Welcome to this daily encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I'm Kirsten Holmberg and I called today's meditation Serving with Love.

When Crystal first started work at a Virginia coffee shop, she served a customer named Ibi. Because Ibi is hearing

impaired, he placed his order using a typed note on his phone. After Crystal learned Iby was a regular

customer, she determined to serve him better by learning enough American sign language so he could place his order without writing it down.

In a small way, Crystal showed Iby the kind of love and service Peter encourages us all to offer one another.

In his letter to believers in Jesus, who had been scattered and exiled,

the Apostle indicates that they ought to love each other deeply and use their gifts to serve others.

Whatever skills and abilities he's equipped us with are gifts we can use to benefit others.

As we do, our words and actions can bring honor to God.

Peter's words were especially important to those he wrote to, for they were experiencing

a season of pain and isolation.

He encouraged them to serve one another during the time of distress to help them bear up

under their trials. Though we may not know the specific pain another person experiences,

God can help us to show empathy, as well as to graciously and cheerfully serve one another with our words, resources, and abilities. May God

help us serve others as a reflection of his love.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from 1 Peter chapter 4,

verses 7 through 11.

The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober minds so that you may pray.

Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

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