Thursday 5th February

Quiet your heart and mind. Imagine going with Jesus to a quiet place. Humbly kneel at Jesus’ feet.

“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!"

Psalm 66:5

Ponder: Jesus “took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:16)." Imagine that you are one of those children.

Scripture

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

2 John 3 [NKJV]

First, imagine Jesus is focusing on you, looking you right in the eye, and holding out a gift for you. Hear Him pray this over you. Read the blessing again slowly. What do you notice?

Kindness through his grace

Especially when living in another country, I really try to keep my focus on the last 2 parts of this passage: truth and love. Whatever circumstance I am in, if I can show a bit of the love that Christ showed for us, I feel it is a little victory. My current location has very few foreigners, so much so that many people don’t know how to react when they encounter one. A simple smile often transforms a tense, nervous encounter into one of happiness during that moment.

A little more difficult task is how to communicate the truth of God and His love for us through His Son. Not only can it be challenging to separate cultural differences from truth, but also how to demonstrate that truth to not turn others away from Jesus, when their culture is strongly against Him.

This is where I feel especially blessed to have the grace, mercy and peace of God. Knowing that I need not specific deeds, actions or outcomes; that there is not a chance, but a guarantee of this marvelous gift is almost overwhelming. When challenges arrive, I can be confident that God has a plan that is grander than I can imagine. Remembering this helps me rest in and accept the grace, mercy and peace that God has generously given me, which then encourages me to show more love to others.

ST, Teacher, Creative Access Country

Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. Imagine them sitting on Jesus’ knee as you pray.

Kids’ Question: How do you show kindness to others?