The Gift Of Kindness

Wednesday, ‎December ‎21, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Luke 2:1, 4-5

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

Memory verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Readings: MICAH 4-5 REVELATION 12

Kindness

With every gift we have three things to do to start with.

1. Accept it

2. Unwrap it

3. Learn to use it.

Accepting a gift is hard for some. I am not fishing here. For some it is built in their minds to not accept charity. That, for some, extends into adult life. Our pride is hard at work here. We have to turn off the pride and accept the fact of our need so we can actually accept the free gift from God. In other words, we cannot be helped if we will not admit we need the help. God offers salvation, the Holy Spirit works on us until we accept God's offering in Christ. Then the entire world of God's heart is open for us to learn so we can be used for His purposes.

Colossians 3:12

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience

Unwrapping means we seek God and see what He has for us.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

If we seek, if we really seek to love God with all we are, God will unfold His endless kingdom. But we must seek and not stop, never tire. When we tire, we must return to Him. He is the answer to all our fatigue and worry.

As we seek God and He reveals all a little at a time(we could not handle all at once) The thing that stands in the way of our learning is the sin of our quenching the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit speaks through Paul here and then says, "Don't stop me-don't get in my way-just trust me".

The biggest problem in our spiritual lives is us. All our little misgivings and conditionings that get in the way of our trusting God must be abandoned for total trust in Him. If we trust God, God will open a world of victory and strength and then you will say:

1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Rest in His kindness and God will make it yours.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Glorious God of all good and perfect gifts, forgive me for my apprehensions of trusting. Build my faith!

Great friend and glorious God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen