The Upper Room Devotion for Thursday, February 1, 2024, was written by Jolanta Burzynska of Warmia-Masuria, Poland.
Scripture
6 Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. 7 But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. 14 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
I had kept a Bible in the back seat of my car for several weeks with the belief that God would show me whom to give it to at the right moment. When I arrived at work one morning and got out of my car, I felt a conviction and a nudge from God that I should take the bible inside with me.
That morning, one of my co-workers looked sad and subdued. She told me that her dad was being tested for a serious illness and explained her fears about his possible diagnosis. Feeling certain this was the reason, God had prompted me to bring the Bible inside, I took it out of my bag and told her about my belief. She hugged me, thanking me with tears in her eyes. I told her it was not my merit; I was only a instrument in God's hands.
I prayed for my co-worker's dad. Ultimately, the test results showed that the doctor's concerns about possible serous illness had been wrong. My co-worker now looks to the future with confidence, and she places her hope in God. Every day we try to find time at work for a little break with God.
Pastor Anthony's Thoughts
Friends,
In 2012, I was walking it to the parking lot of an office building after leaving a meeting. As I walked to my car, I saw a young lady sitting on a bench crying. I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to go talk to her, but I resisted. As I got to my car, the Holy Spirit's urging became more pronounced. I pulled a "Let us pray for you" door hanger from my bag, got out of my car, and walked over to the young lady. Introducing myself, I asked if I could prayer for her? She immediately said yes, we talked for a moment, and then I prayed for her situation.
A few weeks later, I received a letter in the mail, without a return address. As I started to throw it away, the Holy Spirit nudged me to open the letter. It was from the young lady, telling me how she had been praying for God to show her a sign that day in the parking lot. Stating she was about to get up when I approached her offering prayer. She told me how that parking lot prayer was the encouragement she needed to make a major decision.
We never know when our gestures of compassion may be the answer to someone's prayers. God wants to partner with us to bless those around us, offering the inspiration and grace they need, in their moments of need. I encourage you not to ignore or resist the nudging the Holy Spirit will give you to be a blessing to someone today.
Author's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for listening to our prayers, for opening our hearts, for helping us to give joyfully to others, and for giving us clear convictions and guidance. Amen.
Comentarios