I pray you’ll join us and learn new and exciting things too from His Word.
This Week We're Looking at Kindness
Kindness is “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate," according to an online dictionary. BibleGateway defines kindness as “The quality of compassion and generosity, characteristic of God’s dealings towards the weak and poor, and demanded of believers. The kindness is also shown in the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.”
Yes. Jesus is the ultimate example of kindness in action. If we were to measure our capacity for kindness, the standard would be Jesus Himself.
If I were to take a moment and grade myself for my level of acts of kindness in my own home over the past few months, I would have to bow my head in shame at the result. Why is it so hard to show kindness to the people closest to us? To the people who need it most? To the ones we’re trying to teach? “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 21:36
The critical words, the harsh tone of voice, the condescending gaze. My kids have gotten a lot of that lately, to my own disappointment. Kindness has been missing in my home. How about yours?
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4
It’s time to get back to basics. It’s time for a heart check. Love is kind. I tell my children that I love them every day. and I mean it! I’m dedicated to them. However, practicing true kindness has been virtually absent from my behavior.
The other evening, we were having family devotions and we talked about how God has shown such kindness towards us in forgiving all of our sin, so we should forgive one another as well. Kindness is a powerful tool we can use when seeking to show others about the love of God. “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:35
We need to show kindness to everyone we come in contact with. Tensions have been high in the world lately and we can see the aggression, violence, and disregard for the needs of others in very obvious ways. What a great opportunity for us to demonstrate the love and compassion of God!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of kindness, wouldn’t you agree? We’ve got to allow the Gospel to penetrate and soften our hearts once again and stand in awe of the kindness that God has shown us in Christ. Let it overwhelm us. Then, we’ll be able to really love those around us. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
My kids need me to be kind and compassionate to them. They need to sense the tenderness in my tone of voice. They need to see me smile and laugh so that they know that all is well and that there is meaning behind the I love yous I tell them every day.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
I need to clothe myself with kindness. We all do! Kindness means we practice selflessness. It means we are keenly aware of the frailty of others, even if they have a rough exterior.
Most people wander the world with broken hearts, and we have within our hands the salve which mends and heals.
The ABCs of God's Love Letter Scripture Memory Cards
The ABCs of God's Love Letter Bible Study is accompanied by a collection of 25 5 X 5 Scripture Memory Cards. We'll utilize this great tool to help us memorize a Scripture verse once a week that goes with the topic we're studying that week. Hiding God's Word in our heart is so important!
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What does Kindness mean to you?
16 Comments
10/20/2020 09:29:16 am
Thanks for these reminders. I've been convicted about lacking in kindness often in my life. It's so easy to let tension or tiredness quench kind expressions. But I remind myself that's not an excuse--just an indication I need to rely on God's grace all the more. Thinking of the kindness God has shown to me helps me show kindness to others.
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Beautifully written words that speak truth in this area of kindness. I know for me, the more I live in a way that my heart remains "undone" in awe of God's grace, love, gentleness, kindness, etc., my spirit is more tender to others and compassion in action will more freely flow. But if I step away from that place, kindness is much harder to display. Great reminder for me today, Summer!
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10/20/2020 12:39:51 pm
Thank you, Summer! Yes, let's wear our kindness at home first!
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10/20/2020 02:21:23 pm
"Kindness is a powerful tool we can use when seeking to show others about the love of God." Thank you for sharing this. This sentence spoke so deeply to me. We show the love of God when we are being kind even to those we deem undeserving of it.
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10/21/2020 10:14:29 am
Thank you for this reminder to show kindness to everyone we come in contact with. With so much tension in the world, I think more kindness reminders are needed.
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10/21/2020 12:14:58 pm
Something our world could use a whole lot more of. Thank you.
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My Aunt passed away and we had a memorial service for her last Friday. She was 93 and had friends off all ages attend her service. The word I kept hearing repeated was "Kindness."
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