The Upper Room Devotional 16th November 2023
The Upper Room Devotional 16th November 2023, Thursday Message by Steven Thompson (Iowa, USA)
TOPIC: Serving with Love
TODAY’S READING
Matthew 25:31-40
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
For several years, I’ve led a prayer group for mothers in my home. We meet in the morning, Monday through Friday. One day, a friend asked me to accompany her to an early-morning medical appointment. I truly wanted to go with her, but at the same time there were other considerations: the great distance to the hospital by public transportation and the relatively slow walking pace because of her need for a walker. Would there be enough time to get her to the appointment and still make it back in time for my prayer group meeting?
My desire to assist her proved far more important than any inconvenience. I asked the Lord to favor us with two gifts — wise planning and good transportation. We left quite early, our ride was on time, and she made it through her appointment successfully. Then I accompanied her home and arrived on time for the start of the prayer group.
That day, I was grateful that with God’s help I was able to perform two works of love that pleased the Lord.
TODAY’S PRAYER
God in heaven, create in us a willing spirit and a compassionate heart to serve our neighbors with love — the same love with which you care for us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God is with me as I serve my neighbors.
PRAYER FOCUS
A friend who needs my help
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.
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