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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

Our souls are—or our spiritual growth is—like a tree. Imagine a circle on the ground. Within this space, the tree of our soul grows. The width of the circle is the knowledge of ourselves and the depth of the circle is our knowledge of God. With sufficient knowledge of self and God, the good soil of humility fills this space and the roots of love take hold.

—Christopher Maricle, Deeply Rooted: Knowing Self, Growing in God (Upper Room Books, 2016)

Today’s Question

What helps you increase in knowledge of God and self? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

They are like a tree replanted by streams of water,
which bears fruit at just the right time
and whose leaves don’t fade.
Whatever they do succeeds.

—Psalm 1:3 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

God, give me the humility to know that I am a growing work in progress. Give me the grace and understanding to see the growth in those around me.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

3 Comments

  • Jill Posted July 20, 2020 5:14 am

    Spending time with Him, in His Word and amongst His people – all of these reveal much about me and much about Him. Being attentive to seasoned, wise Believers – hearing their stories, watching them live out their faith in difficult circumstances and seeing them humbly praising God. Again, my thoughts go to the cancer support groups – what an encouragement they are to me, still. I am not sure their is a more holy time spent in reverent worship than what I experience there.
    I spent some time yesterday with dad. Picked up some dinner, talked about the book “Heaven”, and watched some golf on tv. The chapter of the book this week dealt a lot with angels. Dad continues to think so very much about what mom is doing now. So much is left to the imagination, regarding the Bible and what it tells us about heaven. As I think about it this morning – our hopes and imaginations will be woefully weak and off point – and we won’t even mind. I think about how heaven will be ultimate satisfaction and contentment. Even that is difficult to grasp. Dad seemed to have more range of motion in his neck last night. He is very impatient with having to “behave” – not going out for a walk, not doing his exercise routine. He is hoping to golf later in the week. Will see what the chiropractor says today.
    Virtual meeting with the principal today – three different times offered – where he will give us his thoughts and perspectives on where things stand with school in the Fall. Tonight our school board is meeting – I believe they will be putting out a plan…for whatever it is worth as things are constantly changing.

  • robert moeller Posted July 20, 2020 7:01 am

    Time, experience, Bible study. worship, fellowship, and effort help increase my knowledge of God and self. It all doesn’t come easy, interruptions, being unaware, ignoring, and a host of other impediments make the journey rigorous. I pray that I am on the path or at least near it.
    Prayers for Jill, her Dad, the cancer support group, prospects for school opening (am not so in favor of everyone physically together), the pandemic, economy, homeless, jobless, justice, serious efforts to end racism, the earth and its welfare, the health of all who come to the UR and those beyond. Peace, safety, health, and well-being to all. Thank You, Lord.

  • April Posted July 20, 2020 6:32 pm

    What helps you increase in knowledge of God and self? Another week of “nature” as our theme with the tree. I love trees and all that they mean, comfort in their shade, strength in the structure of their trunk and branches, longevity in that trees can live for years, etc. There are so many songs about trees including the Johnny Appleseed Grace song that I learned to sing at church camp. As I am outside so much these days, I see God and the teaching in our Bibles as they relate to nature and am blessed. Today I saw another person out pulling weeds and stopped to thank her. She said no worries, if we all do a little, it will all be cleaned up…yes!! I also met another couple that are moving in to one of the houses. He and I commented about the bushes in his yard and we are both anxious to see what colors the buds will turn into. I learn so much about God and myself when I am out in nature and I look forward to learning more.
    Yesterday I organized and wrote several cards and notes to those who have had a family member pass in the last few weeks. It is very humbling to me that I can reach out from afar to connect with them and share my concerns. I am thinking of you Julie and Meghan. Maybe these sentences from a devotional today will touch you and they did me:
    In times of grief and heartbreak, God promises to be close to us. So if you are in that season, allow
    the love of God to fill your soul and carry you in your weakest moment.
    The world is reeling with uncertainty in so many ways yet the sermon theme for several weeks is hope. We are reminded of the stories of hope from the Bible. In each, God always has the last word and plan. May I remember to look up and trust Him for He is Faithful.
    Blessings dear UR family today and everyday. God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us, from a distance….thank you Bette Midler for this lovely song.

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