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The Upper Room Devotional Celebrates 90th Anniversary
More Than 1.5 Billion Copies Printed Worldwide Since 1935 NASHVILLE, Tenn. May 1, 2025 — The Read More
Julie O'Neal | Read Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Bread of Life, given for you. Cup of Hope, poured out for you. At the core of the church’s purpose is a constant exploration of what it truly means to live out the teachings of Christ. One way we do that in the life of the church is through ritual....
God, you have promised the gift of living water. May we be quick to accept your invitation, wash our robes, and sit at your holy table. Amen.
Across these verses, a rich journey unfolds, weaving together themes of identity, transformation, faith, and unity. Acts portrays powerful shifts in identity as a young enslaved girl and a jailer are given new opportunities. In the psalms, we read how people empowered with God’s righteousness and justice can transform communities. Revelation helps us remember the early church and how tradition continues today. John underscores unity among believers, praying for oneness through faith, mirroring divine unity. Collectively, these scriptures showcase how individual identity, nurtured by faith and transformation, unites people with God and one another, fostering cohesive unity and shared purpose.
• Read Acts 16:16-34. When have you experienced unexpected transformations that have challenged your sense of identity and self-perception?
• Read Psalm 97. How does recognizing the presence of something greater than yourself inspire in you gratitude and a desire to contribute to your community?
• Read John 17:20-26. What signs of division do you see in your community? How can you work toward the oneness to which God calls us?
• Read Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21. Who is invited into the kingdom? How does this reshape the way you view the invitation to the sacraments?
Respond by posting a prayer.
