[Membersandfriends] Sunday, November 07, 2004

Sat Nov 6 22:01:57 PST 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Sunday, November 07, 2004

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Spiritual Growth for All Ages ...

The Upper Room offers a resource for family members at every age or stage of their journey with God. Learn more: 
http://www.upperroom.org/store/category_search.asp?category=169&ep_id=220
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MODELS OF CHRIST
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Ephesians 6:1-4 (NRSV)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" -- this is the first commandment with a promise: "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 

And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

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Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
- Hebrews 13:7 (NRSV)
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WHEN I think of my parents, I recall former U.S. President Lyndon Johnson's comment in response to a particularly flattering introduction:  "My father would have enjoyed what you have so generously said of me -- and my mother would have believed it."

Like so many mothers, mine managed to look past the troubling behaviors of my young life and patiently led me to become my better self.  She insisted on seeing the good of the past and the promise of the future.  My father taught me about obedience, responsibility, and caring.  My parents never told me how to be a Christian.  They showed me.  I never knew my father's views on church attendance; I only knew that I had better save him a seat.  My mother practiced forgiveness with great skill.

People like my parents model Christ's love for us.  Christ sees the good in us even when we can't.  He has confidence in our ability to manage any task, and he constantly encourages us with love.

Prayer:  Thank you, God, for those who reflect your love to us and teach us what it means to be faithful.   Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Faithful people help us learn what God is like.

-- Frank Esposito (Virginia, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Parents

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RELATED READING ...

YEARNING FOR GOD: Reflections of Faithful Lives explores the stories of more than 40 faithful individuals, offering an excellent Group Discussion Guide with thought-provoking questions. Through the authors' sensitive work, readers will identify with the yearning for meaning and justice and other desires common to all people.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=114285

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.