THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 4TH JANUARY 2025, FRIDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room Devotional 4th January 2025 written by Sarah Bradstreet (New York, USA)
TOPIC: Making Room
Today’s Reading
Matthew 3:1-12
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. – Matthew 3:2 (NIV)
Today’s Message
There’s something about the new year that feels full of hope and possibility. The anticipation of something new gives me the desire to clear out the clutter and create space — both physically and mentally — for what the year will bring.
John the Baptist was called to prepare Israel for the coming Messiah. He preached a message of repentance, urging people to turn their hearts toward God by clearing their lives of sin and making room to receive Christ. We, too, are called to prepare for Christ because God has work for us to do! We can prepare our hearts by repenting of our sin and giving our lives fully to God — clearing out the clutter that keeps us from following the Lord wholeheartedly.
If we want to see God at work in our lives, we must make room for God’s presence. What clutter do we need to clear from our habits, our schedules, or our hearts to create room for God’s Spirit to move in? God wants to begin something new in us, so let’s anticipate that gift by making room for it!
Today’s Prayer
O God, show us what we need to clear from our lives to make more room for you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Today I will create space for the Lord to work.
Prayer Focus
Those in need of a fresh start
The Upper Room Devotional 4th January 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