The Upper Room Daily Devotional Communion of Saints Read 2 Timothy 1:1-14 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 1:2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 1:3 I am grateful to God--whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did--when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 1:4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 1:6 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 1:7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 1:8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 1:9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 1:10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 1:11 For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, 1:12 and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. 1:13 Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1:14 Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. - Hebrews 12:1 (NRSV) Todays Devotional I love “All Saints Sunday” when we celebrate the saints among us who have gone on to heavenly glory. In worship that day we read the names of those who have died in the faith during the previous year. As their pastor, I have powerful memories of the many persons whose names are read, memories of stories and experiences and prayers we shared — holy moments. These people are examples of lives well lived, and so it is right for me to honor the memory of those, such as my parents and my grandparents, who have contributed so richly to who I am. Maybe I love this Sunday so much because it is the Christian church’s way of announcing to the world that there is a glorious heaven and that Jesus is the one true light to lead us there. We who believe know absolutely, for certain, things that non-believers cannot know. Maybe I love this Sunday because of the time of Holy Communion when I am aware of that phrase we say in the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the communion of saints.” Each time I strongly feel surrounded by the great “cloud of witnesses.” And it is all very good. That’s why I love this Sunday. Dan G. Johnson (Florida, USA) Thought for the Day: Every day, each one of us stands in company with all the saints. Prayer: Dear God, help us live in gratitude for all the faithful ones who have gone before us. May we follow their example in living so that others come to know Christ. Amen. Prayer Focus: Those who model the faith for me
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 11:25:00 +0000
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