"The Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room of f The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Desire"f Friday, 31 May 2019
"The Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States <MinistryEngagement@upperroom.org> "Desire"f Friday, 31 May 2019 
Today’s Reflection:
WE ALL KNOW that desire drives people to do things they never would have imagined unless that kind of fervor had played a role. Crimes of passion are committed by people otherwise considered mild-mannered, law-abiding, or incapable of such deeds. Likewise, the desire to achieve, to serve, or to know God has provided the drive behind many extraordinary accomplishments.
While passion is often considered an explanation for antisocial behavior, it is not a valid excuse. Desire can be harnessed, doused, indulged, or set aside; it’s entirely our choice. The apostle Paul makes the point many times that even though desire is a potent force, our passions certainly fall within the parameters of self-control.
While desire is implicated in a boatload of sins (the Bible refers to evil desires, human desires, sinful desires, corrupt desires, lustful desires, deceitful desires, harmful desires, etc.), the scriptures also point to desire as perhaps the key ingredient, or catalyst, to spiritual growth. (Derek Maul, Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men
From pages 34-35 of Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men by Derek Maul. Copyright © 2007 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
How do you feed your desire to grow spiritually? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture:
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1, NRSV)
Prayer for the Week:
Give me the courage and strength to serve you, Lord. Amen
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Something more:
Sight Psalms is a daily, online, photo inspiration intended to help people reflect on God’s presence in the world and in their lives through the use of images. Each day, a new photograph is posted to evoke reflection and inspiration within themes connected to the Christian year, and it is usually accompanied by a few words. Discover more.
Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Psalm 113
Romans 12:9-16b
Luke 1:39-57.
1 Samuel 2:1-10
1 Then Hannah prayed; she said: "My heart exults in ADONAI! My dignity has been restored by ADONAI! I can gloat over my enemies, because of my joy at your saving me. 2 "No one is as holy as ADONAI, because there is none to compare with you, no rock like our God. 3"Stop your proud boasting! Don't let arrogance come from your mouth! For ADONAI is a God of knowledge, and he appraises actions. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken, while the feeble are armed with strength. 5 The well-fed hire themselves for bread, while those who were hungry hunger no more. The barren woman has borne seven, while the mother of many wastes away. 6 "ADONAI kills and makes alive; he brings down to the grave, and he brings up. 7 ADONAI makes poor, and he makes rich; he humbles, and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust, lifts up the needy from the trash pile; he gives them a place with leaders and assigns them seats of honor. "For the earth's pillars belong to ADONAI; on them he has placed the world. 9 He will guard the steps of his faithful, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. For it is not by strength that a person prevails - 10 those who fight ADONAI will be shattered; he will thunder against them in heaven ADONAI will judge the ends of the earth. He will strengthen his king and enhance the power of his anointed."
Psalm 113:
1 Halleluyah! Servants of ADONAI, give praise! Give praise to the name of ADONAI! 2Blessed be the name of ADONAI from this moment on and forever! 3 From sunrise until sunset ADONAI's name is to be praised. 4 ADONAI is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like ADONAI our God, seated in the heights, 6 humbling himself to look on heaven and on earth. 7 He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the needy from the rubbish heap, 8 in order to give him a place among princes, among the princes of his people. 9 He causes the childless woman to live at home happily as a mother of children. Halleluyah!
Romans 12:9-16
9 Don't let love be a mere outward show. Recoil from what is evil, and cling to what is good.10 Love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect. 11 Don't be lazy when hard work is needed, but serve the Lord with spiritual fervor. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer. 13 Share what you have with God's people, and practice hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you - bless them, don't curse them! 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be sensitive to each other's needs - don't think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don't be conceited.
Luke 1:39-57
39 Without delay, Miryam set out and hurried to the town in the hill country of Y'hudah 40where Z'kharyah lived, entered his house and greeted Elisheva. 41 When Elisheva heard Miryam's greeting, the baby in her womb stirred. Elisheva was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh 42 and spoke up in a loud voice, "How blessed are you among women! And how blessed is the child in your womb! 43 "But who am I, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Indeed you are blessed, because you have trusted that the promise ADONAI has made to you will be fulfilled." 46 Then Miryam said, "My soul magnifies ADONAI; 47 and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, 48 who has taken notice of his servant-girl in her humble position.b For -- imagine it! -- from now on, all generations will call me blessed! 49 "The Mighty One has done great things for me! Indeed, his name is holy; 50 and in every generation he has mercy on those who fear him.c 51 "He has performed mighty deeds with his arm, routed the secretly proud, 52 brought down rulers from their thrones, raised up the humble, 53 filled the hungry with good things, but sent the rich away empty. 54 "He has taken the part of his servant Isra'el, mindful of the mercy 55which he promised to our fathers, to Avraham and his seed forever." 56 Miryam stayed with Elisheva for about three months and then returned home. 57 The time arrived for Elisheva to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
Sponsored by The Upper Room.
The Upper Room Daily Reflections "Desire" for Friday, 31 May 2019
Today’s Reflection:
WE ALL KNOW that desire drives people to do things they never would have imagined unless that kind of fervor had played a role. Crimes of passion are committed by people otherwise considered mild-mannered, law-abiding, or incapable of such deeds. Likewise, the desire to achieve, to serve, or to know God has provided the drive behind many extraordinary accomplishments.
While passion is often considered an explanation for antisocial behavior, it is not a valid excuse. Desire can be harnessed, doused, indulged, or set aside; it’s entirely our choice. The apostle Paul makes the point many times that even though desire is a potent force, our passions certainly fall within the parameters of self-control.
While desire is implicated in a boatload of sins (the Bible refers to evil desires, human desires, sinful desires, corrupt desires, lustful desires, deceitful desires, harmful desires, etc.), the scriptures also point to desire as perhaps the key ingredient, or catalyst, to spiritual growth. (Derek Maul, Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men
From pages 34-35 of Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men by Derek Maul. Copyright © 2007 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
How do you feed your desire to grow spiritually? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture:
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1, NRSV)
Prayer for the Week:
Give me the courage and strength to serve you, Lord. Amen
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Something more:
Sight Psalms is a daily, online, photo inspiration intended to help people reflect on God’s presence in the world and in their lives through the use of images. Each day, a new photograph is posted to evoke reflection and inspiration within themes connected to the Christian year, and it is usually accompanied by a few words. Discover more.
Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Psalm 113
Romans 12:9-16b
Luke 1:39-57.
1 Samuel 2:1-10
1 Then Hannah prayed; she said: "My heart exults in ADONAI! My dignity has been restored by ADONAI! I can gloat over my enemies, because of my joy at your saving me. 2 "No one is as holy as ADONAI, because there is none to compare with you, no rock like our God. 3"Stop your proud boasting! Don't let arrogance come from your mouth! For ADONAI is a God of knowledge, and he appraises actions. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken, while the feeble are armed with strength. 5 The well-fed hire themselves for bread, while those who were hungry hunger no more. The barren woman has borne seven, while the mother of many wastes away. 6 "ADONAI kills and makes alive; he brings down to the grave, and he brings up. 7 ADONAI makes poor, and he makes rich; he humbles, and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust, lifts up the needy from the trash pile; he gives them a place with leaders and assigns them seats of honor. "For the earth's pillars belong to ADONAI; on them he has placed the world. 9 He will guard the steps of his faithful, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. For it is not by strength that a person prevails - 10 those who fight ADONAI will be shattered; he will thunder against them in heaven ADONAI will judge the ends of the earth. He will strengthen his king and enhance the power of his anointed."
Psalm 113:
1 Halleluyah! Servants of ADONAI, give praise! Give praise to the name of ADONAI! 2Blessed be the name of ADONAI from this moment on and forever! 3 From sunrise until sunset ADONAI's name is to be praised. 4 ADONAI is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like ADONAI our God, seated in the heights, 6 humbling himself to look on heaven and on earth. 7 He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the needy from the rubbish heap, 8 in order to give him a place among princes, among the princes of his people. 9 He causes the childless woman to live at home happily as a mother of children. Halleluyah!
Romans 12:9-16
9 Don't let love be a mere outward show. Recoil from what is evil, and cling to what is good.10 Love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect. 11 Don't be lazy when hard work is needed, but serve the Lord with spiritual fervor. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer. 13 Share what you have with God's people, and practice hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you - bless them, don't curse them! 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be sensitive to each other's needs - don't think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don't be conceited.
Luke 1:39-57
39 Without delay, Miryam set out and hurried to the town in the hill country of Y'hudah 40where Z'kharyah lived, entered his house and greeted Elisheva. 41 When Elisheva heard Miryam's greeting, the baby in her womb stirred. Elisheva was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh 42 and spoke up in a loud voice, "How blessed are you among women! And how blessed is the child in your womb! 43 "But who am I, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Indeed you are blessed, because you have trusted that the promise ADONAI has made to you will be fulfilled." 46 Then Miryam said, "My soul magnifies ADONAI; 47 and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, 48 who has taken notice of his servant-girl in her humble position.b For -- imagine it! -- from now on, all generations will call me blessed! 49 "The Mighty One has done great things for me! Indeed, his name is holy; 50 and in every generation he has mercy on those who fear him.c 51 "He has performed mighty deeds with his arm, routed the secretly proud, 52 brought down rulers from their thrones, raised up the humble, 53 filled the hungry with good things, but sent the rich away empty. 54 "He has taken the part of his servant Isra'el, mindful of the mercy 55which he promised to our fathers, to Avraham and his seed forever." 56 Miryam stayed with Elisheva for about three months and then returned home. 57 The time arrived for Elisheva to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
Sponsored by The Upper Room.
Copyright © 2019
P.O. Box 340004
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