[Membersandfriends] Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Mon Oct 25 22:01:17 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Tuesday, October 26, 2004

_________________________

Help Support Our Worldwide Ministry

Published in 44 languages and 72 editions, THE UPPER ROOM is familiar to 2.5 million Christians in more than 100 countries around the world. In many areas a tattered and worn UPPER ROOM is passed from person to person for many years.  http://www.upperroom.org/fundraising/default.asp?item_id=114563&ep_id=250
_________________________

NEVER ASHAMED
_________________________

1 Peter 5:6-10 (NRSV)

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.

_________________________

Discipline yourselves, keep alert.  Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.
-- 1 Peter 5:8 (NRSV)
_________________________

LAURA always quoted this Bible verse from First Peter when she talked to us.  We were young, and we found this constant "preaching" amusing.  When she boarded any city bus she would distribute religious leaflets, urging the passengers to read them.  Many simply laughed at her.  We felt embarrassed by her actions and preferred to travel on separate buses.  She was very much like John the Baptist when he called out: "Repent. ... You brood of vipers!" (Matt. 3:2, 7).

With the passing of time, I have learned much about faith and God's word.  I always remember that courageous woman who was never ashamed to preach the gospel.  Like Paul, she did not care that they called her crazy because she knew that what she said came from the power of God, offering salvation to all who receive the message and believe.

Today I possess the same zeal as this woman did to preach the word of God.  I use different methods but with equal passion.  What would have become of me had I not come to know Christ as my Savior?  That thought moves me to share my faith.

Prayer:  Lord, grant us courage to preach the gospel and share your good news with those around us.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Never cease to preach the message of salvation.

-- Guillermina RodrIguez (Cordoba, Argentina)

PRAYER FOCUS: For God's people to preach the gospel

_________________________

RELATED READING ...

Six women who encountered Jesus are studied in DO WHAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO. Author Helen Bruch Pearson combines biblical scholarship, social concern, and reflective faith to help readers meet anew and learn from these six New Testament women.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12482

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.