The Upper Room Devotion for Tuesday, May 28, 2024, was written by Matt Bodnar of West Virginia,
Scripture
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. 12 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; 13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. 15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
1 Thessalonians 5:8-15 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
I grew up in a quiet small town in West Virginia, and I was quite nervous when I decided to go to law schoool three hours away in Ohio. I did not know anybody there, and in a sense I would be starting all over again. I prayed to God that I would find a group of friends so that I would not be lonely in an unfamiliar place.
When I got to the school, I was having little success with meeting people. I started to lose hope and accept the fact that I would have to brave law school alone. But it was not long before God answered my prayers and introduced to me the greatest group of friends a person could ask for. I now experience an abundance of love and kindness from them. And just as 1 Thssalonians 5:11 states, my friends and I continue to encourage and build one another up.
These words from 1 Thessalonians 5 are important for everyone, everywhere. It is vital that we all continue to encourage one another and build each other up. As I have learned from my friends in law school, we are all in this together.
Thought for the Day
Each day I will uplift those around me with love and encouragement.
Author's Prayer
Dear Lord, guide us as we look out for one another, and help those in need of our support. Amen.
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