God
showed his kindness to us through Jesus (Eph. 2:7) and we need to imitate his
example. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). The meaning of
the Greek word in both verses is really the practical expression of goodness,
particularly in the face of difficult people.
In Ephesians
4:32 (KJV) the apostle Paul taught us that we should: “be ye kind one to
another" and in Colossians 3:12 he was more emphatic writing that we
should: "put on…. kindness”. In the
familiar love passage of the new Testament (1 Cor 13): we see that kindness is one
of the attributes of God’s unconditional love (V4).
A
different Greek word for kindness is used in Acts 28:2: "the barbarous
people shewed us no little kindness". The word used here denotes more of a
loving kindness toward people. So, when we talk about kindness, we think of
doing good things to help others as in Gal. 6:10: "do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith".
Sometimes
kindness comes naturally to us but at other times we have to be intentional
about it; it’s so easy to become consumed with our own problems and busyness
and not notice what others are going through. Look out for opportunities to be
a blessing to people today and have fun doing it.
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“For the which cause I also suffer these
things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against
that day” (2 Tim; 1:12 KJV).
In
this verse Paul talks of his faith; he said he believed and was fully
persuaded. He was persuaded that God could keep him until Christ’s return in
the face of all the persecution and hardship he encountered (2 Cor 11:21-33).
Paul was persecuted, beaten, stoned, almost drowned, weary, hungry, cold, and
burdened by the concerns for the church but he could say that God delivered him
from everything (2 Tim 3:11).
Going
back to our text from 2 Timothy above, notice that Paul said I know whom I have
believed and that he (God) can keep me. So often our focus is on building our
faith for something (e.g. healing) and that is good, we need to do that; but
first and foremost, we need to know and trust our God. This means we must know his
nature and character.
“God
is love” (1 John 4:8), his promises are yes and amen (2 Cor 1:20), he is
faithful (1 Cor 1:9) and never changes (Mal 3:6). Nothing is too difficult for
God (Luke 1:37); he is our shield and our: “exceedingly great reward” (Gen 15:1).
His word is truth and the truth will set you free (John 17:17; John 8:32).
This
is just a glimpse of our God; search the word and get to know your awesome all-powerful
God.
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
Before he started his ministry, Jesus fasted
for 40 days and then he was immediately tempted by the devil (Matt 4:1-11).
Satan appealed to Jesus’ physical hunger by tempting him to turn stones into
bread. Jesus refused this temptation even though he must have been hungry. He
countered this and each of the 3 temptations that the devil brought him, with
the word of God.
In
the second temptation satan tried to appeal to human vanity, suggesting that as
Jesus was God’s son, he could throw himself off of the temple and God would
rescue him. Again, Jesus countered with the word: “Thou shalt not tempt the
Lord thy God” (Matt 4:7; KJV). Finally, satan appealed to the lust for power
and prestige, offering Jesus authority over all the world if he would worship
him (satan). But even at a time of physical weakness, Jesus was rock solid;
quoting the word that man should serve and worship only God.
What
can we learn from all of this? Well, Jesus was totally obedient to his heavenly
Father. Satan will try to attack and tempt us to sin in our weakest moments and
in the weakest areas of our lives. How do we put satan in his place? As he lies
to us, we counter with the truth of the word. If he tries to talk you out of healing,
through thoughts or people, speak those Bible verses on healing.
Jesus
defeated satan at the cross and took all power and authority from him (Matt
28:18; Heb 2:14). As Christians we walk in Christ’s victory (1 Cor 15:57). Satan
will try to test our resolve but we have to assert our victory by speaking the word.
There is power in the word (Heb 4:12).
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
Money can do funny things to people. The word
has much to say about money and prosperity and its place in our lives. God
wants to prosper us, to provide all of our need: “But my God shall supply all your
need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19; KJV). Notice
that the apostle Paul wrote: “according to his riches”, or by his standard; I
like that.
However,
God wants us to seek him not the blessings; as we seek him, God blesses us
(Matt 6:33). So often we can: “ask amiss” (James 4:3), asking out of purely
selfish desires; God can’t answer those kinds of prayers. Paul tells us not to
trust in riches but to trust God (1 Tim 6:17). Again, he says: “For the love of money is the
root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10).
That
focus on money can keep people from entering the kingdom of God (Mark
10:23-25); can so distract them that it blinds them to the word of God (Matt
13:22). We are not to pursue riches (1 Tim 6:9) but to pursue God. Be content
with what you have (1 Tim 6:8) but look to God; he will bless you beyond all
you can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20).
Why
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
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others.
As Jesus
died on the cross the veil in the temple was torn by God from top to bottom (Matt
27:51), signifying that Christ’s sacrifice opened the way for us to enter into
the very presence of God (Heb 10:19-21).
“In
whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him” (Eph 3:12;
KJV). Isn’t it amazing that because of what Jesus did for us on the cross we
can come boldly and have free access to God? We find this again in Hebrews 4:16
where we read: "let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace." The use of the present
tense there means we can draw near at any and every time.
Why
can we be so bold? It is because we are the: "righteousness of God in him"
(2 Cor 5:21) which means we have right standing with God because Jesus paid the
price for our sin, praise God.
So,
make the most of this privilege today because in the rest of Heb 4:16 we are
promised that when we do boldly draw near, then we find mercy and grace and
help for every need. That sounds like a good deal to me.
Please
send to a friend. All rights reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.