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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

Building Culture - November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

After hearing Joshua’s words, the gathered community responds promptly that they do indeed choose to serve the Lord. They mirror Joshua’s storytelling for themselves, recalling all the things that God has...

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Building Culture - November 7, 2023

November 7, 2023

There is something sacred about the gathering of kin, whether it be around campfires or couches or tables full of food. Inevitably, stories are shared. Indeed, this is the heartbeat of...

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Building Culture - November 6, 2023

November 6, 2023

Today’s passage is an apt one to come right after All Saints Sunday. It is a comforting message, one that may allow us “not to grieve as others do who have...

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Pressing Forward - November 5, 2023

November 5, 2023

Our week together closes with a victory chant, recorded for us by John of Patmos. He gives us a vision of the celestial throne room transformed into a coliseum abuzz with...

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Pressing Forward - November 4, 2023

November 4, 2023

The opening of Jesus’ final discourse in the Gospel of Matthew is a sharp warning against religious hubris. Jesus uses hyperbole to highlight the pretentiousness of a subset of the Jewish...

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Pressing Forward - November 3, 2023

November 3, 2023

While it is apparent that the intent of today’s reading is to recall the Exodus through the Reed Sea (see Exodus 14:21-22), the attention-grabbing headline of the Jordan River crossing is...

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Pressing Forward - November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Draw near and hear the words of the LORD your God” was the appeal from Joshua to the descendants of Israel as they stood along the banks of the Jordan at...

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Pressing Forward - November 1, 2023

November 1, 2023

The distillation of Torah in the Sermon on the Mount recorded by Matthew portrays Jesus as the second Moses, seated on the mountainside, calling all earnest disciples into alignment with God’s...

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Pressing Forward - October 31, 2023

October 31, 2023

The interweaving of the impact of human choices with God’s creating and un-creating activities is evident in today’s passage. The psalmist briefly draws on imagery from the Noah story: “The LORD...

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Pressing Forward - October 30, 2023

October 30, 2023

Psalm 107 opens with a Hebrew imperative, ho¯du¯! (“Hey, everyone, let’s give thanks!”) Why? Because YHWH is good and faithful. How can I be sure that God is good? The fact...

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