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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

Where, then, does God’s call beckon us? First, it calls us to live in an ever-increasing love and knowledge of the triune God. Second, it calls us to discern the particular vision God has for us. Let us think of vision as a picture of a future reality. Our work of discernment, then, is to seek God’s guidance as to what God envisions for us. That vision may be something exciting, or it may inspire fear; I suspect it is usually a little of both. In any case, it is God inviting our called being into a picture of need that will serve the common good. We are called to God’s vision for each of us.

—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Discipleship Resources, 2021)

Today’s Question

How is God calling you to support the vision that will serve the common good? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also “was faithful in all God’s house.”
—Hebrews 3:1-2, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Lord,
Give me knowledge and insight that will help me make the right choices in my life. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

You are beloved, and you are gifted. Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts: Building Up the Body of Christ Through the Gifts of the Spirit will help you discover the particular gifts the Holy Spirit has given you and challenges you to use. A “Grace Gifts Inventory” is included in the book to help you identify and apply the spiritual gifts in your life.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Save 45% and receive free shipping on Disciplines 2021 regular and enlarged-print versions by using the promo code DISC45 at checkout. Offer good while supplies last.

3 Comments

  • Julie Posted July 18, 2021 9:27 am

    He called me to this new church where opportunities to serve abound.
    I hope this posts as yesterday’s did not. The words appeared but the comment count remained 0. Then when I came back later in the day …my comments were gone.

  • Jill Posted July 18, 2021 1:14 pm

    I believe I am listening. I desire to listen and to be led. Yet, at this time, I believe I must stay available to dad. That being said, time spent last evening – taking dinner to my friend and sitting there listening – this, too, is God’s vision. Seeing a need and meeting it. Simple obedience. In reality, in my being an introvert, I prefer the low key, in the background, work. Just knowing of the need of a meal. My goodness, yes I can cook and bake and meet a need. Even me helping the photographer prepare for a show. Is this doing God’s work? Is missing church the best idea, to help this person? I trust God with the conversations we have had. Rarely religious. Yet, I think she knows of my faith, as we have spoken about mom and her struggle. Who knows where that will lead?
    Working on putting together some examples for my first day of summer class tomorrow. I will be surprised if I have more than 5 students. Probably not even that though. It will be good to meet these new students, although we will have masks on. Grrrrrr.
    Setting up this morning was a pleasure. Wonderfully cool and sunny. A boy scout troop was on hand to help. We grabbed two – one of whom was tall! A definite plus. Eventually a dad came along and we put him to work as well. Once the show started – I got to walk around and see all the vendors. It’s just a little different without mom. I didn’t find anything I HAD to have. Next weekend in my town, less than a mile from where I teach, there is a big show. At least pre-CoVid – it was big. Hoping it will be next week.
    Prayers for Lou’s trip and time with her mother.

  • robert moeller Posted July 18, 2021 2:16 pm

    My call is to my son, my family, friends, children I sponsor, church, advocacy, donations. Where we live is certainly an improvement, but the location isn’t as helpful as is needed. The plan is to take care of some health issues, make needed improvements to the condo, and try to move to a single family home in a location that enables, provides, what is needed.
    So nice to read what Julie, Jill, and Lou are doing. I feel back in the circle. Delighted to know Julie’s new church has so many opportunities. Yes, it is sad when you write and the post vanishes. That has happened to me too.. Busy Jill is doing so many different activities too, Your summer school starts far later than ones I experienced. Yes, your Dad is the major focus of family life. Prayers for Julie and Jill. A rainy, cool, cloudy day. For a summer weekend in a tourist town, things are quieter than usual.
    Busy days here: food shopping and two teeth out on Monday, Bible study, helping a friend, and condo board meeting Tuesday, final packing for my trip to Rhinebeck NY on Wednesday and then off early in the morning on Thursday, Worship went well today. Thank You, Lord.

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