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.
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Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
John 6:35
Today I will be fed by reading Scripture, taking time to be still, and knowing God is always with me.
I will feed others by being kind, listening attentively, and being respectful of their needs and hopes.
[Live]…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love. Ephesians 4:-2
Treat yourself and others with gentleness. Choose gentle words. Make your touch gentle. Look into hearts. See the fragility and vulnerability there. Know that gentleness heals.
[Jesus said,] “But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” John 16:13
The truth is that when I love and treat others with patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, then I am filled with the Spirit of God.
Today I will let God’s Spirit guide me in all my interactions.
God is love, and whoever abides in love
abides in God and God in him. 1 John 4:16b
I abide in love when I treat others with compassion, patience, and respect. I abide in love when I graciously receive help or kindness from another. I abide in love when I spend quiet time in prayer with the Lord—alone or with others.
Today I will pray to be filled with God’s kindness and patience. I will pray to give and receive love wherever I go.
Mary Ann McSweeny 