STANDARD LESSON RESOURCES
DEVOTIONS
SPRING 2026
March 1
Who Poisoned the "Apple"?
"The second [commandment] is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)
Scripture: Mark 12:28-34
Song: "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love"
My laptop had been shutting down for no apparent reason. When the Apple technician on the other end of the line didn't seem to know any more than I did. I got extremely frustrated. And out of that frustration I spoke angry, hurtful words. After the call ended, regret came over me like a tidal wave. So in answer to the question, "Who poisoned the 'Apple'?" I did.
This conviction came because I'd forgotten that all-important command to live my neighbor as myself. If I had been spoken to the way I spoke to her, I would have crumbled. I knew I needed to call this associate back and apologize, though it was the last thing I wanted to do.
But God was persistent. And it was wholly His doing that I was able to even reach that technician again. When I apologized for my unkind words, she was touched . . . and grateful . . . and gracious. She even tried to console me by saying, "Don't worry about it. I've experienced far worse." But frustration is not an excuse to forget to love and respect another person. As the song says, "They'll know we ar Christians by our love" - not by our arrogance.
Father, please help me remember to treat others with the same love You've shown me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
DEVOTIONS
SPRING 2026
March 1
Who Poisoned the "Apple"?
"The second [commandment] is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)
Scripture: Mark 12:28-34
Song: "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love"
My laptop had been shutting down for no apparent reason. When the Apple technician on the other end of the line didn't seem to know any more than I did. I got extremely frustrated. And out of that frustration I spoke angry, hurtful words. After the call ended, regret came over me like a tidal wave. So in answer to the question, "Who poisoned the 'Apple'?" I did.
This conviction came because I'd forgotten that all-important command to live my neighbor as myself. If I had been spoken to the way I spoke to her, I would have crumbled. I knew I needed to call this associate back and apologize, though it was the last thing I wanted to do.
But God was persistent. And it was wholly His doing that I was able to even reach that technician again. When I apologized for my unkind words, she was touched . . . and grateful . . . and gracious. She even tried to console me by saying, "Don't worry about it. I've experienced far worse." But frustration is not an excuse to forget to love and respect another person. As the song says, "They'll know we ar Christians by our love" - not by our arrogance.
Father, please help me remember to treat others with the same love You've shown me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
STANDARD LESSON RESOURCES
DEVOTIONS
SPRING 2026
March 1
Who Poisoned the "Apple"?
"The second [commandment] is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)
Scripture: Mark 12:28-34
Song: "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love"
My laptop had been shutting down for no apparent reason. When the Apple technician on the other end of the line didn't seem to know any more than I did. I got extremely frustrated. And out of that frustration I spoke angry, hurtful words. After the call ended, regret came over me like a tidal wave. So in answer to the question, "Who poisoned the 'Apple'?" I did.
This conviction came because I'd forgotten that all-important command to live my neighbor as myself. If I had been spoken to the way I spoke to her, I would have crumbled. I knew I needed to call this associate back and apologize, though it was the last thing I wanted to do.
But God was persistent. And it was wholly His doing that I was able to even reach that technician again. When I apologized for my unkind words, she was touched . . . and grateful . . . and gracious. She even tried to console me by saying, "Don't worry about it. I've experienced far worse." But frustration is not an excuse to forget to love and respect another person. As the song says, "They'll know we ar Christians by our love" - not by our arrogance.
Father, please help me remember to treat others with the same love You've shown me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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