The Upper Room 29th January 2024 Devotional Message
The Upper Room 29th January 2024 Devotional, Monday Message by Ruth Gunter Mitchell (Alabama, USA)
TOPIC: It’s All in the Family
TODAY’S READING
1 John 3:11-18
Paul wrote, “I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” – Ephesians 3:14-15 (NIV)
I hate to admit it, but my children and grandchildren are not perfect. But even though I may not always agree with or approve of their actions, I will forever love them unconditionally. I consider myself a tolerant person, but I don’t appreciate it when others want to harm or criticize my family. In those times, I will speak up even though I’m timid.
Because of the intense love I feel for my family, I think I have a small understanding of God’s love for all of us, God’s children. None of us is perfect, but we are all God’s creation. When I want to be critical or judgmental of others, I try to remind myself that I would not appreciate hateful remarks about my own family. I need to give the same respect to God’s children.
Furthermore, as a parent and grandparent, nothing thrills me more than when others recognize the goodness of my family and give them support and affection. As imperfect as we all are, I believe God is truly pleased when we see and appreciate the good in God’s children.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for loving us all as your children. We pray that you will guide us to love all your children as you have loved us. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God can lead me to recognize the good in others.
PRAYER FOCUS
To show respect to all God’s children
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. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together
