Key Thought

Today's Prayer

O God, the Almighty and gracious Father, thank you for judging me with grace, empowering me with your Spirit, and calling me to a wonderfully unique life in your service. Forgive me for the times I've been envious of other believers. Forgive me for comparing my faith with others, whose hearts I could not know. Focus me on your will and lead me to you so that the glory that others see in me is attributed to your grace and presence in my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

When they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these {other men love me}?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my lambs. " Again Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep. " A third time Jesus said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me?" Peter said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep. I tell you the truth. When you were young, you tied your own belt and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and another person will tie you. That person will lead you where you don't want to go." (Jesus said this to show how Peter would die to give glory to God.) Then Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me!" Peter turned and saw the follower that Jesus loved walking behind them. (This was the follower that had leaned against Jesus at the supper and said, "Lord, who will turn against you?") When Peter saw this follower behind them he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "Maybe I want him to live until I come. That should not be important to you. You follow me!" So a story spread among the brothers (followers). They were saying that this follower {that Jesus loved} would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die. He only said, "Maybe I want him to live until I come. That should not be important to you." That follower is the one that is telling these things. He is the one that has now written these things. We know that what he says is true. There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of these things were written down, I think the whole world would not be big enough for all the books that would be written.

Related Scripture Readings

Is there any person among you who is truly wise and understanding? Then he should show his wisdom by living right. He should do good things with humility. A wise person does not boast. If you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, then you have no reason to boast. Your boasting is a lie that hides the truth. That kind of "wisdom" does not come from God. That "wisdom" comes from the world. It is not spiritual. It is from the devil. Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good things for other people. This wisdom is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the good things that come from right living.

Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you truly obey the law of Christ. If a person thinks that he is important when he is really not important, he is only fooling himself. A person should not compare himself with other people. Each person should judge his own actions. Then he can be proud for what he himself has done. Each person must accept his own responsibility.

You cannot judge another person's servant. His own master decides if he is doing right or wrong. And the Lord's servant will be right, because the Lord is able to make him right.