Daily Devotional: The Upper Room daily devotional: WHERE TO FOCUS?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.

- Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Today's Devotional

I looked up to see cobwebs outside on my upstairs window. As I thought about the best way to clean them up, along came a Willy Wagtail who flew to the ledge and sang me a pretty song.

This experience reminded me of the way God comes into our messy lives. When I concentrated on the bird and his song, I forgot the cobwebs. In a similar way, focusing on praising God tends to put my problems into perspective — helping them fade into the background. If we open our eyes and look around, we will find God always at work bringing joy, light, and a song into the difficult places.


With the power of God at work within me, I hope that I am able to bring a song into the lives of those whom my life touches. Maybe our actions, attitudes, and how we speak to others will brush away some cobwebs and bring joy. As we are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and as we renew our minds with God’s word, we are transformed. Then we can also transform the world around us.

Read more from the author, here. See an image of a willy wagtail, here.

Thought for the Day:

I can put my problems into perspective when I focus on praising God.

Prayer: Loving Father, we thank you for your beautiful creation and praise you for the way you love us and care for us. Amen.

Prayer Focus: ORNITHOLOGISTS

The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.