Daily Devotional For Saturday, April 20, 2024
Well, it is super Saturday and I pray your weekend is off to a great start. We live in the most blessed nation today. The rights guaranteed by our Constitution give us freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to vote and etc. Living in such a blessed nation you would think more people and even Christians would be more kind to each other.
The Bible says this in James 1:17, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (NLT). God says through James that everything good in our lives is from God. Being so blessed, you would not know it to hear so many people, including Christians, complaining and whining. We tend to focus on what we do not have or want rather than on all the good God has given us. I would encourage all of us to focus more on God, who God is and what He has and continues to do for us.
The Bible says in Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without complaining . . .” (NLT). The Bible says in Proverbs 11:17, “A man who is kind benefits himself . . .” (ESV). Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (ESV). God has delivered us from sin due to His death on the cross and His Resurrection from the grave. He has given us eternal salvation. He has promised us an abundant life and to our prayers that are in sync with His will. I believe God continues to deliver us things we probably may never know He has.
There may be even incidents we do not know God has literally saved our physical lives. There may be times he steered us away from possible diseases we might have succumb to but didn’t. Every material possession you have is by the hand of God. Do we deserve any of this? No. It is all because God is kind and expects us to be kind as well. God’s kindness is something that we can never fully measure nor understand nor anticipate. This is why it is important that we live and “walk by the Spirit” as Galatians 5:16 says.
When we do that, then the Holy Spirit produces in us what is called “The Fruit of the Spirit” which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.” Notice kindness is not a human act, but a fruit produced by the Holy Spirit. It is God’s nature to be kind to us. When we contemplate all the kindness God blesses us with and all the suffering He has spared us from, we would see just how kind God is and thank Him for being so loving, never changing and giving to us.
Read these words by Christian pastor and author Craig Groeschel:
It's amazing what a difference the little things will make. For example, years ago when I was a new believer, I always wore a tiny cross pin on my shirts. Because they were an inexpensive way to witness, I'd purchase a dozen or so at a time. Every time someone commented on mine, I'd give it to them as a gift. Once in a 7-11 convenience store, the female clerk complimented my cross pin. Instinctively I offered it to her. For several moments she tried to refuse, finally reluctantly accepting the small gift.
Years went by, and I'd almost forgotten about the 7-11 woman. After church one week, a woman stopped me in the lobby and said she had to thank me. Trembling as she spoke, she explained, "You probably don't remember me, but years ago you gave me this." She reached into her purse and pulled out the small cross pin. "When you offered me this cross, my life couldn't have been any worse. I didn't feel worthy of such a generous gift. But God showed me that he still loved me. My life is different today because of what you did for me.” What I did was almost nothing. But to someone else it meant almost everything” (Source: Craig Groeschel, The Christian Atheist, p. 210).
It is amazing how kind God is and how God uses kindness by us to bring people to Christ. Read the following quotes on kindness:
- “When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world” — Harold Kushner.
- “Always be a little kinder than necessary” — James M. Barrie.
- “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” — Aesop.
- “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun make ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate” — Albert Schweitzer.
Questions To Consider
- Would people say you are kind in your words, actions, attitudes and reactions when you are challenged, corrected or confronted?
- Do you regularly affirm that everything good in your life is from a kind God?
- Who do you know today or the next few days you could be kind to even though they do not deserve it?
Scripture To Meditate On: Proverbs 21:21, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor” (ESV).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, You are so kind to me, especially when I do not even know or are aware of all the ways and times. Everything good in my life is by Your kindness.. Lord, when I get angry, I can forget to be kind. Help me to treat others consistently as You treat me — with kindness. I thank You and praise You. Thank You for protecting and providing for me. I am grateful for Your kindness, mercy, and patience. Forgive me for when I disrespectfully grumble. You watch over my life with great love. My trust is in You, and I am thankful for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! — Pastor Kelly