Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- August 29, 2012
“The fruit of the Spirit is kindness…” Galatians 5:22a
For the Christian kindness comes from the Holy Spirit’s inner work of compassion that expresses itself in outward deeds. Random acts of kindness are divine encounters wrought to illustrate the kindness of God. Kindness is more than being nice; it is discerning another’s point of pain, and with Spirit led sensitivity, brings them relief. A kind action may come in the form of a gift, a word of wisdom, a verbal prayer, an introduction or an affirmation.
Because of God’s great kindness He gave His son Jesus to save sinners and to grow saints. And for all who believe, He grants a seat to sit at His table as an adopted child of God. Yes, we are sons and daughters of the most High! What a privilege to have access to our heavenly Father’s vast resources of grace, wisdom, love, forgiveness and holiness. His kindness leads us to repentance, guides us in character growth and graduates us to heaven.
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5
Have you been wronged? If so, consider an act of kindness in response. Extend gentleness in the face of harshness. Give authentic affirmation to someone weighted down by disappointment. Ask how your server is doing and leave them a generous gratuity. Validate your friend’s feelings without prescribing solutions. Open your home to those who need a safe and secure environment. Kindness comes from feeling accepted. Not everyone will affirm your kindness; some will use you—so react kindly to the unkind.
Be kind to your spouse who may be in the middle of an emotional melt down. Be kind to your child who made a foolish decision. Be kind to those whose political views are opposite of yours. Be kind to a work associate who is not pulling his or her weight. Be kind to the unkind, the handicapped, the elderly, the uneducated and the immigrant. Kindness heals and gives hope. Most of all, your kindness is an invitation to the kindness of God!
“The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” 2 Samuel 9:3
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your loving kindness toward me and use the Spirit’s kindness in my heart to bring people to You.
Related Scriptures: Ezra 9:9; Hosea 11:3-4; Acts 4:9; 28:2; Romans 2:4; 11:22
Post/Tweet this today: Kindness validates a friend’s feelings without prescribing solutions. #kindness #feelings
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This spoke to me this morning , for I have been struggling with how to deal with a co-worker who is not pulling their weight , but makes it appear that they are to management. Thank you Jesus!
Thank you, Boyd, for reminding us of the extraordinary opportunities available in each moment of the day, to extend the kindness that precludes logic or reason. We give because we have first received. I have noticed that simple “courtesy” seems to have slipped from our culture’s values over the decades. The spiritual fruit of kindness is so much more than an unwritten expectation of “courtesy”; but I believe they can go hand-in-hand to move our society to a “higher”, more blessed place.
I agree with the “Tweet” to an extent. Yes if they are having a lousy day and just want some sympathy. Frequently I prefer to have someone commiserate with me. But the other day I had a friend complain about her husband buying useless junk and then complaining that they had to cut down on spending. Having taken the Dave Ramsey class & knowing how much it helped us, I couldn’t NOT share when it could ultimately help their marriage. So I believe kindness is more relevant when allowing the Holy Spirit guide us to know when to offer our sympathy and when to offer a solution.
I have been blessed so many times with this devotional. We serve a on time God. This summer our daughter totally disrespected her dad and I. It is a hurt that only time has been able to help heal. I have been struggling to reach out to her. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
Thank you that’ts precisely what i thought in sunday chool the frui of the spirit please pray for me. than you.Ana
Dear Diane ~ Your response touched my heart after I read Boyd’s teaching on Kindness. Thank you for your insightful answer and for putting into words the feelings I have in my heart.
Blessings ~ Michele
I would like to see people practice kindness taught by Jesus himself in place of bullying. Our world is becoming a meaner place to live every day because people have forgotten to practice what Jesus Christ has taught all along. Kindness. Dear God please help people see that the only way to be truly kind to one another is through your son Jesus. We can only practice kindness when we have been infused by your love and have only kindness to give back.
WOW is all that i can say to these devotionals!!! They are soooo awesome. They really do hit home for me…