Thank You, Father, for a good day yesterday both in worship and with family. As this day gets underway several needs come to mind. Several family members are struggling with physical issues today and I would ask that Your hand be upon each person. May Your presence be known. May they have a portion of Your strength. May they be encouraged, knowing that Your children are lifting them up in prayer today. And if it is Your will, please place Your healing touch upon them all. Amen
1 Peter 3:8 (<<click here)
Lord, one of the greatest benefits of being a part of your family is that You set us up to succeed. We are often not successful when we allow “fleshly” – sinful – elements to filter into the mix. But if we keep our eyes on You and off the world we can accomplish great things.
Peter gives us an excellent formula. We are all to be of “one mind” – unified, pursuing the same goals. So many endeavors fall apart because we all have different agendas and quite often we push for things that benefit ourselves. Working together provides a bond and helps us to filter out fleshly elements.
We are called to “sympathize with each other.” Working together in a dedicated fashion we can’t help but see each other – we are drawn together. As we interact, our needs and struggles begin to surface and instead of driving us apart or allowing it to ostracize certain members of the whole; our interactions should enable us to respond with helping hands and receptive hearts to the needs of others.
This unity and sympathy is a natural outpouring of our “love” for “each other.” Love is our motivator and “covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) It’s the glue that holds us together. After all, Lord, Your “are love.” (1 John 4:8)
Another portion of the formula is to “be tenderhearted.” As we love each other, and as we become more and more like You, we become more sensitive to the thoughts and needs of others. And because of that love, our heart’s desire is to meet those needs – to love others not just with words but by what we do, as well.
And lastly, we are to keep “a humble attitude.” Others first, self last. Our desire becomes for others to succeed and to rejoice with them when they do. As John the Baptist states in John the Apostle’s Gospel, You, Lord, “must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30) You are to be first and foremost in our lives and as we live out that truth, our goal becomes the same in our relationship with others.
Lord, may this formula drive my actions each and every day with those whom I would interact. May who I am reflect Your presence in my life. Amen.
Jan. 2nd, Mon., 6:27 am
