[Jesus said,] “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27c
Every day brings events and situations that tempt me to let my heart be troubled and afraid.
Today I will remember I have a choice: I can let the temptation to be afraid overtake me, or I can trust in the Lord’s peace and refuse fear. The Holy Spirit will remind me and teach me how to choose peace.
Lord, lead me not into the temptation of fear. Open my heart to accept your peace.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. Psalm 145:8-9
The Lord’s example shows me how to live the new commandment of love, including practicing courtesy, forgiveness, forbearance, kindness, and compassion towards every member of the human family.
Today I will show I am the Lord’s disciple by loving my neighbor and asking the Lord to bless all people everywhere, without exception.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52
In every moment I have the option to rejoice in God’s gift of the Holy Spirit.
May I remember to turn to the light in hard times. May I ask the Lord to guide me in the way of wisdom, understanding, compassion, forgiveness, peace, and kindness.
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O LORD, be my helper. Psalm 30:11b
Let me not be ashamed to ask for the Lord’s help as often as I need. The Lord will not withhold from me. Let me always remember to say thank you.
Lord, may I rely on you to feed me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. May your unfailing, kind attention fill me with gratitude.
Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19b
Let us not doubt the Lord’s peace. It is a peace of the heart, the peace of knowing God is here, with us now and forever. We have not been forsaken, no matter how outside events appear. The vision is God’s, the timing is God’s, the peace is ours for the taking.
Lord, whatever I am experiencing today, I know you are here with me. Help me to receive your peace and extend it to all people everywhere.
[Jesus] had to rise from the dead. John 20:9b
With love, there is no choice. Love revives us, renews us, raises us to new life where kindness, peace, and compassion meet, collaborate, and bless our words, actions, behaviors, and our very lives.
Today I will remember Jesus had to rise from the dead because of the power of love. God’s love raises us beyond darkness and injustice, confusion and grief, illness and death.
Lord, let my heart be open to receive and release the renewing power of your love.
[Jesus said to her,] “Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.” John 8:10-11
I am often tempted to judge and condemn myself and others. But this temptation is not of God.
Today I will remember God’s great mercy and kindness. I will reject fear. I will ask God to fill me with God’s love, peace, compassion, and joy.
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
The same Spirit of love and goodness dwells in each precious human person. We are each led by God’s Spirit to bless our families and communities with that love and goodness in our own unique way.
Today I will ask God’s Spirit for deep awareness of the love and goodness in my heart and to show me how to bless everyone I encounter with that love and goodness.
“For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” John 18:37
Jesus came into the world to remind us of the truth: God made us in God’s own image of love and goodness.
Every day we have the opportunity to testify to God’s love and goodness by treating each other with the dignity and respect due to God’s beloved children.
Today I will listen to the voice of the Lord and tell the truth of who I am. I will testify to God’s love and goodness with my words, actions, behaviors, and attitudes.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68
Who else could teach me to be love, to be compassion, to be forgiveness, to be healing except Jesus, the Master of kindness, reconciliation, and consolation?
Today I will serve the Lord by practicing what he has taught me: to love my enemies and my neighbor; to serve the poor, homeless, hungry, and ill; to comfort the frightened, distraught, and hopeless.
Mary Ann McSweeny 