The Upper Room 23rd March 2024 Devotional: Our Source of Power

The Upper Room Devotional 14 July 2022 | A Rediscovered Gift

by admin July 14, 2022

written by admin

THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 14 JULY 2022, THURSDAY

Today’s Topic: A Rediscovered Gift
Robert K. Abel (Maryland, USA)

TODAY’S READING
1 Peter 4:8-11

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What simple joy from God will I give thanks for today?

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. – James 1:17 (NRSV)

After being confined to my home for a week recovering from ankle surgery, church friends asked if I would like to go out for lunch. Although my mobility was limited to a scooter, I immediately accepted. When I rolled out the front door, the winter air blew across my face. It was as if I had never experienced fresh air! It was renewing. On that day, thoughtful friends helped me rediscover a gift I had forgotten.

Each day is a gift from God; but how often do we pause to think about each day as the refreshing new gift it is? We tend to take simple, recurring experiences for granted; that is, until we no longer have them.

Sometimes difficulty, like a bad ankle, helps us think about God’s simple blessings. My ankle surgery was a brief setback; but through the kindness of friends, it awakened me to gifts I previously failed to notice or fully appreciate. Each day is a breath of fresh air from God — a time to celebrate all of God’s perfect gifts.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Thank you, God, for each new day with all that it offers, and forgive us for failing to notice or fully appreciate it. In the name of Jesus, who gave the greatest gift. Amen.

PRAYER FOCUS
Those recovering from surgery