Are we ready to take God seriously?
God’s plan for us is plain, clear and simple. God challenges us to love, do justice, be kind and be …
Tag Archives: Kindness
Is kindness shown by God’s people?
First Corinthians 13 stands as one of the most famous chapters in the Bible. The subject is love, and many …
Do we desperately need more kindness in our lives?
I desperately need more kindness and compassion in my life. I need to judge less and love more. That is …
What models do we have for how to be patient?
Who is our model for patience? God is patient, and His Spirit produces the fruit of patience in us. When we …
How does God show His kindness?
I want the quality of compassion and generosity in my life. I need to learn how God loves the weak …
Does God show kindness to all, evil and good?
In Galatians 5:22 we learn that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 …
“In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.” ~Apostle Paul
You have a passion for Jesus. You want to do the right thing for His disciples. You believe in a …
“The kindness of God leads you to radically change how you think (aka repentance).” ~Apostle Paul
When I exhibit the kindness of God, I am tender, benevolent, and useful to others. Every action, every word will …
What is the point in being kind?
God’s goal for me is to be kind, thoughtful and caring. I am to love. That is the main thing …
“Friend, do what you have come for.” ~Jesus to Judas
Jesus personally selected Judas to be a disciple. Jesus taught Him just like all the others. Jesus made him “treasurer” …
Do I mistakenly think God won’t see what I am doing and come down hard on me?
It is a distraction game. It is classic but I see it happening. I do it sometimes as well. I …
“Have an attitude of humility being neither arrogant nor self-righteous regard others as more important than yourselves.” ~Apostle Paul
God calls on me to respect others, placing them as more important than I am. Jesus is very clear about …
“You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.” ~Jesus
Jesus is the true source of everything I am or have. Jesus is the real vine. My role is to …
“Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus shows me how to love and be kind. Jesus commands me to love. God wants me to be kind, …
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Master forgave you, so also should you.” ~Apostle Paul
True love is forgiving: God loves me so He forgives me for missing His goal (aka sin) for my life. …
Kindness — Is failure to acknowledge God’s kindness missing God’s goal (aka sin)?
When I exhibit the kindness of God, I am tender, benevolent, and useful to others. Every action, every word …
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” ~Jesus
In some circles, the end game is to be saved. Now that is important but it is not the end …
Does lack of self examination lead to pride and self-delusion?
There was a problem among the early group of disciples in Corinth. It still continues among believers today. I need …
Peace — Is it through the ministry of Jesus?
We are born at war. At birth, my sinful nature has already declared war on God and His truth. My …
“When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us.” ~Apostle Paul
God showed His infinite kindness to me. God sent His Son Jesus to die for me. Surely I can, by …
Loyalty — Why does God show His loyalty to us?
God is loyal. God is faithful. That is just who God is. It is His very nature. When God says …
How do I find grace and mercy in my life?
I don’t deserve God’s grace. In fact, that is what it means. It is a gift to me from Jesus …
“Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one?” ~King Solomon
Where is the loyalty? Where is the love? Doesn’t anyone care? God is loyal and God is loving. I can …
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” ~Jesus
Jesus wants me to love. Jesus wants me to do good. Jesus wants me to not expect anything in return …
Poverty — The treatment of the poor — Are they to be neglected?
In both the Old and New Testaments, we see God’s desire for His children to show compassion to the poor …
“For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Master of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth.” ~Isaiah
Without faithfulness to God there can be no discipleship life. Following Jesus is based first on faith that God is, …
“Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.” ~Matthew about Jesus
This is striking. The first thing to note here is that Jesus saw the people. He didn’t look past them. …
What is the outcome of hoping in God? Will it bring security and confidence?
Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in “I hope something will happen.” I have been guilty of thinking …
God is Good — How is it shown?
Ultimately, God’s goodness is seen in His plan to redeem me from missing His goal (aka sin). The gospel is …
“I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” ~Apostle Paul
Self-control is an issue of my heart. I must not be wishy-washy in my resolve. I must excerpt control of my …
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” ~Jesus
It starts with faith. I need to get clear with my faith in Jesus. When peace leaves me, I need to …
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to change your mind?” ~Apostle Paul
I should be patient, even as Jesus is patient. Naturally, in and of myself, I am not. God’s kindness is …
Respect — It leads to Godly living
The apostle Peter summarizes the Bible’s teaching on respect in his first Epistle. My mission is clear. Show proper respect …
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~Jesus
What does the gentleness of Jesus the Messiah look like? Jesus gave us the perfect picture of gentleness: “See, your …
Tenderness — A Mark of a Disciple’s Behavior
Jesus shows me how to love and be kind. Jesus commands me to love. God wants me to be kind, …
Forgiveness — True Love is Forgiving
I miss God’s goal (aka sin). There is a penalty for that. Unless … I am forgiven. So there is …
“For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us.” ~Ezra
I want the quality of compassion and generosity in my life. I need to learn how God loves the weak and poor. It is …
Discipleship – Joy is a Benefit and Results from Being a Disciple
Joy is closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a …
“Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near.” ~Apostle Paul
Prophecies of peace are fulfilled in the coming of Jesus the Messiah. Peace is real. Jesus wants me to experience peace. …
“Keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” ~Apostle Peter
The Holy Spirit brings joy to believers, giving us an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external …
Kindness — It’s Demonstrated in the Good News of Jesus the Messiah
I desperately need more kindness and compassion in my life. I need to judge less and love more. That is …
Compassion — A Vital Character Requirement in the Followers of Jesus
Compassion is an attitude of care and concern, grounded in pity and sympathy towards others, given to me by Jesus. …
“Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to change you mind?” ~Apostle Paul
What is my attitude? How should I act? What do I think God has in store for me? Jesus calls …
Goodness — Good Works will be Rewarded
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the “fruit of the Spirit”. “Fruit,” here, means “beneficial results,” the good things that come …
Faithfulness — It is Seen to God as Marital Fidelity
Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people; seen in a steadfast commitment which reflects God’s own …
“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” ~Jesus
Jesus is beginning to wrap up His manifesto. Jesus changed his brief metaphor from sheep and wolves to trees and …
Peace — We Find it in the Teachings of Jesus the Messiah
The Apostle Paul alerts me that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, …
Patience — God is our Model for Patience
Who is my model for patience? God is patient, and His Spirit produces the fruit of patience in me. When I …
Gentleness — The Gentleness of Jesus the Messiah
I wander off. I am wayward. I drift. It happens. It happens to others I know. What is my attitude? …
Goodness – Good Works are a Characteristic of God
Goodness and good works are acts designed specifically to benefit others, which are characteristic of God. I can be good …
Love — It Comes from the Holy Spirit. It is a Gift and it is a Fruit.
Where does love come from? Love comes from the Holy Spirit. It is a gift. It is fruit that grows …
25 Mother Teresa Quotes about Living a Life of Purpose
A Nobel peace laureate, Mother Teresa (1910–1997) was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary. For much of her life, Mother …
“This is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive!” ~Jesus
There is good news, for all of us. Jesus has a heart for the lost and those who have missed …
Faithfulness — The Proper Response to God by His Covenant People
Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people. It is seen in a steadfast commitment which reflects …
“If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues the Manifesto. Jesus is teaching me how to pray. After the model prayer, Jesus emphasizes the importance of …
Sanctification — It is the Work of the Holy Spirit
I avoid some things because they sound very geeky and smack of theology. Jesus talks about sanctification. Maybe I need …
Self-control — It Affects the Whole Person Including Physical Self-control
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is physical and emotional self-mastery, particularly in situations of intense provocation or temptation. It …
God’s Goal — To Live with His People
God has goals in mind. He will accomplish them. When I miss God’s goal, that is known as sin. I …
Kindness — God shows it to His people
I want the quality of compassion and generosity in my life. I need to learn how God loves the weak …
“A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.” ~King Solomon
I have seen it way too often. Something that starts simple escalates. It turns into all out war. My drive …
Peace — These Prophecies of Peace are Fulfilled in the Coming of Jesus the Messiah
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there …
Joy — Disciples Have it Even in the Face of Opposition
Do disciples have joy even in the face of opposition? Absolutely we do. Jesus is kind and thoughtful. I know …
Justice — Is justice declared through God the Father?
Is God fair? Yes. God’s justice is without any partiality. I can trust God completely. Being just Himself, God calls …
“The Master is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?” ~King David
I have a number of things I am afraid of. God is God and Jesus is working with me to …
Gentleness – In Dealing with the Wayward
I wander off. I am wayward. I drift. It happens. It happens to others I know. What is my attitude? …
Goodness — God is pleased with the good works of his people
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer it …
Faithfulness — Is seen as steadfast commitment to God in unwavering devotion
Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people; seen in a steadfast commitment which reflects God’s own …
Self-control — The mark of a wise person and aspect of a disciples character
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is physical and emotional self-mastery, particularly in situations of intense provocation or temptation. …
Kindness — God shows kindness to all, evil and good.
In Galatians 5:22 we learn that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 …
Peace — Through the Father’s provision for the believer
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there …
Patience — Jesus the Messiah’s patience brings about God’s salvation
Jesus the Messiah supremely displays God’s patient character in his work of salvation. The patience of Jesus the Messiah is …
Gentleness — In showing consideration to all
Gentleness is an expression of compassion, seen in God’s dealings with the frail and weak, and expected of believers in …
God is good — God demonstrates His goodness in His actions!
God not only is good but more importantly, God does good. God acts on His goodness and demonstrates it to …
“Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.” ~King David
This translation is from The Message. We all recognize Psalm 23. The traditional translation of verse 6 is “Surely goodness and …
Goodness — God’s people are called on to do good works
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer …
Is faithfulness encouragement to be trustworthy?
I am called to be faithful and trustworthy. I am challenged by this some days. When I think about it …
Hope — Does God command it?
Dante passes through the gate of Hell, which bears an inscription ending with the famous phrase “Lasciate ogne speranza, voi …
Self-control — A discipline that is hiding along with the other fruits of the Spirit of God
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is physical and emotional self-mastery, particularly in situations of intense provocation or …
Kindness — The kindness of Jesus the Messiah
I desperately need more kindness and compassion in my life. I need to judge less and love more. That is …
“Happy are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” ~Jesus
Jesus is a kind, loving King. Jesus is not angry with me. Jesus wants me to be kind and gentle. …
Gentleness — A mark and part of the character of a follower of Jesus
Gentleness is a mark and a part of the character of a follower of Jesus. We know from Galatians 5:22 …
“Peace be with you!” ~Jesus
Here we are. It is “Resurrection Sunday”. I’m celebrating the resurrection of Jesus not bunnies and chocolate candy. That’s just …
“Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” ~Jesus to Peter
Judas betrays Jesus. Peter and the others deny they know Jesus. Nobody is with Jesus at the end. I am …
“What are you willing to give me if I deliver Jesus over to you?” ~Judas
According to the traditional interpretation of the Bible, Holy Wednesday is the day on which Jesus was anointed with spikenard during a …
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” ~ God
What should followers of Jesus think about justice and the social justice movement? “If we take the Bible seriously then …
God is Good – Would that explain why God is in a good mood and does good? God is good y’all!
All God’s perfect qualities are made freely available to all for the benefit of the whole world. God is good. …
Hypocrisy – What it is, why it is evil and hated by Jesus
Hypocrisy is an outward pretense masking an inner reality. Jesus condemns hypocrisy, especially in matters of faith. Followers of Jesus …
“Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible.” ~Apostle John
John nails it, as always. John knows it is all about love. How many times does he remind me? Constantly. …
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ~Jesus
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are …
I am compelled, by Jesus our Master, to drop everything that takes me away from talking and writing about the good news of life of salvation
I am compelled, by Jesus our Master, to drop everything that takes me away from talking and writing about the …
“I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear. There will be a day of judgement. We may prefer to believe it isn’t true but it …
“And be thankful.” ~Apostle Paul
What is important in being thankful? After a long list on how I ought to live, Paul adds “and be …
"When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself." ~~King Solomon
Who do I think I am hurting? Cruelty is intended to hurt someone else. It actually backfires and hurts me. Jesus …
“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.” ~Apostle Paul
It wasn’t that long ago that by missing God’s goal, I wasn’t living a very “smart” life. But God saved me from …
“So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk.” ~Apostle Peter
The culture of this world is full of malice, pretense, envy and hurting others. It can fill my life with …
“I’m so grateful to the Messiah Jesus for making me adequate to do this work.” ~Apostle Paul
Gratitude goes a long way. The Messiah is the one who makes us adequate to do anything. It isn’t about …
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ~Aesop
We are called to be people who are kind. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit, through the sacrifice …
“God does both the making and saving.” ~Apostle Paul
God made us and God saves us. It is all his doing, through his son, the Messiah, Jesus. We have …
“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” ~Apostle Paul
What happens when I live God’s way? (I am pausing here to think on this!!!) Jesus, the Messiah, brings gifts into …
“Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.” ~Apostle Paul
Our God is in an amazing mood. We must celebrate that all day long, every single day. Jesus, the Messiah …
