[Membersandfriends] Sunday, October 17, 2004

Sat Oct 16 22:01:27 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Sunday, October 17, 2004

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Making a Difference

By making available any of The Upper Room's all-ages family of magazines to nursing homes, hospitals, or your church, you'll help others grow in faith. Under this group order arrangement, you can give 10 or more copies of each issue for 50% off the cover prices.  To learn more about these "Standing Orders," visit:
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?item_id=114341&ep_id=200
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GOD UNDERSTANDS
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Psalm 103:13-18 (NRSV)

As a father has compassion for his children, 
     so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. 
For he knows how we were made; 
     he remembers that we are dust.  

As for mortals, their days are like grass; 
     they flourish like a flower of the field; 
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, 
     and its place knows it no more. 
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting 
     on those who fear him, 
     and his righteousness to children's children, 
to those who keep his covenant 
     and remember to do his commandments.

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The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
- Psalm 145:9 (NIV)
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OUR 18-year-old son recently joined an international missions organization, committing to work two years overseas.  Departure day arrived too soon.  Our family drove to the airport, prayed together, and hugged him goodbye.

Tears coursed down my cheeks as I battled mixed emotions.  Our only son's opportunity to share God's love in distant lands thrilled me, but the thought of not seeing him for two years caused inexpressible heartache.  Could anyone understand my pain?

Later that morning, my husband and I attended Sunday school.  When we entered the classroom, I noticed that the chalkboard held a verse written in beautiful calligraphy: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son ..."  (John 3:16).  I gasped as I realized how deeply God understood my feelings!  This brought me peace and eased my pain.

Sometimes our circumstances cause us emotional upheaval.  We wonder if anyone understands what we're feeling.  Remembering that God understands all our pain and loss can encourage us during difficult times.

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for feeling our deepest pain.  When we struggle, fill our hearts with peace.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God understands our deepest emotional struggles.

-- Grace Fox (British Columbia, Canada)

PRAYER FOCUS: Parents of children leaving home

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RELATED READING ...

LOVE AT THE HEART OF THINGS follows the inward faith journey of mystic Douglas Steere.  Author Glenn Hinson looks at Steere's life as he sought to bring Christ's love and peace to the unending challenges of the twentieth century.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12617

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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.