Today’s Reflection
WE CAN COMPARE God’s love to the sun. It is the sun’s nature to give warmth and light. The sun always shines, always radiates its warmth and light. The sun cannot act against its essential nature. Nor can we can stop it from shining. We can allow its light to fill our senses and make us warm; alternately, we can separate ourselves from its rays by putting up an umbrella or going indoors. But whatever we may do, we know that the sun does not change its essential nature.
In the same way, the God revealed to us in Jesus always loves. Like the shining sun, God’s love never ceases. In every moment of our lives, God sends out the warm rays of divine love. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. If the sun represents God in Jesus Christ, we could say that the sun’s rays represent the Holy Spirit. So to be touched by the Holy Spirit is to be touched by God’s love. Likewise, to be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with God’s love.
—Trevor Hudson
Holy Spirit Here and Now
From page 22 of Holy Spirit Here and Now by Trevor Hudson. Copyright © 2013 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
What has been your most recent experience of God’s love and grace? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
—Romans 5:5b, NRSV
Prayer for the Week
Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
From A Book of Prayers © 1982, ICEL. All rights reserved.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
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Lectionary Readings
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21 Comments
Here at the UR, in church, from friends, and of course from family I have received God’s love and grace.
Extremely thankful for the great news that came yesterday afternoon. The closing on the condo will be June 10th, the original closing target date. Will do a quick walk through around at 10 am and then go down to street to the closing. Thank you all for your prayers and best wishes. The move is about to take place.
At lot has been done to be ready for the move, now we have to hustle a little to be ready for an earlier date.
God is with us and with you. Thank You, Lord.
So happy- your mind can now rest- but yes packing is in high gear now. I moved a year ago this week – it is a big task. I wish you well- prayers for your strength.
God’s sure presence and peace throughout this year – is the strongest evidence of His love and grace yet. Even more assuredly, knowing that I know that I know. I am safely His, nothing is beyond His sovereign knowledge. Things are unfolding just as He has ordained. And He is near, so very near.
Dad and I are heading out west, early tomorrow morning. We will be visiting two of his cousins, one of which was in his household growing up…practically a brother to him. And now is in declining health. Dad is very excited for this trip. I am grateful to be able to share this with him, grateful for his good health which permits him to go.
Such good news on Robert’s part – the closing on the original date. May this bring you and Erich stability and opportunities. I see many qualities of my dad in you, Robert. A faithful, devoted father.
Glad to hear the wonderful details of Lou’s weekend celebration of her daughter with family and friends.
Prayers for this group, your concerns and needs. Will be keeping you all in my heart and prayers while I am away. Will be visiting new places – likely will be overwhelmed by God’s creation…Zion National Park and The Grand Canyon. Plus the beauty of my dad’s relationships with his cousins. All God’s blessings.
Prayers for safe travels, a happy reunion with loved ones, and enjoyment in new sights and wonders.
The strongest evidence of His love this year has been the birth of our first grandchild. Seeing his little face and the strong connection of love of our son and his wife toward that little one is a sure sign of God’s perfect love.
So happy to hear about the closing of your condo, Robert! I know you have been praying and waiting patiently for this moment. Hoping this brings you and Erich wonderful new memories for years to come.
Prayers for you and you dad, Jill, as you take your trip out west. It will be a healing* balm for your dad to reconnect with cousins and spend time with them. Safe travels to you.
Children are Gods most perfect gift – so happy for you and your Joy.
I always stop to go to the window to see the sun rise…..God’s love and grace shown to me.
No Hummers yesterday. I had taken down a big red bow. Put it back up this a.m. and sure enough, breakfast for a tiny bird.
It’s quite chilly this morning. Even in the 80’s yesterday it seemed that way.
The Grand Canyon….how exciting. Carpe Diem.
Happy for your hummers- I feel the rain and cool temps are challenging the arrival of summer here in Chicago. Praying for your good health and for happiness to follow you.
I am like Connie, I see God in nature especially in my kitties. They are always showing me love and shining joy into my life. I see God daily in my daughter, what a miracle she is to me. She grew strong within me and from my body I provided nourishment for her to develop into a toddler. Now she is an adult what wonders.
Prayers for safe travel for Jill and Larry and great memories made and remembered. Prayers of thanksgiving for Robert’s good news, may this move prove fruitful for both he and Erich. Prayers of thanksgiving for Lou’s successful celebration of her daughter’s graduation. Prayers for Connie and her hummers who insist their meals be gift wrapped. Prayers for Betsy and Harrison and their growing relationship. Prayers for Mary and her father, may his health improve and may she be strong. Prayers for Marcy and her health.
Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you UR family
Thanks Julie!
I experienced God’s love and grace recently in friends from church and the UR praying for my dad and family during this very difficult time. People calling and texting to let me know that they are concerned and even visited my dad at the hospital. One despite his own family member’s illness and busy schedule came and sang and prayed for my dad.
Thank you God for your love and grace reflected in these people. I am eternally grateful for each and every one of them.
Blessings and praise God for Robert’s good news!
Prayers for you and your father- God be with you as you continue to care for him.
Prayers for peace for you- and strength to face all that is still unknown. Thank you for your consistent prayers for all.
Thanks Lou!
May God bless you and your family abundantly!
Ha…yes, gift-wrapped and made with love!
Robert, it is wonderful to hear your good news and I pray all continues to go smoothly. Jill, I pray for and rejoice with you and your father as you take off on a trip to see your father’s cousins and the wonders of nature in the southwest.
Julie, I pray for your safety and well-being, and for an excellent resolution to your situation and a peaceful home for you. Connie, I pray for your health. your husband’s health, and your hummers. Lou, I rejoice with the joy of your daughter’s graduation celebration and pray for her in the transition ahead.
Yesterday evening I walked around the pond behind our house. It was a gorgeous spring evening. The orthopedist said I am healing very well. Thank you for your prayers.
Please pray for Danny’s family. Danny is – was – my husband first cousin once removed. He committed suicide at age 50.
With prayers for all UR friends and all who visit here. Wishing all a blessed day.
So glad that you are healing Andrea- prayers for Danny and your family as they grieve and try to understand.
Today, dad’s condition was erractic and doc said he’s very fragile at this moment. I stayed at the hospital the whole day.
Thanks for all your prayers!
Mary, I am holding you and your father in prayer. May God be with you and give you strength.
Thanks Andrea!
May God bless you and your family abundantly!
Glad to hear that you are healing very well. May God bless you with complete healing in the name of Jesus Christ!
Blessings!
Prayers for safe travels for my youngest and I as we travel. We are vacationing in Europe – a last hurrah I feel as she has graduated and prepares to start school in NYC in the fall. My nest will surely be empty then but I am proud of her success and accomplishments and we are continuing to celebrate with this get a way. I’m somewhat anxious but am pushing myself to make this a nice experience for her. Please keep us in your prayers.
“If the sun represents God in Jesus Christ, we could say that the sun’s rays represent the Holy Spirit.”
When I read this visualization of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I thought of how each of us is receiving of the sun and its rays in our lives. The sun is always shinning and we are always receiving…praise God for his love that never ceases!!
I have been receiving answers to decisions we are making and I am awaiting more as we plan for the future. God is faithful, I just need to be patient and listen.
I echo the good wishes/answered prayers to those named from all who have posted!!
Blessings and hugs to all…especially those new to our family….welcome)
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