Maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

When we forget something, it’s just a little slip of the mind; but when someone else forgets, it is quite often viewed as gross negligence. When we snap at someone because we are irritable, it’s because we are having a bad day; but if someone else snaps at us, we see them as mean-spirited. And of course, if we are late for an appointment, it is because we are having a hectic day; but if the other person is late, we easily accuse them of irresponsibility.

We may chuckle at this, but isn’t this the way we tend to behave? It’s easy to condemn and criticize others for their shortcomings while excusing our own.

We all have faults. And while someone’s fault may strike a sour note in us, be assured that our own faults are striking a similar sour note in others around us. Jesus did not tell us to judge others, but to have love for others. The Body of Christ is made stronger by our willingness to use our voices to uplift and affirm rather than to use them to criticize the actions and shortcomings of those around us.

God of Love and Justice, may we always affirm those around us and grant us the wisdom to accept each one without judgment!

If you do these things, you shall never fail. (2 Peter 1:10)

I have to admit that I enjoy cooking. I enjoy having guests over to partake of my efforts in the kitchen. And I understand how recipes work. There are a combination of ingredients and usually one key ingredient that defines the overall dish. For example, fudge includes sugar, butter and walnuts, but the key ingredient is the chocolate. Or a tuna fish casserole includes noodles, a cream type base, salt or other seasoning, but the key ingredient is the tuna fish.

Life can be defined as a recipe. Peter lists some of the ingredients that mix into a successful life on the spiritual plane. Faith is believing in Jesus, trusting God, depending on God and doing what is right through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Virtue is strength, courage and persistence. Knowledge is knowing, learning, through the reading of the Holy Scriptures. Temperance is often translated as self-control and good judgment. Godliness is having respect for God and what God has done and is doing. Brotherly kindness is the attitude of siblings who really love each other deeply. Charity, also translated as Love, is the desire to do good for others without cause or expectation.

In all of this, the key ingredient is God. Mix well and walk it out daily and you have the complete recipe for a happy, successful life.

Holy God, be a part of my recipe that my life will turn out the way it is supposed to—like the picture on the menu!

But seek God’s kingdom, and these things will be added unto you. (Luke 12: 31)

“Don’t worry, be happy,” says a song from several years back. “Not to worry,” is another common phrase heard in our society. They both want you to understand that a given situation is not all that important. A person who is constantly concerned and anxious about things is called a worrywart. Very few people live lives that are totally worry-free. Nonetheless, Jesus emphatically tells us not to worry. This is not a suggestion, but rather a command.

When we expend the energy to constantly worry over matters that are best left in the hands of God, we drain our energies that could be used for more constructive things. Worrying does not offer any positive change to anything we do and actually compromises our quality of life. Jesus provides all that we need.

Jesus hints at the cause of worry in human beings—a lack of faith in what God can do and also a fear of the unknown. One needs only to look around at God’s creation. The birds and animals are taken care of, the flowers bloom without punching a time clock, and we, too, are a part of that creation.

Jesus certainly understood humanity well. “Oh, you of little faith!” The disciples in the boat feared the great storm around them and woke Jesus. “Oh, you of little faith!” Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. “Oh, you of little faith!” Place your faith in something tried and true, something that has withstood the test of 2000 plus years. Jesus is in control!

God of ever-faithfulness, grant us the courage to believe that we are safe under Your care and our worries are worthless!

These things I command you, that you have love for one another. (John 15: 17)

On the street I saw a small girl, cold and shivering in a thin dress, with little hope of a decent meal.

I became angry and said to God, “Why did you permit this? Why don't you do something about it?”

For awhile God said nothing. That night as I lay asleep, God replied. “I certainly did do something about it. I created you!”

God of wisdom and mercy, help us to see our place in Your world and that we were created for each other that we might share the love You have for us with others.

As an eagle stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young; as it spreads its wings, takes them up, and bears them aloft on its pinions, the Lord alone guides God’s people. (Deuteronomy 32: 11-12)

Deuteronomy’s author uses this image of an eagle teaching its young to fly as an image of God. The adult eagle nudges the youngster out of the nest, and the eaglet falls like a rock. The older bird catches the eaglet and carries the young one on its wings, back to the nest. Time after time this occurs until the eaglet learns to spread its wings and fly on its own.

Like the young eagles, others in the Bible are pushed out of their familiar and safe nests to learn new ways. Peter, with his established fishing business, wife and home, was nudged in a new direction when his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus. Saul, later known as Paul, was pushed out of his self-righteousness and religious exclusivity into a whole new life as he was confronted by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.

Through Bible study, prayer and worship, God challenges us to move out of our nests of complacency. We learn then to truly love and serve others and freely extend God’s grace to the world.

Blessed Creator, nudge us this day out of our comfort zones. Give us wings that enable us to soar as You would have us do!

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (Job 23: 12)

It was painful for a six-year old to watch, but there she lay—tiny, silver-haired and prim, all four feet eleven inches of her—drawing each breath with difficulty and her voice barely audible. “Be a good boy!” she whispered. Those were the last words I heard from the lips of “Grandma!” The were spoken to me as a gift, I felt. This was the one who read bible stories to me and introduced me to Jesus Christ when I was barely walking, a blond, scruffy little scrapper.

“Grandma” had been a real pal to me—I never would forget the shopping trips and the ten-block walk to church from her house on Sunday mornings. At the store she would give me a dime and say, “Buy whatever you want!” That felt like heaven to a tyke who rarely saw coins or even understood what money was. I would walk around and around the candy section evaluating the possibilities.

“Grandma” was the widow of a railroad worker who had been spared much of the disaster of the great depression because the trains still ran. She would compliment me on my choice of a purchase as if to express a genuine appreciation for the time I took to make the best choice.

“Be a good boy!” Who could possible fail after being given a challenge like that from someone they admired so much. The very memories of our times together in the scriptures and the tales she would tell about bible characters continue to bring a challenge to my heart and tears to my eyes.

God of mercy and love, may we each find a special someone who will share the beauty of You with us in our daily walks!

Scripture: John 13

Today’s Verse: By this shall all men know that you are my disciples; if you have love one for another. (John 13:35

In his novel, Les Miserables, Victor Hugo tells of Jean Valjean whose only crime was the theft of a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving children. Valjean served nineteen years for this crime before being turned out penniless on the streets. Hardened and unable to find work as a former convict, Valjean finally makes his way to the home of a good old bishop, who gives him supper and a bed for the night. He serves Valjean using his best silver platters and candlesticks, which Valjean recognizes as being highly valuable.

Yielding to temptation, Valjean steals the bishop’s silver platters and slips away from the bishop’s home, but is soon caught and returned by watchful police. When shown the silver platters, the bishop says to the apprehending policemen, “Why, I gave them to him.” And turning to the thief, Valjean, the bishop added, “And Jean, you forgot to take the candlesticks.” A shocked and eternally grateful Valjean accepts the candlesticks as more than valuable silver pieces, but as expressions of love beyond measure. The bishop’s act brought about a true repentance and change in his life.

Who knows which person might be impacted by your act of kindness today? What seems little to you may be great in the eyes of a person in need of love.

God of eternal love, may we always be willing to express Your love to all those around us, not just a chosen few that we feel are deserving!