The Upper Room Devotional 13th November 2023 —Cheerful Givers
Read and Study Today’s The Upper Room Daily Devotional for November 13, 2023 Message written by Ada Iris Santiago Vargas (Puerto Rico). God bless you as you study today! Please share with your friends and loved ones.
TODAY’S TOPIC: CHEERFUL GIVERS
Ada Iris Santiago Vargas (Puerto Rico)
TODAY’S READING
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A generous heart pleases the Lord.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
I am the youngest of four children. In the rural part of Puerto Rico where we grew up, all types of fruit abounded in the fields of the country estates. We were poor, but we were viewed by others as rich because my father was the overseer of one of the country estates. He was responsible for the well-being of a dozen families who worked there. I remember how my mother shared our food with the families of the estate community. And my father advanced money to the workers so their children would not go hungry, even though our family was also in need.
As I reflect on the loving, generous spirit of my parents and how they led by example, I remain grateful. If my parents, foregoing their own needs, shared what they had, how much more does God, the loving parent, do for us by showing mercy and loving-kindness? Thanks be to God!
TODAY’S PRAYER
Generous God, who “upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry,” (Ps. 146:7), thank you for your eternal compassion. We pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:9-13, NIV). Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS
Community food banks
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