Devotional by Rev. Paula Gembala
Scripture: John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Thought for the Day: Each time I turn on the news, I find myself feeling sick when I hear all the devastation around the world. Recently, we have been hearing so much about terroristic acts as people use their bodies as a suicide bomber, as well as domestic violence where a family member shoots and kills their own children. When I listen to this type of news, I remind myself of the command Jesus gave to us, and think what a wonderful place this would be, if we would just follow this simple rule: “Love one another.”
I encourage you to focus on these words as you go about your day. Say those words aloud as you are cut off by another car while in traffic; when you are standing in the check out line and the person ahead of you pulls out that wad of coupons; as you sit at your desk at work and the phone just won’t stop, when you go home in the evening and your children want your attention when you just want to relax. No matter what is going on at the time, remember this simple phrase and practice saying it to yourself – aloud or silently. Allow the words to penetrate your being and make the world a better place in which we live.
Prayer: Love of all, help us to remember and practice the command you have given to each of us – to love one another, and in so doing, we can made the world a better place to live. Lord, we want to be the light of Christ to others, give us the compassion and insight to see in them what you see. Amen.
Mark your calendars for a six week journey
on learning how to love our kids and grandkids.
Classes kick off August 14th @ 11am
in the youth building.
Sign up in the narthex on Sundays.
