[Membersandfriends] Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Tue Nov 23 22:02:21 PST 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Wednesday, November 24, 2004

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The Gift that Lasts All Year

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SPECIAL SHOES
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1 Timothy 4:11-16 (NRSV)

These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

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Be imitators of God, as beloved children.
- Ephesians 5:1 (NRSV)
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WHEN my youngest daughter was a few months old, I purchased her first pair of shoes.  When my wife and I tried to put the shoes on the baby, we noticed that her feet were slightly turned.  The orthopedic doctor recommended special boots to correct the situation.  In the following years, even though the corrective shoes were for my daughter's benefit and well-being, she did not feel comfortable wearing them because she saw her sister and her friends wearing regular shoes.  

I prayed for God's help in communicating to my daughter the importance of wearing the special shoes for as long as the doctor indicated.  God placed in my heart the following thought: "The teacher is the role model for the student."  I purchased some military boots for myself.  I told my daughter that her sister wore shoes like her mother's and that she wore boots like mine.  I wore the boots as often as possible, and my daughter never hesitated to wear hers.

Similarly, in the spiritual realm, we can help those near us to live a life of faith by acting according to God's ways.

Prayer:  Lord, help us to be good role models for those around us.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Our actions speak louder than our words.

-- Sammy Pillot Leoteau (Humacao, Puerto Rico)

PRAYER FOCUS: Children with physical disabilities

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RELATED READING ...

Drawing closer to God as a family is often an easier desire to express than a practical reality.  AT HOME WITH GOD: Family Devotions for the School Year features brief, daily family devotions that can be used throughout the school year.  The book is planned especially for families with children ages 6-12.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=79654

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.