Cords of Human Kindness
I have spent most of my day preparing a "Care Package" for my sweet boy who is at school at Azusa Pacific University in California. I always get him a Valentine's prize and this year will be no different. I wish I could send each one of you girls a care package! Please know how much I love and appreciate each one of you and I am so thankful for your participation in this journey!
I began to think about caring and kindness. Kindness is one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit and is important in the life of any Christian.The word kindness is chrestotes, in Greek and means "tender concern for others." Kindness comes from a tender heart. The only way we can manifest kindness is through yielding to the Father and allowing His Spirit to flow through us. We serve a God who has a tender heart. When we surrender full control of our heart and life to Him, we will show kindness to others.
Acts 9:36-41 tells a story of a woman who showed kindness. Her name was Tabitha (or Dorcus) and she lived in Joppa. Tabitha "was always doing good and helping the poor." (vs. 36). She gave to those in need and was known for sewing clothes for the poor and the widows. When Tabitha became sick and died, all the widows stood around crying and showing the robes and clothing that she had made them. They sent an appeal to Peter in nearby Lydda to come. We see in verse 40 and 41, that Peter sent everyone out of the room and got down on his knees and prayed. He then said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. "Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa and many people believed in the Lord." (vs. 43).
Have you ever known someone who always showed kindness? Someone who was always doing good and helping others? How have you shown kindness to others in the past? Is the Lord prompting you to show kindness to someone that He has placed upon your heart?
Tabitha was constantly showing kindness to those who did not have much. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, we begin to see others through the eyes of a tenderhearted Savior. We begin to realize the needs of those around us. We begin to get our eyes off of our situation and look at those who are hurting all around us each day. There are so many who are hurting. There are so many who need clothed. (physically and spiritually) There are so many who are hoping for something greater. When we surrender to His Spirit, we are able to give a kindness that comes straight from the heart of the Father.
We notice that when Tabitha became ill and had died, the widows and believers appealed to Peter on her behalf. Peter appealed to the Father by bowing on his knees and praying for healing for Tabitha. Maybe there is someone that the Lord has impressed upon your heart who is in need of healing. It may be a spiritual, emotional, or physical healing. Whatever the nature, have you been down on your knees for them? Are you fervently praying for God to work a miracle in their life? Sometimes, when we are experiencing our darkest night, we feel as though we can do nothing. Sometimes, we feel as though a part of us has died. What a blessing to have friends who come alongside us and pray for our healing. It is a blessing to have those who will appeal to the Father on our behalf. Intercessory prayers are just as powerful today as they were in the Bible. God restored life to Tabitha and I believe that God can and will restore your life to an abundant life, as well.
We also see that "took her by the hand and helped her to her feet." (vs.41). Sometimes we need to take someone by the hand and help them to their feet. There are those who have fallen spiritually that are in need of some kindness. Maybe it's that person that you used to see in church all the time. They used to come regularly, then not so often and now it's been awhile since you've seen them. Have you taken the time to call or send them a note of encouragement? Sometimes we just need to take our neighbors by the hand and help them back up to their feet. Offer to give them a ride to church or invite them over for dinner. Let them know that you care about them and they are missed. If they have fallen spiritually, then restore them gently with kindness and love.
Jesus Christ is alive and active and His Spirit resides in us! He presents us "alive" to others every day! When we are at home, when we go to work, church and throughout our communities we are living proof that God is alive! We are to be vessels outpouring His kindness to our families, our church and our community around us. I am confident, that when we live as Christ, HE will become known all over Joppa (your city) and many people will believe in the Lord.
"I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love." (Hosea 11:4) God loves us and wants to heal us and use our healed vessels in the lives of others. Let's allow Him to tie us together with His love and lead us with His kindness. Let the church be unified and work together so that JESUS CHRIST will become known throughout the world.
Lord, help me to be an extension of Your kindness and tenderness towards others. Help me not to miss a single opportunity to help those in need around me. Help them to see You and not me. I love you Lord!
I love you Journey Girls and I am praying for you this evening. Pray for opportunities to show kindness this week. Keep us posted on the GOD stops along the way. You are a blessing! Thank you for showing me your kindness and love.
Loving Christ and loving others,
Elisabeth
I began to think about caring and kindness. Kindness is one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit and is important in the life of any Christian.The word kindness is chrestotes, in Greek and means "tender concern for others." Kindness comes from a tender heart. The only way we can manifest kindness is through yielding to the Father and allowing His Spirit to flow through us. We serve a God who has a tender heart. When we surrender full control of our heart and life to Him, we will show kindness to others.
Acts 9:36-41 tells a story of a woman who showed kindness. Her name was Tabitha (or Dorcus) and she lived in Joppa. Tabitha "was always doing good and helping the poor." (vs. 36). She gave to those in need and was known for sewing clothes for the poor and the widows. When Tabitha became sick and died, all the widows stood around crying and showing the robes and clothing that she had made them. They sent an appeal to Peter in nearby Lydda to come. We see in verse 40 and 41, that Peter sent everyone out of the room and got down on his knees and prayed. He then said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. "Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa and many people believed in the Lord." (vs. 43).
Have you ever known someone who always showed kindness? Someone who was always doing good and helping others? How have you shown kindness to others in the past? Is the Lord prompting you to show kindness to someone that He has placed upon your heart?
Tabitha was constantly showing kindness to those who did not have much. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, we begin to see others through the eyes of a tenderhearted Savior. We begin to realize the needs of those around us. We begin to get our eyes off of our situation and look at those who are hurting all around us each day. There are so many who are hurting. There are so many who need clothed. (physically and spiritually) There are so many who are hoping for something greater. When we surrender to His Spirit, we are able to give a kindness that comes straight from the heart of the Father.
We notice that when Tabitha became ill and had died, the widows and believers appealed to Peter on her behalf. Peter appealed to the Father by bowing on his knees and praying for healing for Tabitha. Maybe there is someone that the Lord has impressed upon your heart who is in need of healing. It may be a spiritual, emotional, or physical healing. Whatever the nature, have you been down on your knees for them? Are you fervently praying for God to work a miracle in their life? Sometimes, when we are experiencing our darkest night, we feel as though we can do nothing. Sometimes, we feel as though a part of us has died. What a blessing to have friends who come alongside us and pray for our healing. It is a blessing to have those who will appeal to the Father on our behalf. Intercessory prayers are just as powerful today as they were in the Bible. God restored life to Tabitha and I believe that God can and will restore your life to an abundant life, as well.
We also see that "took her by the hand and helped her to her feet." (vs.41). Sometimes we need to take someone by the hand and help them to their feet. There are those who have fallen spiritually that are in need of some kindness. Maybe it's that person that you used to see in church all the time. They used to come regularly, then not so often and now it's been awhile since you've seen them. Have you taken the time to call or send them a note of encouragement? Sometimes we just need to take our neighbors by the hand and help them back up to their feet. Offer to give them a ride to church or invite them over for dinner. Let them know that you care about them and they are missed. If they have fallen spiritually, then restore them gently with kindness and love.
Jesus Christ is alive and active and His Spirit resides in us! He presents us "alive" to others every day! When we are at home, when we go to work, church and throughout our communities we are living proof that God is alive! We are to be vessels outpouring His kindness to our families, our church and our community around us. I am confident, that when we live as Christ, HE will become known all over Joppa (your city) and many people will believe in the Lord.
"I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love." (Hosea 11:4) God loves us and wants to heal us and use our healed vessels in the lives of others. Let's allow Him to tie us together with His love and lead us with His kindness. Let the church be unified and work together so that JESUS CHRIST will become known throughout the world.
Lord, help me to be an extension of Your kindness and tenderness towards others. Help me not to miss a single opportunity to help those in need around me. Help them to see You and not me. I love you Lord!
I love you Journey Girls and I am praying for you this evening. Pray for opportunities to show kindness this week. Keep us posted on the GOD stops along the way. You are a blessing! Thank you for showing me your kindness and love.
Loving Christ and loving others,
Elisabeth
2 Response to Cords of Human Kindness
I had an awesome God stop on this week!!
A few weeks ago in the break room at work, I had the opportunity to talk with a co-worker that I don't know very well. I was casually talking about my teenagers and our youth group and she was just sitting there listening. When everyone else left the room she seemed very troubled and she began to share about her 7th grade daughter and the difficulties she was having with her recently. This lady is a very strong christian woman but she is recently divorced and her daughter has been having lots of problems at school and being very disrespectful and disobedient. This mom had spoken with teachers and school counselors and was just very distressed because she was getting no help. She asked me how I had kept my high school kids from going astray. At first I wasn't sure how to respond because like I said, I don't know this lady very well. God prompted me to just share my heart. I told her that it was lots of answered prayers and as many Godly influences as I could place in their lives had helped make them who they are. She asked me how I did that. I told her that church was never "an option" in our house. We are blessed with an amazing church and church family and no matter what, my children had to be in church and participate in youth activities regularly. Even if they may not "want to", that is not their decision. NOT OPTIONAL!! We talked for a few more minutes then both went back to our work...
A couple days ago, this lady came into my office and said, "I just want to thank you."
I said, "For what??"
She said, "What you said to me a few weeks ago really hit home. You said that church was never an option with your kids. Sadly, I have been allowing it to be an option for my daughter. She's had a hard time with the divorce and I didn't want to nag her about church so, if she didn't want to come, I have been letting her stay home. After you and I talked, I decided that it wasn't going to be optional in our house anymore either. I went home and told my daughter that from now one we where going to church as a family.... I just want you to know that last night at church, my daughter got saved! Thank you!"
Praise God that He gave me just the words that this sweet sister needed to hear at just the right moment. Then He did all the work!!
Rhonda,
This is AWESOME!! Praise God for a new sweet sister in Christ! Praise God for your sensitivity to His Spirt. Thank you for allowing Him to use you in such an awesome way! Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord!! I am so proud of you! I am continuing to pray for your Believing God girls group!! I love you!
Elisabeth
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