The Golden Nugget: “No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.” —Julia Child

Daily Verse: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” —Jesus, John 15:15–16

Daily Message: 
The essence of God’s story with us is that you are the crown jewel of his creation. He loves you more than you can imagine. But we have a hard time responding with love to God. We have had to learn how to “be” with God just as we have had to learn to read, write, play, debate, lie, find tax loopholes, text while driving, and take good selfies.

We put God in distant places, responding to him as if he were a heavenly hammer or a cosmic critic. But God traverses the chasm between our limited understanding and his incredible desire to be in a loving relationship. He does so by teaching us how to love. His love is the kind that is willing to give up life itself for the beloved—us! Knowing we would make mistakes, God leads us to taste and see how good he is for us by encouraging us to practice the same love. It’s the love that transcends the relationship of master–servant to create a relationship of friendship. It’s the best type of experiential learning.

Consider This:

• What keeps you from feeling like you’re the crown jewel of God’s creation?
• What is the best thing that you have learned about God recently?

Take Action:
Learn a little more about practicing God’s love by saying a positive thing to everyone with whom you speak for the next twenty-four hours, even if it doesn’t come up naturally in the conversation.