The Upper Room 3 June 2022 Daily Devotional for Friday Message.
Read The Upper Room 3 June 2022 Daily Devotional by Carol J. Giesey (Pennsylvania, USA)
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TOPIC: Grateful Hearts
TODAY’S READING
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
KEY VERSE: We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NRSV)
The Upper Room 3 June 2022 Daily Devotional MESSAGE
Our pastor recently announced that he will be leaving us in a few months to take a position at another church. I was saddened by this news; his departure will be a great loss. His sustaining message of “we love because God first loved us” has helped our congregation to become more welcoming. While he has only been with us for a few years, we have attracted a significant number of new members, and he makes everyone feel worthy of his time and attention.
Although I have expressed my appreciation to him a number of times, I wish I had done it more. It is easy to take for granted the love people show us and to assume they will always be there for us. It can also be tempting to criticize others rather than to appreciate the good that they do. But scripture teaches us to show our gratitude for others. This could be with a few words, a note, or an action.
In the next few months of transition, I intend to show our pastor the appreciation he deserves. I hope to do the same for my family and friends as well as kind strangers I may encounter. Expressing gratitude is a way to lift up ourselves and others, and it pleases God.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the people who love us and show kindness to us. Inspire us to show our gratitude to them that we may encourage them in their good works. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
My gratitude can bless others and myself.
PRAYER FOCUS
People who feel unappreciated
The Upper Room 3 June 2022 Daily Devotional Message. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More