Today’s Reflection

Spiritual direction is hard work for both persons. It involves a listening beyond hearing, intent on discerning a clarity that transcends the person’s emotional maze and convoluted intricacies of behavior.

—W. Paul Jones, The Art of Spiritual Direction: Giving and Receiving Spiritual Guidance (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

How can you see through people’s immediate feelings and experiences to reveal what is really the heart of their lives? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
—1 Samuel 16:7 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of God, my soul longs to be with you each moment. Make me whole; make me like you, so I may be lost in your Spirit. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 32:1-14
• Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
• Philippians 4:1-9
• Matthew 22:1-14

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

The overarching Christian doctrine is salvation, meaning “to render healthy and whole.” . . . To understand how this works, the Christian is forced to distinguish the human condition (the way we are) from human nature (the way God intended us to be).

—W. Paul Jones, The Art of Spiritual Direction: Giving and Receiving Spiritual Guidance (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

God made everything to be very good. After sin entered the world, God sought to make everything whole through Christ. How have you experienced goodness, sin, and wholeness in your life? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
—Genesis 2:31 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of God, my soul longs to be with you each moment. Make me whole; make me like you, so I may be lost in your Spirit. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 32:1-14
• Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
• Philippians 4:1-9
• Matthew 22:1-14

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Each of us has a God, maybe several, that determines the dynamic of our lives. . . . One’s functional God provides the why that flavors the how, where, and who of one’s Monday mornings. Who we are depends on whose we are.

—W. Paul Jones, The Art of Spiritual Direction: Giving and Receiving Spiritual Guidance (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What in your life determines what you do and how you do it? How would you change if God provided your why? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Our God is in the heavens;
he does whatever he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but they do not speak;
they have eyes, but they do not see.

—Psalm 115:3–5 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of God, my soul longs to be with you each moment. Make me whole; make me like you, so I may be lost in your Spirit. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 32:1-14
• Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
• Philippians 4:1-9
• Matthew 22:1-14

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Deep within our souls, actually as proof that we have a soul, is a profound something that will not be quieted. Experienced negatively, this something seems to be an emptiness, an ache. . . . Experienced positively, it is a yearning, a craving.

—W. Paul Jones, The Art of Spiritual Direction: Giving and Receiving Spiritual Guidance (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Do you sense within yourself an ache or a yearning? What is it pulling you toward? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.

—Psalm 42:1 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of God, my soul longs to be with you each moment. Make me whole; make me like you, so I may be lost in your Spirit. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 32:1-14
• Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
• Philippians 4:1-9
• Matthew 22:1-14

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

I’m not hiding from anybody. I’ve discovered that God’s love for me is not dependent upon my productivity or my positivity. Because I am close to Jesus, I can be vulnerable, and my vulnerability might help others

—Junius B. Dotson, Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough, and the Journey to Wholeness (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What steps can you take to experience a soul reset and live out your most authentic life? What do you need to lay down or take up to live lightly and freely with Jesus? Share your thoughts. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
—Matthew 11:28b-30 (The Message)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. —from Psalm 63:1 (NRSV)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
• Psalm 19
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Matthew 21:33-46

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Especially for pastors and church leaders, we get focused on numbers, budgets, growth, and programs because those are the “measurables.” But we forget that Jesus invited us into a life-changing relationship, a companionship meant to bring wholeness.

—Junius B. Dotson, Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough, and the Journey to Wholeness (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

When have you felt like “it’s all on you”? How can you and your faith community create a culture where the work is shared, and no one has to feel that way? Share your thoughts. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
—John 3:17 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. —from Psalm 63:1 (NRSV)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
• Psalm 19
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Matthew 21:33-46

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

When we do experience wholeness, we find capacity to handle difficult life situations and stress because we are connected to Jesus. It doesn’t mean we are free from trials, but it does mean that we have the capacity to handle them.

—Junius B. Dotson, Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough, and the Journey to Wholeness (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

How do tests and trials teach you about who God is and who you are? Share your thoughts. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. —from Psalm 63:1 (NRSV)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
• Psalm 19
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Matthew 21:33-46

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Vulnerability and authenticity are the only way to find wholeness in Jesus Christ. We’re not meant to gloss over or skim the surface, pretending our way through life. Jesus invites us to be real.

—Junius B. Dotson, Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough, and the Journey to Wholeness (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

How can we create a community where we can be authentic and honest about our struggles as well as our joys? Share your thoughts. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him My Savior and my God.
—Psalm 42:11 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. —from Psalm 63:1 (NRSV)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
• Psalm 19
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Matthew 21:33-46

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Spiritual practices such as prayer, journaling, small groups, confession, and even lament keep us connected to God as we reset and reorder our lives in the path of abundance and joy versus busyness and being overwhelmed.

—Junius B. Dotson, Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough, and the Journey to Wholeness (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What personal habits or rhythms have you developed to stay spiritually grounded and close to Jesus? Share your thoughts. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
—Psalm 42:4 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. —from Psalm 63:1 (NRSV)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
• Psalm 19
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Matthew 21:33-46

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

[Jesus] knows that it’s all too easy to get burned out on religion. He knows that taking a real rest is rarely easy to do. He knows that we need to recover our lives.

—Junius B. Dotson, Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough, and the Journey to Wholeness (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Have you ever been burned out on; religion? How did you reconnect to God? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
—Matthew 11:28-29a (The Message)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. —from Psalm 63:1 (NRSV)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
• Psalm 19
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Matthew 21:33-46

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.