The Upper Room Devotional for 16th December 2022
Welcome!!! The word of God is food to the spirit man. As you read The Upper Room Devotional Today, may the word of the Lord powerfully impact on you.
Topic: A Simple Note
Tom Smith (Utah, USA)
TODAY’S READING
1 Thessalonians 5:9-15
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Through my simple words of encouragement, God can change lives.
The Upper Room Devotional For 16th December 2022
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Part of my job is introducing new computer software to travel agencies across the country. One software package was particularly complicated, and Emily, the training manager, was nervous about teaching it to our clients. Emily ended up doing a great job, so I wanted to show my appreciation. I wrote her a note of thanks for her help and good work.
Two weeks later a handwritten letter from Emily arrived on my desk. Part of that note has remained clear in my mind: “I’ve worked here for over 15 years and no one has ever written me a personal note of appreciation like this. I was having a really bad day when your letter arrived, and it just picked me right up. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
I put the letter down, feeling humbled and thinking, How could a handwritten note that took me just a few minutes to write make such a big impact? And then I wondered why I wasn’t doing this more often if it could make such a difference.
Today’s reading from 1 Thessalonians urges us to encourage one another. It can be difficult to know when someone is struggling or needing encouragement. This exchange of thank-you notes showed me how even a small gesture of care can show God’s love.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, show us the people who need our encouragement so that we can share your love through our small acts of kindness today and every day. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS
Those who need my encouragement
