And be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)

An old legend tells of a covey of quail that lived in a forest. They would have been happy except for their enemy, the quail catcher. He would imitate their call, and then when they gathered together, he would throw a net over them, stuff them into his hunting basket, and carry them off to market.

One wise quail said, “Brothers and sisters, I have a plan. When the fouler puts his net over us, we each should put our heads through a section of the net and flap our wings in unison. We can lift the net and fly away with it.” All were in agreement. The next day, they did just that, making a successful escape. After several days, the fowler’s wife asked him, “Where are the quail to take to market?” He replied, “The trouble is that all the birds work together and help one another escape.”

Awhile later, one quail began to fight with another. “I lifted all the weight on the net. You didn’t help at all!” he complained. The other quail became angry and before long, the entire covey was quarreling. The fouler saw his chance. He imitated the cry of the quail and cast his net over them. Preoccupied with the quarreling, they didn’t help one another and lift the net in flight.

If we concentrate on the faults of others, we lose sight of our togetherness and helpfulness, and that can be the undoing of all concerned.

Holy God of Justice and Love, guide us in our interactions with one another that we might uplift and help and keep us from the snare of the evil one that can happen when our focus is on the negative things!

Martha said to Jesus, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (John 11:27)

I watched one afternoon as a squirrel scampered down the tree outside my house. It saw me and, for a moment, stopped and hung upside down, studying me carefully. Its bright eyes darted from side to side. I sighed. I felt that life had just turned upside down for me and I was envious of the little creature who could cling so effortlessly upside down and wished I could manage the same thing.

I’m not alone when it comes to feeling the upheaval of the world. Events had turned Martha’s life upside down. Her beloved brother, Lazarus, had died. And the one person who could have made a difference had, inexplicably, shown up four days too late. Martha could have asked “Why?” but chose instead to say, “I believe.”

When we do not understand the turmoil around us, our natural inclination is to panic rather than trust. But Martha’s example teaches us that Christ always knows timing. Our trust in God can keep us stable in the most tumultuous of times.

Most Holy God, Your timing is always right. Help us to hold on when our world is topsy-turvy, knowing that You will be there!

The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. (1 Peter 3:12)

Many years ago, prior to the building of the Interstate Highways, many northern motorists learned of a speed trap on the road to Florida. The sign was plain: 35 mph. But the road was clear and local motorists were zipping along at 50. However, if a Michigan license plate just moved with the flow of traffic, the driver went to court and paid a heavy fine.

Christians are out-of-state drivers on this earth. Peter calls us “strangers and sojourners.” It is no surprise that people of the earth, the worldly majority, are setting up “speed traps” for the believers in hopes of catching us doing or saying something wrong as we pass through on our way to heaven.

Around us non-Christians are “speeding” and driving recklessly with obscene language, lying, pushing selfish agendas and indulging in all sorts of behavior that they would immediately confront in another if they saw it. A double standard exists if one is known to be a Christian.

So what should we do? Peter suggests that we follow the “Speed limit.” In other words, if Christian behavior is defined a certain way, we need to live that way and give no cause or credence to those who watch for some spiritual infraction.

Anyone out there got a better idea than that?

Holy God of Justice, may we walk in Your light and walk a right path as the world waits to ensnare us in its own behavior!

Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God doth go with thee, Who will not fail thee nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

On a summer morning as he was fixing his breakfast, Ray Blankenship looked out his window to see a young girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage beside his Ohio home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath the road and emptied into a main culvert.

Ray dashed from his home and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the flailing child. Finally, he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. When he surfaced, he was able to grab the girl’s arm. The two tumbled end over end and then, within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something protrude from the bank. He clung to it desperately, the tremendous force of the water trying to tear him and the child away.

By the time fire department rescuers arrived, Blankenship amazingly had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. In that heroic moment, Ray Blankenship was at even greater risk than most people realized–he could not swim.

Today, let your response to the needs of others be made out of courage and trust in God, not out of personal fear.

Holy Creator, in our dealings with one another, may Your Holy Spirit fill us with courage that we do not have. May You guide us and strengthen us to do things that we cannot or will not do on our own!

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 3:6)

Some great gifts come into our lives quietly, even without awareness. They may not come because of our effort or planning; they simply happen and show up. Consider the gift of God’s love. This great gift may come to us in unexpected places or times, by surprising means.

I think of my neighbor, who enjoys gardening and grows lovely flowers in his backyard. Though a tall fence separates our yards, through a small hole a vine of dark green leaves has now overflowed into my side, bringing unexpected beauty to my own yard.

This vine has caused me to consider the sometimes subtle ways God comes into our lives. Though we may attempt to fence God out, the Spirit of God in Jesus Christ comes in through even the tiniest openings. Small tendrils of love come into our minds and souls, sharing God’s greatness and grace until we recognize God’s presence. Whether this love comes quietly or openly, it brings beauty and healing to make us whole on the inside, as much as we will allow.

Loving God, may the vines of Your love invade my space through every tiny opening that I am unaware of until I can stand in Your presence and know with all certainty that You are walking with me!

He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born over all creation. (Colossians 1: 15)

We often find ourselves compared to one or both parents. Many times I have been told that I look like my father, or that I have my mother’s smile or distinct way of laughing. Family traits can also go beyond looks or sounds and can be noticeable in attitudes and other actions.

This portion of Scripture emphasizes that God revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. What we see in Christ and what we hear through Christ’s teachings are the very mind of God. The family resemblance of attitude and action is unmistakable. Our understanding of the world and its meaning is found in terms of the spiritual ends confirmed in Christ. The created universe with all its physical aspects is an unfolding of the mind of God through Christ. In a lesser fashion, we see this revealed in our physical universe in the beauty of spring and fall.

We know God fully through the animated Spirit of Christ who brings the church to life. We each, in our daily walks, also bear a familiar family resemblance to the God and the Christ in whom we believe and follow.

God of love, may our resemblance to You and Your Son continue to grow and lead others in our daily walks!

Scripture: John 12: 44-50

Verse for Today: I have come as a light into the world, that whosoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (John 12:46)

Jesus Christ came into a dark and depressed world to bring light and encouragement. Many heard His message, believed, and accepted the promise it offered. Others heard, wanted to believe, but were too afraid of their religious leaders and their religious heritage to speak openly about their belief. There were also those who heard the message and chose to openly reject it.

The same scenario exists today. There are those who choose to believe and are sure that Jesus is the Christ and have made Him their personal Savior. There are those who mentally accept the belief that He is Christ but are afraid of the ridicule of peers or that they might have to loosen their hold on worldly possessions. And there are those who have heard the gospel message and choose to reject it without giving it much thought at all.

Sometimes it is difficult to believe in things we cannot see, yet the Book of Hebrews gives ample proof of such beliefs in both the old and new testaments. Our personal lives, when we reflect back on times of need and our prayers addressing those needs, will carry their own proof in answered prayers and salvation from various situations that probably frightened or confused us.

When we stand firm in our trust and belief, God will bless us and lift us up. We need only to examine our relationship with the Divine through our own experiences, pray for guidance as we study God’s word, and the assurance we seek in the face of the unseen and unknown will make itself clear. We will find that we are part of a vast community of believers and we shall be filled with “joy unspeakable.”

God of love and revelation, open our eyes to the unseen that we might believe even more certainly that You are by our side!