This
Week’s Memory Verse:
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of
fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these
things! Galatians 5:22-23
Fruits of
kindness and patience.
There are so
many verses in the Bible about God’s kindness. He is full of kindness—and it is
overflowing onto us. I picture Him with a kind and gentle face—welcoming us
into His forever home—a place that we don’t deserve to be…but a place to which
Jesus has opened the door.
The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is
filled with kindness. Psalm 145:17
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| God is a fountain of kindness and patience. He showers us with blessings. Fountain at Manito Park Spokane, Washington |
He has showered his kindness on us, along
with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:8
Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares
that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from
the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:24
So God can point to us in all future ages as
examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us,
as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7
Kindness
needs to be a quality for which we strive…or at least desire. Once again, it is
given as a gift—but if you want it…ask for it.
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.
If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take
the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to
others, do it gladly. Romans 12:8
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie
them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Proverbs 3:3
Patience. The
classic comment from most Christians is…Don’t pray for patience unless you are
ready to accept challenges. Parenting brings lots of challenges on its own—just
dealing with the upbringing of strong-willed children. Similar confrontations
occurs in some business situations—dealing with people just gives opportunities
for conflicts, disputes and personal oppositions. Patience is a real virtue.
Someone remarked to me once that I had a lot of patience. Yah. Sure. It came
from challenges in parenting. I found
that it was easier to choose my battles and to be patient even amid frustrating
confrontations. That appeared to be seen as patience. OK. Patience can take the form of conflict resolution. Consider
it is only the patience of God towards humankind that allows this world to keep
going. He has been so patient with us. Mankind has been so terrible towards God
throughout history…but He keeps on patiently waiting for people to come to Him…to
believe and to repent of their sins. When will we ever learn? Time will run out
someday for everyone.
Prayer
~ May God, who kindly gives patience and encouragement, help each of us to live
in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ
Jesus. Romans 15:5 .
Thank
You, God, for giving Your one and only Son and for the opportunity for everyone
in the world—throughout all time—to believe in Him. I humbly look forward to
seeing You in Heaven someday…and for now, help me to tell others Your good
news. Open the eyes and ears of more people today that both Jews and Gentiles
would understand that Jesus is the Messiah of all. It is Your patience towards
everyone that will allow more people to be saved. Glory be to the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit.
Daily
Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 7-12
© 2019 Text and
photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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