THE
BLESSINGS OF KINDNESS
BREAD
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and
sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways
of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now
at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All
of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful
nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature
objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich
in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in
transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And
God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in
Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the
incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ
Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not
by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:1-9 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8A (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your
mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And
do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling
and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be
kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ
God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)
16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men
gain only wealth. 17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings
trouble on himself. Proverbs 11:16-17
(NIV)
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word
cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he
who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21 (NIV)
3 The king asked, “Is there no one still left of 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 crippled in both feet.” 4 “Where
is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of
Ammiel in Lo Debar.” 5 So
King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of
Ammiel. 6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul,
came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “Your servant,” he replied. 7 “Don't be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will
surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore
to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always
eat at my table.” 8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your
servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” 2 Samuel 9:3-8 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)
BUTTER
“Allow the grace of kindness to pervade your whole
nature, mellowing all that would be harsh or austere. It cost nothing to be kind, yet its benefits
are priceless. And as a child of the
King we are bearers of this pleasant fruit.”
BHY
“Speaking
your mind can’t change anything like speaking kind. The art of living
masters the beauty of both. Warmth draws us like the
wind never does. Look for the warmth in every wind. Rest
in the agelessness of it: Tender kindness
is the truest kind of beauty.” Ann Voskamp
“What
impression do you want to leave with others if the only thing they have to go
on is your countenance, attitude or expression? Sadly, for some of us the
message would be ‘unhappy home,’ ‘mad at the world,’ or ‘depressed and
downtrodden.’ As believers in Christ, we must not live there. Rather, our
lives should reflect whose we are. The Scriptures teach us in Psalm 68:3,
‘...may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and
joyful.’ If you're a child of the King,
then take on an attitude of royalty. Reveal God's presence in your life.
Hold your head high, greet others with genuine hospitality and be careful
to show loving-kindness to all people. By doing these things, you will
become a bold witness for Christ without ever having to open your mouth.” Renee Nail
“Why in the world disdain the small? It’s always the smallest strokes that add up to the greatest masterpieces. Because the thing really is: Do we ever really know which mark we make — that will matter the most? The extraordinary things happen nowhere else but in the everyday and today can always be the beginning: That card you signed and sealed and put in the mail, the way you smiled and nodded to the white-crowned woman bent over the still-green bananas, the way you dug around in the dirt and left that seed or that gift of the knees and that prayer whispered for a stranger or that glass of water you handed to someone and winked because you just knew — You’ve got to remember: we don’t know when and how we are leaving the greatest marks on the world. It all matters. Believe it: Every tremor of kindness might erupt in a miracle on the other side of the world.” Ann Voskamp
“For neither a foul mouth in front of the children, nor any amount of self-loathing, nor an addiction to heroin (or to eating or alcohol or shopping or television or partisan politics or gossip, as the case may be), nor self-destructive decision making, is any match for the kindness and mercy of Christ. Christ is risen, Christ is with us, and Christ is for us. Nothing—not even ourselves—can ever change that fact.” Scott Sauls
“Every act of kindness and compassion done by any man
for his fellow Christian is done by Christ working within him.”
Julian of Norwich
HEART SAVOR
- · Kindness brings blessing both to the giver and the receiver.
- · God was kind to all of us even as dirty rotten scoundrels. And if He was this kind to us, how much more
so should we be to others?
- · Kindness is a Fruit of the Spirit
and every believer in Christ has been given this albeit, some sadly grieve the Holy
Spirit and suppress it by their flawed flesh.
