THE UPPER ROOM ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 25th January 2023 by Kami K. Preston (Tennessee, USA). As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: Connections
TODAY’S READING
2 Corinthians 5:1-7
We live by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 25th January 2023 MESSAGE
Making connections with students while teaching remotely is hard. I can’t pat them on the back or easily whisper words of encouragement when they struggle. I can’t offer high fives when they succeed. Instead, I try to get to know my students when they share a project or when we eat lunch together online. Still it’s hard not to feel disconnected.
One day after a reading lesson on character traits, I presented a slide with a picture of my face and asked my students to list some of my traits. Waiting anxiously, I wondered, Will they be kind or brutally honest? A quiet third-grade boy melted my heart by writing these words: “She loves me.” Yes, child! I most certainly do. If I do nothing else right, I have shown one child that I love him.
Just as I work hard to connect with my students, God is always calling to us and reaching out to draw us into relationship. It can be difficult to feel God’s pats on the back or hear God’s whispers of encouragement. But when we take time to know God’s character through reading scripture and observing creation, we grow closer to God. What joy it must bring God to hear us say, “God loves me!”
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for calling us into deeper relationship with you. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God loves me!
PRAYER FOCUS
Teachers working virtually
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