True Riches

Biyernes, Nobyembre 10, 2023

BE KIND, BE INTENTIONAL

A 21 day Prayer and Fasting Devotional (Nov. 1-21, 2023)

Day 10

BE KIND, BE INTENTIONAL

In the New Testament, kindness is translated from the Greek word chrestotes, which means ‘the quality of being warmhearted, considerate, humane, gentle, and sympathetic.’ It can also be described as a characteristic of true love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4: “Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant” (AMP).

An illustration of kindness in the Bible can be seen in the actions of the Roman centurion (officer) in Luke 7:2–6. The centurion had a servant who became ill, and the centurion did everything in his power to heal this servant. Now, the centurion could have used his resources in a different way, such as hiring a new servant. But kindness compelled him to use every resource at his disposal to help his servant find healing. When the centurion appealed to Jesus, the Lord could see his intentionality. Jesus knew the centurion was motivated by compassion and kindness, and He could feel his faith. Jesus spoke a healing word from a distance, and the centurion’s servant was instantly made well.

How often do we see someone in need from a distance? How often do we hear the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts to help someone with groceries, assist someone who is struggling, or speak a word of encouragement to someone who needs uplifting? As we act on what we hear and feel in these times, we are intentionally giving kindness to others. We are being the hands and feet of Jesus. Intentional kindness is the heart of God. Intentional kindness can—and will—change the world.

Prayer

Father, please give you me Your eyes for those around me and help me see where I can show kindness today. Search my heart thoroughly, Father, and give me a heart of kindness. Highlight those around me who need a word of encouragement from You. Thank You, Lord, for Your intentional love toward me. Help me give what I have received from You to others and show me what intentional kindness looks like so I can love people well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activation

Reflect on a time when someone was kind to you. How did it make you feel?
What would your life look like if you made the decision to walk in intentional kindness for 10 days in a row? Do you accept the challenge?

For Further Study

(Just click the verses to read it)

Ephesians 4:32 Colossians 3:12 2 Timothy 2:24 Philippians 2:4

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Prepared and edited by:

Armando P. Mariano

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Miyerkules, Nobyembre 8, 2023

PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE

A 21 day Prayer and Fasting Devotional (Nov. 1-21, 2023)

Day 9

PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE

God may allow us to experience difficult and uncomfortable situations on the way to our promised destinations. But the journey was going to be worth the pain, while we will have temporary discomfort, for sure we would get there. All you need to do to enjoy the trip was to embrace the journey and be patient.

Many people fail to realize that patience doesn’t begin working in our hearts until we’re irritated. Waiting for something and having patience are two different things. When we are waiting, we are simply pausing in expectation that the coming promise (answer to our prayers) is near and inevitable. Our waiting turns to patience when our expectations are not met, and our timing is violated. In other words, when we get tired of waiting, that’s when patience begins!
There is a word for this process in the Bible: suffering. The apostle Paul wrote, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance [patience], and endurance [patience] produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3–4 ESV). Painful waiting (suffering) has the by-product of patience, and patience has the by-product of character.
Jesus lived this way. He experienced more suffering than any other person who has ever lived. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews 12:1–3 MSG).
Jesus led the way for us. He plowed through the suffering. He knows that waiting will turn into patience, and patience will turn into character.
We will get there. The journey will be over one day, so maybe we can quit asking, “Are we there yet?” and start asking, “God, am I done yet?”