Daily Bible Study for February 21st

 

Reading for February 21st

Chapter 7 - Spoiled and Spilled Milk

Chapter Focus: Bottom of Page 47 to Page 48

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

On a scale of 1-10, how easy would you say it is to love your neighbor?

Loving my neighbor has gotten a lot easier for me these days, running at about a 7 or an 8 and I have @Rev. Shane Bishop to thank for that. In addition to showing it in his everyday life, he’s also taught me a few tricks along the way. Giving people the benefit of the doubt, making someone earn your distrust, and knowing that I can love someone without agreeing with them are three of the major lessons.

Of course, like many others, it hasn’t always been a joy to find the good in others. For many years I was a self-described “pessimistic realist.” Awful. Really, I just wanted an excuse to be rude and grumpy all the time.

If, like I was, you find yourself more often being pessimistic about others than optimistic, start small. Say something kind to the person at the grocery store checkout, to your waiter/waitress, or to the cashier at the gas station. Genuinely thank someone and offer a blessing for the day. It really is true that a smile goes a long way, and you never know how that tiny act of love can show someone how you are one of Jesus’ disciples.

https://tinyurl.com/linksforfebruary17th

Lord, I pray that you would help me to smile today. Let me be an example of the joy found through Jesus in my community. Bring a positivity and optimism to others that’s well beyond myself and points to the goodness of Jesus Christ. We pray all of this in his mighty name. Amen.