Today is April 25th.     
   
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.    
   
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
 
Today’s reading is from 1 Peter, chapter 2. 


Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

   
This passage offers us a picture of an exchange: impure, for pure. Evil, for good. Peter makes us think of a newborn infant, being filled up with healthy and whole nutrition that leads to their growth and development. Think for a moment about the past few days: what kinds of things are ‘filling’ you up? What has your attention? What do you watch, or listen to, or scroll past? 
   
Are the things that fill you up things that are leading to your spiritual flourishing? Does what you watch, listen to, or scroll past lead toward spiritual maturity and Christlikeness? Or are you putting your attention in places that stir up things like malice and envy? Let’s listen to this brief scripture one more time… pay attention to the one word or phrase that stands out to you. 

I have a friend who is an amazing cook. When he brings a new snack to our small group, after each bite someone literally says: “oh my gosh, this is SO GOOD!” Have you experienced that, ever? Maybe eating at your favorite restaurant? Or at your grandmom’s house? Peter is using words to remind his listeners that we’ve tasted the goodness of God himself… they’ve experienced it in a real and impactful way. And he’s remind us that we should exchange the darkness, the impurity of the world for the refreshing, revitalizing, and reassuring goodness of God. As we end our time of prayer, plan to take time today to reflect on moments in your spiritual life where you’ve ‘tasted’ the goodness of God. You might even want to journal for a few moments right now about those moments.  

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Music: "We Are Hungry" - Vineyard Soul - (YouTube)