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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.

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Today’s Reflection

THE WONDER OF GOD’S COMING is this: God doesn’t want to be our business partner, to relate to us as a favored relative, to live near us or even with us. God wants to live in us and through us. As Matthew 5:14 tells us, we are the light of the world. We are meant to be God’s embodied love. When we obey the claims of Christ, we are God’s continuing incarnation. Embracing one person at a time, we help those we meet to believe that they matter and that they are embraced by God.

– Mary Lou Redding
While We Wait

From page 102 of While We Wait: Living the Questions of Advent by Mary Lou Redding. Copyright © 2002 by Mary Lou Redding. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

How does God live through you? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

Psalm 148:1, NRSV

This Week: Pray for love. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

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This week we remember: John (December 27).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

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7 Comments

  • Trackback: The Upper Room Daily Reflections: daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States from Monday, 24 December 2018 through Sunday, 30 December 2018 for Friday, 28 December 2018 “God Lives through Us” – Global Methodis
  • robert moeller Posted December 28, 2018 4:33 am

    I think God lives through the things I do: caring, advocating, helping others.

    Am in Brooklyn visiting my daughter and grand daughters. A very busy day is expected, need to go back to sleep so I can keep up.

    Blessings as we approach a New Year and continue the 12 days of Christmas.

  • Jill Posted December 28, 2018 5:34 am

    Hopefully there is strong evidence of God living in and through me – my actions, my words, my caring. A bit more intentionality on my part would not be a bad thing.
    Prayers of quick healing for Julie’s mom, for continued progress of healing for Lowell’s ankle, for a wonderful visit for Robert with his daughter and grandchildren.
    As the busy-ness of Christmas winds down, may we be reflective on the past year and be grateful for where His sure hand has brought us.
    Grateful mom has continued to feel well and able to do most activities as usual. My friend and I made tentative plans to head to the beach – and since mom is holding steady – we are leaving tomorrow. I am looking forward to the time away.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 28, 2018 6:36 am

    Robert, may you enjoy your visit with your daughter and granddaughters.

    Jill, may you have a great time at the beach.

    Yes, God lives through us by our love for one another.

    Blessings!

  • Betsy Posted December 28, 2018 7:52 am

    God lives through me through my work in my volunteer roles; mentoring at the local school, the ladies in our prison ministry and the seniors that I help to serve meals to. Thank you, God, for giving me these opportunities to serve.

    We’re back from Christmas with our children. It was a short trip, as we will be back there the end of month For the birth of our grandchild. Praying for safe travels fo Jill as she spends some time at the beach for a much deserved rest. Robert, know you are glad to have some family time with your daughter’s family.
    We are attending the funeral today of our dear friend who had Alzheimer’s that I’ve mentioned to this group. He passed peacefully right before Christmas, surrounded by his family. Please pray for his wife, Kathy, and her two sons as they begin to navigate life with out their husband/dad.

    • Julie Posted December 28, 2018 8:18 am

      Prayers for Kathy and her son’s, May they be surrounded by loved ones during their time of mourning.

  • Julie Posted December 28, 2018 8:09 am

    My prayers for each person and their concerns, I also take the time to, hopefully make each person I meet feel that they matter. Since I live in an environment dominated by hate, I try not to show that attitude myself to others.
    Thank you for your prayers for my mother. She often gets bronchitis when she gets a cold so each one is a worry. Thank you for your prayers for Megan and of course for me.
    Prayers for Robert and his daughter and grandchild and joy filled visit.
    Prayers for Jill and safe travel and a replenishing time away.
    Prayers for Mary and her family, may they continue spreading joy.
    Prayers for Andrea, Lowell, and her sister in law Marcy L. May all improve physically. May Marcy’s heart be strengthened.
    Prayers for Lou and her children and a joy filled visit.
    Prayers for Connie and her family and their sweet and quiet life filled with gratitude for small wonders.
    Prayers for April and her family and their example of the truly important things in life.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family, may they be well.
    Prayers for Marcy, Mary amd Lucy. I have been meanong to relate to you how polite our kittties are with one another. If one is drinking or using the litter box, the other will patiently wait nearby for their turn. Often we see one waithing in the hallway which leads to the room their box is in and sure enough, shortly the other comes ou of the room and the one that was waiting goes in!
    Prayers dear UR family

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