Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life. God would have us to be kind toward others. He commands us, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God…kindness” (Col. . 3:12). We are to be kind to our brethren in Christ (Rom. 12:10) as well as total strangers. (See example in Acts 28:2).
Kindness is not kindness until it is shown. The Kenites showed kindness to the Hebrews (1 Sam. 15:6) as well as the men of Jabesh-gilead toward Saul (2 Sam. 2:5).
Kindness also begets kindness. In both examples above in which kindness was extended, they received kindness in return. The person who is kind, is a person who lives in a kind world.
Gary Henson
GREAT RESULTS
The account of the centurion in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 teaches that in order to have great results (Mt. 8:13), one must have great faith (Mt. 8:10), which is developed by great desire (Lk. 7:2), great humility (Lk. 7:6-7), great hearing (Lk. 7:3), great action (Lk. 7:13) and great trust in God’s power (Lk. 7:7-8).
Gary Henson
What Do You Do For Fun?
Several years ago a very sweet Christian girl told me about an incident with a young man who had been asking to date her. He was not a member of the church, and they just didn’t have anything in common. She had turned him down twice, and now she said “no” to attending a rock concert with him.
In mock exasperation the young man asked, “What do you do for fun? You don’t dance. You don’t drink. You don’t go to rock concerts. What do you do for fun?”
Her response was a classic message for all Christians with conviction. She told him, “For fun I get up in the morning without feeling embarrassed, ashamed, and guilty about what I did the night before.” The young man had nothing more to say.
It’s true. That is fun! Come to think of it, there are many things in her life that are fun. She is married now to a fine Christian man. They have a little girl and are building an outstanding Christian home together.
She is having fun every day not having to live with the affliction of deep scars and regrets from her past. It is fun getting ready each afternoon to welcome her husband home from work, knowing that he won’t be stopping off for a few drinks with the guys on his way. It is fun knowing that while he is away from her, his Christian conduct won’t allow infidelity, or even flirting.
It is fun watching him hold their little girl on his lap with loving, protecting arms. It is fun knowing that their little girl will never see her father in a drunken stupor or experimenting with drugs. It is fun living with the assurance that the home will be led by a spiritual leader who will guide the family members toward heaven.
The list of fun things for Christian is endless. What do you do for fun?
Jack W. Carter