[Membersandfriends] Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Mon Aug 30 22:01:18 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Tuesday, August 31, 2004

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TEACHING THE TEACHER
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Romans 10:8-17 (NRSV)

But what does it say? 

"The word is near you, 
    on your lips and in your heart" 

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." 

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

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How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
- Romans 10:15 (NRSV)
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WHEN I began teaching seventh grade in a public school, I was not a Christian.  My experiences with church were sporadic.  My first year brought me an exceptionally tough group of seventh graders - drug addicts, a teenager who later committed suicide, and too many children older than their years.  As a new teacher, I was constantly pushed to stay ahead and in control.

Two of my students, my "bright spots" that year, were twin girls who would write me letters and then slip them into my hand as they came in for class.  While the letters contained the usual seventh-grade fare -- peer troubles, family stories, and worries about grades -- they always ended with a Bible verse reference.  For the first time in my life, I became excited to open the Bible because I wanted to read the suggested verses.

Looking back, I realize that those letters were the beginning of my journey to Christ.  God was present in that public school, and the Holy Spirit shone through the writing of two young girls.  Their powerful witness reminds me every day that through my words and small deeds of faithfulness I can share Christ's love with every person I meet.

Prayer:  Thank you, God, for those who witness to your love every day and who lead others to experience it.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Our small acts of love and faith can move others toward Christ.

-- Lauren W. DellaRova (New Jersey, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: School teachers

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RELATED READING ...

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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.