KINDNESS NEEDED

And be ye kind, one to another, tender hearted,

forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's

sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

It doesn't take much intelligence to see that in our day, kindness doesn't seem to be a goal in the lives of many folks. Kind folks are usually very tender-hearted. The emotion of tenderness just seems to go hand in hand with acts of kindness. One who is given to kindness usually has a very tender feeling toward other persons. Kindness isn't reserved for folks we know personally. There are many times in a store, restaurant, gas station where we come in contact with folks we don't know who may need a kind word, smile or even help.

One of the things I had to learn shortly after Brian's passing was how to put gas in the car. In time past, years ago, I put gas in a car but not recently. Those gas pumps can be very complicated. I usually get my gas in a local place out side our IGA store. There are always lots of visitors and thus folks putting gas in their cars. In these beginning days, I know I looked like a fish out of water trying to figure out what buttons to push and getting the heavy hose nozzle near the opening of the gas tank. There have been several times when gentlemen have come up to me offering to put the gas in my car, even showing me the right buttons to push. All was done with a smile and a good bit of sympathy.

Sometimes we miss the times when someone shows us kindness that are perhaps not as noticeable. There are times we too, show or express kindness when we wouldn't put a name to it...when we compliment someone, express concern about someone's health (and willing to hear the story), expressing gratitude for someone else's kindness.

Notice that along with kindness and tenderness in the above verse is the word forgiveness. I don't think we would consider that to be an act of kindness but it really is in the strongest of terms. This is something that comes hard for us, especially when we have been deeply hurt or offended. This is a really big area where we can be like Jesus. Where would we be without His loving kindness in our lives. With Jesus' sacrifice, we see and experience kindness, tender-heartedness and forgiveness all wrapped up in one beautiful package...ours for the opening at any time, any place, under any circumstances. We are truly a blessed people.

Thank You Father for the example of Jesus who extended kindness in some of the worst of events in His own life. Help us to want more and more to be like Your Son. Strengthen us with Your Holy Spirit so as to know and serve You better. In Jesus' name....Amen

 

GRATEFUL and BLESSED

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and

all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Psalm 103:1

While doing some work on my computer this week and in searching around for some special information, I came to a plaque on someone's wall. It simply had three words, one just above the other: GRATEFUL and BLESSED. I looked at it for a minute trying to get the connection. In a way, both words have some of the same meaning.

I decided in my own mind and heart that although similar, at least for me, one is a more private word (grateful) while the other (blessed) would seemingly be a word I would perhaps express to another person. Both words are somewhat intertwined but both are so direly needed in our day.

Most of us can recall when very young, if an adult gave us something or complimented us, our mothers would be quick to remind us “Say thank you.” We may have gone ahead and done that, but gratitude in that setting can be rather insincere at best, especially coming from children. Gratitude is a very personal quality and emotion that if expressed under pressure only isn't truly meaningful.

I am learning as of late that I have so many things to be grateful for, especially in the last few months. I think of Brian often, of course, and recall his love and care for me. He had a sense of humor that few people had the privilege of seeing. Such came through with family or friends he knew well. With me, he could make some of the craziest comments in his made-up screechy voice. I saw him as a Godly man with more character and integrity than most. He was firm in his beliefs and in his quiet way, would stand for what was right. I'm grateful to have had the privilege of knowing him well and at the same time learning from him. I'm not only grateful but feel very blessed.

The Word of God has meant so much to me, perhaps more in recent months than I can remember. I'm so grateful for how the Holy Spirit teaches me and guides me through so much of it that I've never really seen before. Along that line, I'm so grateful for our ladies Sunday school class I've been privileged to teach when our regular leader, Ruth has asked me to. These Godly ladies have been such a loving support and have seemed to know just what to say at the right times. Many have walked this same road as I am on.

All bundled up, I have had more things to be grateful for than I can list and because of it all, I am a very blessed person. In fact, it's quite overwhelming in a wonderful way.

Father, I don't know how to thank You for all Your blessings in my life. My heart is full of gratitude as well as just feeling so blessed for all You are in my life. In Jesus' name..Amen

SPIRITUAL MAINTENANCE

The steps of a good man are ordered

by the Lord:and He delighteth in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly

cast down: for the Lord upholdeth

him with His hand.

Proverbs 37:23,24

The purchase of any new, very expensive item, new at the time of purchase, still requires a certain amount of maintenance. A new car will not stay the same new car with it's new-car smell The aroma won't last for very long. New household appliances need upkeep and won't stay new for long. The aroma of cooking bacon in a new house insures it's new smell won't linger. All expensive items require certain amounts of maintenance.

When a believer in Christ has dealt with past issues in life, it's almost as refreshing as in their day of salvation. Spiritual air feels fresh and clean in those days. Still, Satan loves to remind us of times past...our disappointments, failures and sometimes loss in so many forms. Despite our feelings of victory, Satan waits to tear us up again. So, how does a Christian, fresh from defeat, maintain that freshness and spirit of revival. Maintenance will require effort on our part. Scripture gives us direction and steps to take in the strength of the Holy Spirit. A wonderful place one could start is with Psalm 37. It's maintenance instructions are very clear, some of which are:

V 1: FRET NOT THYSELF because of evil doers

V 3: TRUST IN THE LORD

V 4: DELIGHT THYSELF ALSO IN THE LORD

V 5: COMMIT THY WAY UNTO THE LORD

V 7 REST IN THE LORD...WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM

V 8: CEASE FROM ANGER

I encourage you to read that entire Psalm. Sometimes we need clear-cut instructions with little explanation. Those things are about as clear-cut as possible, none of which are possible without the strengthening of God's Spirit. Whether longing for spiritual victory or having just known it, those above instructions are a good place to consider. I might add that without a maintenance manual and following it's instructions, failure is a given. We have our spiritual manual...God's Word. It's instructions are failure proof when followed to the letter.

Thank You Father for Your direction in our lives. You want us to walk in victory. Give us a sense of urgency in maintaining our walk with You...Amen and amen

PURPOSE IN IT ALL

Who (our Lord) hath saved us,

and called us with a holy calling,

not according to our works, but

according to his own purpose

and grace, which was given us

in Christ Jesus before the

world began

II Timothy 1:9

They tell us in news reports today that suicides are at an all time high. Such events aren't limited to any particular status, race or culture. When one takes in hand a gun, knife or poison of some kind to take one's life, they would say there are no reasons to go on living. For them, all purpose for living seems to be gone.

The days were long and hard at the time. I'm not prone to depression, but I was there...full blown. I knew I wasn't where God wanted me to be. For six years I had lived and worked in a Christian Center in the middle of an inner city area. I was more than disappointed in myself. I wasn't all for the Lord I knew He wanted me to be and I knew I wanted to be. I felt at the time I had lost all sense of purpose being where I was. I had first gone there with stars in my eyes, that I was going to make a difference in lives. That was rather pompous on my part, forgetting that only God can do that. Bottom line was, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. God had patiently waited for me to wake up and join Him in fulfilling His purpose for my life. I soon left there and a remarkable new life opened up to me. In fact, within the year, I became Brian's wife.

We often think in terms of young people finding their spiritual way regarding God's plan and purpose for their lives. We have seen young people go forward at the end of a church service to rededicate their lives to God's will. We rejoice in those moments, but often feel that those moments are reserved for the young only.

What makes us think that even in the aging process, God isn't quite as interested in our recognizing His purpose for our lives like when we were young. We may often step back and take the attitude, “What's done is done.” The above verse is for all ages. I've said in the past and probably more often than others want to hear that “Where there's a pulse, there's a purpose.”

Why are we still here “above ground?” It's because God isn't finished with us and still has purpose for every day He gives us. Our relationship with Him must be fresh and vibrant. That contributes to our being usable for God in ways we can't imagine. He wants our lives to count, to have meaning and to be spiritually contagious in the lives of others. No matter our ages, God still has purpose for each of us.

Dear Father, help us to stay focused on Your will and way for our being. Keep us close and usable for Your honor and glory. Help us to recognize value in being close to You, serving You where You have placed us. Thank You for giving us real purpose in living. In Jesus' precious name...Amen