Today’s Reflection

The gift of gratitude, while wonderful, is exactly that—a gift. None of us can will it into being or perform exercises to make it happen. It is a gift of God, pure grace.

—Roberta C. Bondi, Wild Things: Poems of Grief and Love, Loss and Gratitude (Upper Room Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

How can you become more open to receiving God’s gifts? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
—Ephesians 2:8 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, as you draw us closer to you, draw us closer to each other. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
• 1 Peter 1:17-23
• Luke 24:13-35

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

I found it painful to remember these activities and feelings, yet the memories filled me then and fill me now with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Perhaps this gratitude carried the beginning of the healing of grief with it.

—Roberta C. Bondi, Wild Things: Poems of Grief and Love, Loss and Gratitude (Upper Room Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

Have you ever noticed gratitude in the midst of grief? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
—Matthew 5:4 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, as you draw us closer to you, draw us closer to each other. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
• 1 Peter 1:17-23
• Luke 24:13-35

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

At the funeral, people said. . . “Tom, you know your faith will get you through this.” He stopped for a moment, looked at me, and then said, “Roberta, it was not my faith that got me through it. It was the faith of my friends.”

—Roberta C. Bondi, Wild Things: Poems of Grief and Love, Loss and Gratitude (Upper Room Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

When have your friends helped you have faith? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
—Hebrews 11:1 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, as you draw us closer to you, draw us closer to each other. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
• 1 Peter 1:17-23
• Luke 24:13-35

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

If your own particular sins are left out of your confession, your confessing of sin in general has no more effect upon your mind than if you had confessed only that all people in general are sinners.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of William Law (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

What is one specific sin you have committed this week? Take a moment to admit it to God. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
—1 John 1:8–9 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God of wisdom and truth, give me self-awareness. Let me see the consequences of my actions plainly, so I may build my character to look like yours. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

Nothing [is] so reasonable and pious as to have no will but God’s and to desire nothing for ourselves. . . . Nothing hurts us, nothing destroys us, but the ill use of that liberty which God has entrusted us.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of William Law (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

Is there something you are choosing over God’s will for you? What is one step you can take to humbly accept God’s path? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.”
—Luke 22:42 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God of wisdom and truth, give me self-awareness. Let me see the consequences of my actions plainly, so I may build my character to look like yours. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

For those who pray daily to God that all may be happy in heaven take the likeliest way to make themselves wish for and delight in the happiness of all on earth.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of William Law (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

Do you pray specifically for people you don’t like? Which of these people will you pray blessings upon today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
—Matthew 5:44–45 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God of wisdom and truth, give me self-awareness. Let me see the consequences of my actions plainly, so I may build my character to look like yours. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

No people have more occasion to be afraid of the approaches of pride than those who have made some advances in a pious life. Pride can grow as well upon our virtues as our vices.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of William Law (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

What are you most proud of in your Christian walk? Does this pride ever cause you to judge others, feel superior to others, be slow to forgive, or commit another sin? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Pride goes before destruction
and a haughty spirit before a fall.

—Proverbs 16:18 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God of wisdom and truth, give me self-awareness. Let me see the consequences of my actions plainly, so I may build my character to look like yours. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

Let us only intend to see and hear, and the whole world becomes a book of wisdom. . . . the miseries and errors that we see in other people become so many plain lessons of advice to us.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of William Law (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

When have you learned a lesson from someone else’s mistakes? When have you learned from their wisdom? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.

—Proverbs 1:20 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God of wisdom and truth, give me self-awareness. Let me see the consequences of my actions plainly, so I may build my character to look like yours. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

Those who dare not say an ill-natured word or do an unreasonable thing because they consider God as everywhere present perform a better devotion than those who dare not miss church.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of William Law (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

Are you aware of how God views your actions as you make them? Does that change how you act? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“This man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.
—Luke 18:14 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God of wisdom and truth, give me self-awareness. Let me see the consequences of my actions plainly, so I may build my character to look like yours. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

The measure of our love to God seems in justice to be the measure of our love of every virtue. We are to love and practice it with all our hearts.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of William Law (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

How is righteousness, or having good virtues, related to your faith in God? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.”
—Philippians 3:10–9 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God of wisdom and truth, give me self-awareness. Let me see the consequences of my actions plainly, so I may build my character to look like yours. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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