~ Without Barriers ~

[Lani]

1 Thessalonians 5:11-24
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Encourage one another and build up each other. (NRSV) 1 Thessalonians 5:11



We – Gaby and Sarah – live in two counters and are separated by almost 1800 miles. Gaby lives in Mexico City, Mexico and Sara lives in Wisconsin, USA. One day when we were talking about our friendship we decided that it was time to write a mediation together, considering that our friendship had grown through our reading The Upper Room together.

We met two years ago in Sarah’s hometown. Our goal at the beginning was simply to improve our skills in a second language by using the same “textbook” – The Upper Room for Gaby and El Aposento Alto for Sarah. As we read aloud and corrected each other’s pronunciation, we also began to discuss that day’s meditation as it related to our lives. We shared sad times as well as happy times, and in all of them we encouraged each other as God tells us that we should.

After Gaby returned to Mexico, we were still able to continue our meetings through the wonders of the computer. We are separated by distance, but our hearts are united by God’s love for each of us, day by day.





Prayer:Lord Jesus, send your blessings and love to friends and family who live far apart and give them the opportunity to be together again. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Friends who live far apart
Thought for the Day: God's love reaches across the miles to strengthen and warm us.

Story shared by: G. Gomez (Mexico) and S. Linn (WI)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/1/11