Bear With Each Other

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. — Colossians 3:13

It's not always easy to put up with each other.

People can be frustrating and grate on our nerves.

Even those in our own families.

But God calls us to forgive others as He has forgiven me.

If I have a grievance against someone, God asks me to be the one to start ironing it out.

He forgave me even when I didn't deserve it.

I can do the same for others, even when it's hard.

God Is Faithful

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9

Today is another beautiful day here in sunny California.

We have lemons galore from our tree now that Kirk cut it back yesterday.

Our neighbor is having his trees cut this morning.

And the birds are singing their hearts out.

This is how our plumeria looked back in September.

It's budding again, but no blooms yet.

God helps me bloom when I confess my sin to Him.

And I am very thankful that He forgives me.

Fellowship With Us

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. — 1 John 1:3

Today I spoke with a Physician's Assistant at the Kaiser Bone Health Center.

I had just gotten my bone scan results and she called to let me know.

However, she thought perhaps my info had gotten put into the wrong folder, since nothing had really changed since a year ago.

At that time we discovered I have osteopenia, and I had one hip that showed low bone density of -2.3.

Since bones tend to move, that is no longer the lowest - now it's in my spine with the same number.

She suggested in addition to hiking, walking, jumping rope and swimming, I start doing planks and pushups.

So I'm adding those to my routine.

At the end of the call, she wished me a blessed day and asked if she could wish me a Happy Easter.

I said, "Of course! Happy Easter. He is risen."

To which she wished me a blessed Easter.

And that made my day.

We proclaim Jesus, and our fellowship is with Him and His Father.

Show Respect to Others

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. —  1 Peter 2:17

It's not always easy to show proper respect to everyone.

Some people don't seem to deserve our respect.

Even so, God calls me to show respect to everyone, not just those people I respect.

He calls me to respect those I don't feel like respecting.

And those who are not deserving of my respect.

Come to think of it, I'm not deserving of God's mercy toward me.

And I sometimes treat Him without respect.

Even so, He sacrifices for me.

He cares for me and guides me.

And He provides more than I need.

Thank You, Lord.

The People of God

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. — 2 Peter 2:10

At one time I was not a child of God.

I did not belong to the people of God.

But during this time of Lent, I am reminded of God's sacrifice for me, even before I knew Him.

He had mercy on me, and He still does.

I have received His mercy.

I am a child of God.

I belong to the family of God.

And I am thankful.

Live Good Lives

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. — 1 Peter 2:12

It is not easy to live a good life.

God is perfect, but I'm nowhere close.

Even so, God can help me to do good deeds.

And I want to glorify Him in everything I do.

Others may see my good deeds and glorify God, too.

When I am following His will for my life instead of going off in my own direction.

When I am asking Him to direct me.

God's Special Possession

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9

God calls us his chosen people.

We are a royal priesthood.

And a holy nation.

He has chosen us as His special possession.

Called to declare His praises.

He has called me out of darkness.

And He has called me into His wonderful light.