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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

Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 42:8-9

What we say cannot stand alone, but we must back it up with what we do. I love these verses in Isaiah because God is saying, “Look, I talk the talk, but I also walk the walk. All you need for proof of my faithfulness in the future is to look at my faithfulness in the past.”

What do people see when they look at the former actions by our denominations, congregations, or those representing Christianity? Do they see us simply talking a good game, or are we walking the walk?

—F. Douglas Powe Jr., in The Upper Room Disciplines 2023: A Book of Daily Devotions (Upper Room Books, 2022)

Today’s Question

How consistent are you in demonstrating by your actions that you are a follower of Christ? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
—Colossians 3:17(NIV)

Prayer for the Week

All-seeing God, may our words and our actions help others to
see you. May we talk the talk and walk the walk as Christians.
Amen.
Prayer by F. Douglas Powe Jr.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

This week’s New Every Morning reflections feature excerpts from the current readings in The Upper Room Disciplines 2023. Disciplines provides an opportunity to look more deeply at scripture by offering a week of devotions by a single author on a particular theme. Learn more at UpperRoomBooks.com/disciplines.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Baptism of the Lord

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

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted January 3, 2023 6:34 am

    Imperfect as I am, I keep going, God enables me. Thank You, Lord. A big bill to pay today, thankful it can be done. The Bible- book study of John the Baptist ends today. Have to find a new study. Church council meets via Zoom. The bill for the kitchen roof leak repair will be presented. Thankful it is only $50. Had lunch and a walk with my friend, Russ. Helped him find a new coffee maker. Rain then snow and colder temperatures. Surely not like the many winters past. Climate change, global warming needs serious immediate attention. The marginalized of the world are already suffering, dying. Hope for a better year depends a lot on us, what we do, how we act. Th calendar change, by itself, does nothing. Help us do what is right, good, and just Lord. My we live up to In God We Trust. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted January 3, 2023 9:49 am

    Yes, we are all imperfect. All we can do is our best. I ask God to help me be a better representative of his daily.
    H continues to be confused. Yesterday was trying as he constantly thought it was morning and went about the house holding clean clothes and a clean diaper asking if he could or should take a shower. He is taking his meds but he did not sleep much Sunday night and this seems to have thrown his mind into a state of utter confusion. He was angry with me and stayed up all night. I asked him who it hurt by him not sleeping and he conceded that his actions hurt him not me. I doubt he learned anything. His current doctor’s office never returns calls. He is scheduled with a new doctor later this month.

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