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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

WHEN A STORM raged on the Atlantic one night, [John] Wesley’s English companions screamed and cowered; surely Wesley felt fearful himself. But he marveled at a group of German Christians called Moravians who worshiped and calmly sang hymns while the storm raged. What accounted for their composure? One Moravian explained to Wesley that the group was “not afraid to die” – strange words to a man who believed he had to be sanctified, that he had to live a holy life, before God would accept him.

Like Paul’s moment of reckoning on the road to Damascus, the episode began a lengthy period of discernment for Wesley that led him to learn more from the Moravians. Upon his arrival in Georgia, he sought out a Moravian pastor who posed the question: “Do you know Jesus Christ?”

“I paused,” Wesley wrote in his journal, recounting the conversation, “and said, ‘I know He is the Saviour of the world.’ ‘True,’ replied he, ‘but do you know He has saved you?’ ”

Wesley wrestled with this question even as he struggled to bring people to Christ. Two years later he departed Georgia, depressed and defeated. “I who went to America to convert others,” he wrote, “was never myself converted to God.” Imagine his desperation at this point. How many times do you think he was driven to pray, in so many words, Which way, Lord?

Wesley realized he didn’t have to earn God’s acceptance. He’d found the starting point to a new, God-inspired direction. His purpose grew from God’s love, and he lived out that purpose by taking the message of this boundless love to his parishioners. Eventually, Wesleyan theology would spread throughout the world.

– Rob Fuquay
Which Way, Lord?

From pages 12-13 of Which Way, Lord? Exploring Your Life’s Purpose in the Journeys of Paul by Rob Fuquay. Copyright © 2017 by Rob Fuquay. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

When have you found yourself believing you needed to earn God’s love? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Then the LORD said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.

1 Samuel 3:11, NRSV

This Week: pray for persons who are making life-changing decisions. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Joan of Arc (May 30).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

7 Comments

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  • Jill Posted May 29, 2018 3:36 am

    Thankfully, this has never been my experience. Pure grace – God’s gift of salvation and love beyond measure. Thank You, Father. And now I strive to live my life out of gratitude and knowledge of unworthiness for this magnificent love.
    A few good hours with my little family yesterday…cards, dinner, two new toys for Roger. All of my flowers are in – will mulch when school is finished. Very warm here, too, Andrea. Must make sure my flowers are getting enough water. Grateful, yet again, for air-conditioning in my school.

  • robert moeller Posted May 29, 2018 5:51 am

    I do ask. “Which way Lord?” I don’t think I have thought I needed to earn God’s love. Very grateful for it, where would I be without it?

    Was not able post yesterday, I kept getting a message, “page not found.” I read the reflection but could do no more. Will go back and read the posts I missed.

    Moved some natural fertilizer to the garden yesterday, prepared three spots with leaf mulch, the fertilizer, and top soil. Have more work to do, but it’s a start. Have some seeds, ideas for this year’s garden.

    Received more help from the German model railroad club. Thankful for that.
    Last night was busy with Pearl, she was on her night time adventure.

    A busy day today, a phone call to the Memory Clinic, the gym, and clean up after the “All Things Maple” social, tag, and bake sale.

    Prayers for all of you, more specific prayers when I see the posts from yesterday. Blessings!

  • Betsy Posted May 29, 2018 7:01 am

    It is somehow comforting to read that even such a saint as Wesley had to learn God’s grace is not earned. His transformation was powerful and life changing. Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to turn towards You .

    Thankful for beautiful weather for the holiday weekend. Time to rest and visit with friends both old and new. My husband and I both completed many chores around the house that we’d been putting off. Grateful that we live in a country where we can worship and enjoy such blessings freely. Thankful for the men and women who scrificed to make that possible.

  • Julie Posted May 29, 2018 8:03 am

    Yes, Betsy, thank you to all who have and are currently serving for our freedom. Thank you to our own Robert, I am humbly in your debt.
    I think of those who have served and are serving and my freedom in the same manner as God and His love for me. I did not ask for His love nor their service, but they gave still and I reap the benefits. I am humbled.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family. May they cntinue to find time to spend with friends.
    Prayers for Robert, may Pearl learn to sleep through the night. I would suggest that you play with her before bed. Play until she is panting and no longer wants to play. Then feed her and go to bed. This is from a cat celebrity who has written books on the subject of cat behavior.
    Prayers of gratitude that Jill and her family continue to share joy filled time together. May they have many more.
    Prayers for Mary and her parents. Prayers for Mary to be strengthened.
    Blessings and prayers for and thank you to all of the UR family
    Is it so small a thing
    To have enjoyed the sun,
    To have lived light
    in the spring,
    To have loved, to have
    thought, to have done;
    To have advanced true
    friends, and beat
    down baffling foes?
    Matthew Arnold

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 29, 2018 8:34 am

      Thanks Julie!

      Grateful for the joy of going out with my nephew and buying what he needs for his project – ink cartridges and files

      Blessings to all

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 29, 2018 10:01 am

        Grateful for the grace of God’s love

        May we reflect the grace of God’s love each moment of our lives!

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