1 Peter 4:8-9   Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Have you ever thought about how love and hospitality go together?  Without love, hospitality is just doing what you think you should.  Without hospitality, love has no outlet and no evidence.  We love because we were first loved by God.  The practical outcome is that we love others and give ourselves for their good.  In other words, we practice hospitality because the love of God is flowing through us.  Does that define you?

John 10:4-5, 10   The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Isn't it wonderful?  Jesus knows your name.  And He gave His life for you.  That is why we follow Him.  That is why we listen for His voice.  Do you recognize His voice?  Are you listening?  Are you following?

2 Timothy 1:12 (MSG)  …  I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.

I know that Jesus loves me, and I know that I can trust Him with my life and my eternity.  And I know that I can trust Him to guide my life today and every day.  When my life is over, I know that I can trust Him to care for me forever.

And what could be better than that?!

Romans 8:13-16   For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

If you live for Jesus, the Holy Spirit testifies within us that we belong to Him as His own beloved children.  And who can argue with that?!

John 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 1:4-5   In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

That's good news on a day when you think the world can't get any darker.  Just remember that He is the light, and He has overcome the world!

Ephesians 2:4-10   But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Notice that we don't do anything to gain our own salvation.  He, because of His great love, saves us by His grace.  So what is our part?  Believe in Him (that's faith) and love Him (including walking in the good works that He has prepared for us).  Oh yes, one more thing:  Be thankful for all that He has done for you.

1 John 4:4   Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

We don't need to fear.  All we need to do is trust.  That is, if we are truly God's children.  Why?  Because God is greater than anything we will ever face.  And that is a truth you can base your life on.

Job 38:4-7   “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?  On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 42:1-3   Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’  Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."

I wonder if you have lost your wonder.  When is the last time you were amazed by the works of God?  When did you last thank Him for all that He has done for you?  Why don't you thank Him now?

Matthew 11:28-29   Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Today is a day of rest.  Not just napping in the hammock, but true rest in the One who has done all that needs to be done in my life.  He gives rest because He has first given Himself.  So today, rest in Jesus.

Who do you know who needs to know Jesus?  Who do you see who is running fast but getting nowhere?  With whom can you share the good news that Jesus came to give them rest?

1 Corinthians 8:1-5   We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.  For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

They gave out of their poverty to help others in need.  They begged to be allowed to give.  And they had joy in the giving.  Why?

I believe it was because they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to those in need.  When you give yourself first to Jesus, He will open your eyes to see those who are in need.  And if you then give more than you think you can afford to bless someone else, you will discover joy.