Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything, but God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

Read

1 Peter 4:7-11 (NRSV)

The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Reflect

How many times have people asked, “What it would be like if we all got along?” As Christians, that is exactly what we are to do. Jesus taught that we are to be an example of one’s faith, to be forgiving and more loving to another, to be a neighbor to an enemy.

After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, the early Christians believed that Jesus would return soon, during their life time. Jesus had taught his followers how to live until his return and instructed them to share those teachings, which meant that his teachings about the Kingdom of God would continue to be heard. We, too, are asked to follow and share Jesus’ teachings as we wait for his return.

The message remains the same as it did years ago. The early Christians were instructed to love one another. They were not to complain about one another. They were to be hospitable. They were to get along. All these things we have also been called to do today as Christians.

People are looking for reasons to criticize Christians and their actions. Let us not give them a reason. Let us love one another just as Christ has loved us. May all of our actions glorify God.

Pray

Help me, O God, to treat my neighbor as I would want to be treated. Help me to show the world that to be a Christian is to love one another unconditionally.

Go with God.