Tag Archives: love

God answers with kindness

Bilal Mirza
House Sparrows in Pakistan

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

God cares about us. God watches over us. God is with us through times of distress, grief, and persecution. God’s grace overflows into our hearts to give us the courage and faith we need in every moment. We have nothing to fear.

Today I will pray to the Lord for guidance in every situation and know that he will answer me with kindness and compassion.

Into the heart of the Lord

Frank Scholten (1881-1942)
Herd of sheep, NINO F Scholten Tel Aviv 06: 06

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

When we feel lost and abandoned, troubled and anxious, we need to remember the Lord is our shepherd. He always welcomes us into his heart of compassion and gives us peace.

Today I will receive the Lord’s gift of love and peace with gratitude, and I will freely give to others what I receive from the Lord.

Tempted from within

“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1b-2a

When I am tempted to be afraid… to blame others… to hold on to resentment… to criticize and deride those whose opinions, religions, lifestyles are different from mine… to flirt with self-pity…

… I will call on the Lord for help.

Today I will remember that temptation comes from within. I will ask God’s Spirit to lead me out of the desert of panic, anger, negative judgment, and despair to a place of peace, kindness, compassion, and acceptance.

A store of love and goodness

“A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good.” Luke6:45a

We have a blessed beginning: we are each made in the image of God’s love and goodness.

May I be willing to be healed of everything that distorts my store of love and goodness: fear, resentment, greed, jealousy, arrogance.

May I uncover the love, forgiveness, generosity, acceptance, and humility that are my birthright and let them flow from me into our fragile world.

Give thanks

Beit Sahur and Bethlehem. Harvesting.
Between 1898 and 1946

It is good to give thanks to the LORD. Psalm 92:2a

Gratitude lifts me out of self-pity, focuses me on the moment, helps me let go of fear, brings me awareness of God’s limitless kindness and abundant gifts.

Today I will practice gratitude for God’s goodness and generosity and give thanks to the Lord.

With us

[Jesus said,] “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

In fear, illness, sorrow, the Lord is with me. In joy, laughter, companionship, the Lord is with me. In loneliness, rejection, suffering, the Lord is with me.

Whatever I experience, wherever I am, the Lord is with me.

Today I will remember the Lord is with me, showing me the path to love and unity.

The Spirit of truth

Pentecost

[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.

Pray in love

Women in Prayer, 2021

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.

Simply love

Helping Hand

Jesus said to his disciples, “This I command you: love one another.” John 15:17

I count 18 instances of the word “love” in today’s readings.

The message is very clear.

Today I choose love in its many forms: listening attentively to others, speaking respectfully to everyone I encounter, helping someone in need, thanking others for their help, treating all people with kindness and courtesy, refraining from gossip and negative criticism, rejoicing in the beauty of creation, spending quiet time alone with the Lord.

Do not be afraid

Zeynel Cebeci
A male house sparrow (Passer domesticus’) at Eskibaraj Dam Lake, Adana – Turkey.
7 November 2018

Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one.”  Matthew 10:26

Today I will open my heart to God’s love. I will ask for the grace to love as God loves. I will ask God to fill me with love, peace, compassion, and joy.

Love heals fear. Today I will choose love over fear.