The "Peanuts" comic strip created as many questions as it did smiles. On one occasion Lucy and Charlie Brown were having a serious conversation about the meaning of life.

With a furrow on her brow Lucy asked Charlie, “Why were we put on earth?”

In his own simple way, Charlie responded, “To make others happy!”

“I don’t think I’m making anyone very happy,” confessed Lucy, “and nobody is making me very happy, either!”

After a moment she shouted, “Somebody’s not doing their job!”

Making others happy is not a primary responsibility of the Christian. But Peter does give us some good advice about our responsibilities and what we are to do to help others.

First we are to show sympathy – by being attentive to and meeting their needs. Secondly, we are to show love – treating others with the same kindness that we would show a brother or sister. Thirdly, we are to show tenderheartedness – to be sensitive and caring. Finally – we are to be humble – to put others first and be a source of encouragement.

Prayer: We pray, Lord, that we will willingly accept our responsibilities to others and do our very best to minister to their needs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; (Read more…)

In 1959 the English and French were at war in colonial Canada. Admiral Phipps was in charge of the British fleet. He was ordered to anchor outside of the city of Quebec on the Saint Lawrence River. He was to await the arrival of the British infantry and then assist the land forces in the attack.

The admiral was known to be a nonconformist and became annoyed at all of the statues of the saints that adorned the roof and towers of the Catholic church. To pass the time he began shooting at the saints with the guns that were aboard his ship. Finally, when the infantry arrived and the signal was given for the attack, Admiral Phipps was out of ammunition and he could not participate in the battle. He used all of his ammunition shooting out the saints.

Peter wrote about “shooting out the saints” when he said, “Finally…live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.”

So often we church members waste our time and energy fighting among ourselves over the insignificant and trivial. We would rather destroy those who differ with us than to build up and encourage each other to become Christlike. We must focus on fighting the enemy – Satan.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to recognize who the real enemy is and direct our attack at him and his forces who would destroy us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Peter 3:8-9