Kindness Rules – Day 13

Truth:

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48 (New Living Translation)

Thought:

Can you remember the last time someone showed you kindness …when it wasn’t to repay something you did for him or her, or to sell you something, or even to make an impression?

Doesn’t it just encourage you to remember someone like that?

Those are the people I like to hang around. They are the ones I need to learn from.

Of course, most have learned it from God.

Did you know God enjoys showing kindness towards all He has made?

…but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:24 (New International Version)

Did you know there are results when we don’t respond to His kindness?

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill. He prayed to the Lord, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So the Lord’s anger came against him and against Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 (New Living Translation)

Did you know God alone can respond the way He did against Hezekiah?

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath,
for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the
Lord.    Romans 12:19 (New International Version)

God’s justice is for God alone to wield. Jesus wants us to leave everything in God’s hands and to reflect the nature of God to those who can’t pay us back.

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner,
do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your
rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will
be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the
crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although
they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of
the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14 (New International Version)

Can we be kind and expect nothing in return? Can we obey what Jesus said in Luke 6:35 and show kindness to even those who consider us enemies?

You can because the nature of God is written and being rewritten on the parchment of your heart. You are shining His light to the side of the world that’s away from the Son. And He empowers you to do it:

1. Because of God
2. With Jesus
3. Empowered by the Holy Spirit

These are the Kindness Rules to allow kindness to rule.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for showing me kindness and help me to respond to it by showing it to others. I don’t want this to be a program I try for a certain number of days. I need this to be the pattern for my life. Help me to show kindness to all – to those close, to those against, and to those who cannot repay. Show me who I can show Your kindness to today and how I can do it so You get the glory.

Challenge:

There’s someone that has come to your mind that you need to be kind to today. It could be a neighbor, a co-worker, an extended family member, a person on the bus or a stranger on the street. Show them kindness that isn’t owed them, and don’t do it to have kindness returned.  Send me your stories.

Declaration:

I choose to reflect the light of the Son to the side of the world that’s away from the Son. I choose to put on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

I’m Trevor Lund, a Christian Author, Christian Speaker and Lead Dreamer for Expectancy Ministries. My passion is to be imparting hope and empowering destiny in others. Get resources for fasting for negativity from www.LifeAbovetheNegativity.com
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