Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Pass It On!


10:11 The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame."
10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.
10:13 For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
10:14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?


10:15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
10:16 But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"
10:17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
10:18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."   Romans 10:11-18  -(NRSV)
 
Normally I read The Upper Room each morning online at my computer. I hadn’t seen a paper copy in years until my husband spotted an issue lying on a bench in the lobby of a restaurant one Sunday afternoon. Apparently someone had left it behind after receiving it at church. Fearing that the restaurant staff might throw the magazine away, we decided to pick it up and take it home. Finding the magazine this way made me wonder how many copies of The Upper Room are taken to nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and the homes of invalids. How many are sent to prisons? Since The Upper Room is published in 35 languages and is a convenient size, I imagine that many copies cross national borders and travel to remote locations to be received thankfully. And a few sit on benches waiting for someone to pick them up and say, “I haven’t seen one of these in years!” Then they put it in their pockets or bags to go into homes, perhaps to be read aloud to others and to touch more hearts. God’s message of love and grace nurtures everyone it reaches, wherever it goes.

Thought for the Day  10:17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

Prayer  Dear heavenly Father, thank you for those who help us follow Christ more faithfully. We pray for all those yearning for Christian community. Amen.

 
Prayer focus   Editors and translators of The Upper Room







“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD.” -Jeremiah 23:24
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