Some Things are Inevitable

I was walking through my neighborhood this morning and was just past this tree when something made me stop and take a step back.

As you can see from the picture this tree has already lost more than half of its leaves. But it seemed to me that this poor tree was fighting with everything to hold on to what was left, trying to prevent the inevitable even as one leaf after another broke away and fell to the ground as I watched.

And a thought came to mind, this is how we must look in GOD’s eyes in our foolish and prideful struggles to hold on to things that are useless and dead rather than yield to His will and plan to give us the Kingdom.  

Thank GOD, our Father knows who belong to Him and Whose will prevails in the end. So, He waits patiently, knowing that it’s only a matter of time before we wear ourselves out, come to our senses like the prodigals we are, let go of the rot and accept our divine fate.

Then, GOD will be right there waiting to take us into His season of rest, restoration and renewal – just as will happen with this tree.

The Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you… Isaiah 30:18

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back this Sunday!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, YOU wait to give us the Kingdom because it pleases YOU to do so, for YOUR Name and YOUR glory. We give thanks to YOU who have all dominion and power for ever and ever. In JESUS Name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

GOD’s People Are Kind

“One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness, it usually comes back to you.” Anonymous

The Bible from Genesis through Revelation reveal all aspects of the divine character of GOD.  We learn that GOD is awe-inspiring in His sovereignty and majesty (1 Chronicles 29:11) but we learn also that GOD is tender and generous in His kindness (Isaiah 63:7.)

GOD is kind not just to those who love Him but to the ungrateful and evil (Luke 6:35. All whom He created benefits from GOD’s kindness, (For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45;) but GOD is especially kind to those who have relationship and kinship with Him through His SON.

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8

“…you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

We are only children of GOD who are born of GOD. As we exhibit the character traits of our birth parents, we who are His children must also reflect the character of our heavenly Father. GOD is kind so we must practice kindness also, especially to others in His family (Galatians 6:10.) 

Our kindness to each other pleases GOD. But here’s the hard part, GOD wants us to be kind to our enemies as well (Luke 6:27-28.) This can be a difficult pill for us to swallow but those who belong to GOD must obey GOD and not act on our feelings. We must please the Spirit who lives in us and not our flesh. For those who are led by the Spirit of GOD are the children of GOD (Romans 8: 14.)

And kindness is a fruit of the Spirit with no restrictions.

Be kind even if you think it’s undeserved.  

God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. Titus 3:4-5

We received kindness from GOD that we didn’t deserve.

GOD sent His One and Only SON to the cross for undeserving, unrepentant sinners like you and me. (While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8) We don’t get to decide who’s deserving and who’s not. GOD alone is judge. We get to exercise the privilege of obeying GOD’s law which says be kind to others – without limits, or fanfare, or expectation of return, and to whomever needs it; and do it out of love. (Ephesians 4:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4)

Kindness is a virtue every child of GOD must desire to live by:

• We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 2 Corinthians 6:6
• The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness… Galatians 5:22
• Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Colossians 3:12
• A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, …and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:24
• Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 
• Kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. Philemon 1:7

Christian author and Pastor J. R. Miller (1840 – 1912) wrote in his essay, The Splendor of Kindness:

Kindness has been called the small coin of love. The word is generally used to designate the little deeds of thoughtfulness and gentleness which make no noise in the world — rather than the large heroic acts which all men note and applaud. One may live many years and never have the opportunity of doing any great thing — but one may always be kind, filling all one’s day with gentle attentions, helpful ministries, little services of interest and sympathy, and small courtesies….Kindness as a rule, is done unconsciously without preparation, without thought. This enhances its beauty. There is no self-seeking in it, no thought of reward of any kind. It is done in simplicity, prompted by love, and is most pleasing to CHRIST.

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O GOD! Psalm 36:7

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Loving Father, YOU are the essence and source of kindness. Forgive us when we fall short of living out the virtue of kindness and help us to reflect more of YOUR character in our daily lives and less of selfishness and pride. Thank YOU for giving to us undeserved kindness that leads us to repentance and new life in CHRIST. To YOU belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of our Savior and LORD, CHRIST JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile