[Membersandfriends] Friday, August 27, 2004

Thu Aug 26 22:02:01 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Friday, August 27, 2004

_________________________

Nurture a Teenager

Nurture the spiritual life of a teen -- send them a subscription to DEVO'ZINE, a devotional magazine for youth, ages 12-18. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?item_id=70105&ep_id=247
_________________________

SEEING THE LORD
_________________________

John 20:24-29 (NRSV)

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." 

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

_________________________

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me?" 
- John 20:29 (NRSV)
_________________________

IT was Friday afternoon; the weekend had begun.  At work, I had been criticized for not communicating.  The criticism was partly justified, and my self-esteem was below zero.  I felt tired, burned out, sad, and alone; and I cried for Christ to come near and to give me strength and comfort.

"Show yourself to me," I prayed. "I need to see you."

When the apostle Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead, Jesus appeared to him.  I wished that Jesus would touch my life in a similar way.  I felt my faith withering, and my life seemed meaningless.  I slept badly that night.

The next morning I went outside and picked some flowers.  They should have been dead and dry a long time earlier, but the autumn had been mild and rainy.  Suddenly the sun broke through the mist, and I saw a beautiful rainbow.  My heart was filled with joy, and I knew that Christ was near.  The rainbow appearing at the moment I needed reassurance became a sign of God's love to humanity and to me.

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for your love that never withers, even though we cannot see it all the time.  Help us to see that you never fail to come near to us, on good days and bad.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What memories of God's nearness nurture and sustain me?

-- Brith Daviknes (Oslo, Norway)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those sleepless because of work concerns

_________________________

RELATED READING ...

Based on the teachings of the sixth-century monk Benedict, HEART WHISPERS extends great spiritual insights into the need for faithful living in a stressful, high-impact society such as today's.  Learn how to simplify your life and focus on God's divine grace.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12662

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.