THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 28TH APRIL 2025, MONNDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room Devotional 28th April 2025 written by Kyoko Minekawa (Chiba Prefecture, Japan)
TOPIC: Living by Faith
Today’s Reading
Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” – Matthew 5:11 (NIV)
As the daughter of an evangelist, my life was one of constant moving. I attended four different elementary schools, and at one school I was even called “the transfer student.” Many days when I was walking home, boys would spit on me as they rode their bicycles past me and call out “Christian fool” as they rode away.
One day on my way home, a woman rushed out of a factory holding a broom and yelled at the boys. I recognized her as a woman who always enthusiastically sang hymns in church. She chased after the boys and ordered them to stop this behavior. From that day, the boys stopped spitting on me.
As a child I believed in Jesus. But when such things happened I complained to God, wishing I had been raised in a different home. I am now about the same age as the woman who chased the boys, and I am walking the same road as my mother and father — living by faith. I now realize that I came to know Christ due to the very fact that I was the child of a minister. And I am grateful to God.
Today’s Prayer
Loving God, bless the people who are the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus. Strengthen our faith in times when it feels hard to follow you. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.
Thought for the Day
Even when it is difficult, I will live by faith.
Prayer Focus
Ministers and their families
The Upper Room Devotional 28 April 2025, 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