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About Disciplines

The Upper Room Disciplines provides an opportunity to look more deeply at scripture by offering a week of devotions by a single author on a particular theme.

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Latest Disciplines Devotions

The Paradoxical Ways of God - March 16, 2019

March 16, 2019

The first verse of this text says, “At that very hour.” What hour? The hour when Jesus, while making his way to Jerusalem, is casting out demons and curing the sick....

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The Paradoxical Ways of God - March 15, 2019

March 15, 2019

Paul encourages his sisters and brothers “to stand firm in the Lord in this way.” What way does he mean? First Paul advises them to imitate him. But wait; Paul’s conversion...

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The Paradoxical Ways of God - March 14, 2019

March 14, 2019

The psalmist’s life has been anything but a bed of roses. He has been beset by trouble, ravaged by war, pursued by enemies, and victimized by violence and false testimony. Even...

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The Paradoxical Ways of God - March 13, 2019

March 13, 2019

When my sister was dying, her son asked her, “Mom, if you were granted one wish, what would that be?” With the small voice she had left after undergoing three surgeries...

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The Paradoxical Ways of God - March 12, 2019

March 12, 2019

Abram is old and childless; his wife, Sarai, is well beyond childbearing age. Abram cannot believe that his own child will be his heir and that his descendants will outnumber the...

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The Paradoxical Ways of God - March 11, 2019

March 11, 2019

The Lord comes to Abram “after these things.” After what things? The verses immediately preceding tell us that Abram has come from battle with those who captured his nephew. The Lord...

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God’s Unwavering Presence - March 10, 2019

March 10, 2019

Reflecting on the temptations of Jesus can be difficult. They touch on our human desires to eat, to have power, and to be immortal. We all feel these desires at one...

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God’s Unwavering Presence - March 9, 2019

March 9, 2019

When we read these verses of the book of Isaiah and reflect on our world today, we have no choice but to conclude that these words are as relevant today as...

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God’s Unwavering Presence - March 8, 2019

March 8, 2019

Today we continue reflecting on this passage from the letter to the Romans. The apostle Paul, the author of this letter, is an expert in Jewish law and had lived his...

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God’s Unwavering Presence - March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019

The apostle Paul writes this letter to an emerging Christian congregation in the capital of the Roman Empire. This congregation probably meets in someone’s home and is composed not only of...

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