healing, and spiritual direction.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12549

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/.

_________________________

QUESTIONS?  If you reply to this e-mail, you'll receive an automated message answering our readers' most frequently asked questions.  If your question remains unanswered, please write to us at the special "help" e-mail address you'll find in the automated message.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.upperroom.org/unsubscribe/

TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS: Visit the My Account page: http://www.upperroom.org/myaccount/. Log in, using your current e-mail address and password. Once logged in your account, click on the "Edit Personal Information" link. Edit your e-mail address and any other information, and click "Update" to complete the change.

FORGOTTEN YOUR PASSWORD? Visit the My Account page: http://www.upperroom.org/myaccount/. Click on "Forgot My Password." Enter your e-mail address, and if there is a password associated with it, the password will be e-mailed to you immediately.
_________________________

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.