Online Ministry for the Week 9/26 - 10/02 2016

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.

The Upper Room daily devotional: FOCUSING ON THE DIVINE

DAILY READING

• Monday (September 26, 2016): Psalm 119:49-56; Jeremiah 32:16-35; Revelation 3:14-22 OR Psalm 62; Amos 6:8-14; Revelation 3:14-22
• Tuesday (September 27, 2016): Psalm 119:49-56; Jeremiah 32:36-44; James 5:1-6 OR Psalm 62; Hosea 10:9-15; James 5:1-6
• Wednesday (September 28, 2016): Psalm 119:49-56; Jeremiah 33:1-13; Matthew 19:16-22 OR Psalm 62; Hosea 12:2-14; Matthew 19:16-22
• Thursday (September 29, 2016): Lamentations 3:19-26; Jeremiah 52:1-11; Revelation 2:8-11 OR Psalm 37:1-9; 2 Kings 18:1-8, 28-36; Revelation 2:8-11
• Friday (September 30, 2016): Lamentations 3:19-26; Jeremiah 52:12-30; Revelation 2:12-29 OR Psalm 37:1-9; 2 Kings 19:8-20, 35-37; Revelation 2:12-29
• Saturday (October 1, 2016): Lamentations 3:19-26; Lamentations 1:7-15; Matthew 20:29-34 OR Psalm 37:1-9; Isaiah 7:1-9; Matthew 20:29-34

ABUNDANT HEALTH

A Study in Failure

Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. Proverbs 24:16 (CEV)

We usually think of failure as a negative experience. But wise people know how to take advantage of failure. They learn from it. They make the most of it. They use it as an education. Instead of becoming a victim of your failures, study them just as a scientist would do. Be curious, and turn bad days into good data.

—Dr. Daniel Amen. Today's reading is a brief excerpt from The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life by Rick Warren, DMin; Daniel Amen, MD; & Mark Hyman, MD (Zondervan). © 2013 by The Daniel Plan. Used with permission.

NIV DAILY

How Can I Make My Relationships Healthier? (Mark 12:30–31)

When Jesus was asked what the most important commands were, he answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart,” and, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31). Maintaining good relationships, according to Christ, is as important to our health as is keeping our love for God strong.

Most of us are familiar with the Golden Rule, as it is often called, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). This is a good place to start to establish the kind of guidelines and principles to live by as we interact with others, including family members, work associates, church members and anyone else. Loving relationships can also go a long way to healthier physical lives: “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25). “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13). “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). We are wise to pay attention to both our relational lives and our physical lives.

Forgiveness, too, is a key component of keeping your relationships healthy. People will hurt you, sometimes without meaning to—even the people who love you most. And if you expect to maintain good fellowship with them, you will often be called upon to overlook and forgive their offenses. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31–32).

Sometimes, of course, you will be the one doing the offending. When that happens, when you “remember that your brother or sister has something against you,” the Bible instructs you to “go and be reconciled” (Matthew 5:23–24), and ask for forgiveness.

So keep the lines of communication open, keep your accounts short, and don’t look “to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:4). That’s how relationships thrive, survive and stay intact.

Taken from Game Plan for Life Bible©2014 HarperCollins Christian Publishing

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Gracious God, we praise you! You have entrusted to us a priceless treasure, the good news of Christ who conquered death. In him, we have the promise of new and everlasting life. Empower us by your Spirit to spend our days working for your purposes. As our church shares the gospel with friends and neighbors, may we all draw closer to you. We dedicate our lives and these offerings in Jesus’ name. Amen. (2 Timothy 1:1-14)