BE KIND AS THE LORD IS KIND

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Proverbs 11:16, 11:17, 14:31

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

I don’t know about you but I love people who defer to kindness, no matter what. Maybe you know a few people like this, people who always seem to go out of their way to help others, trying consistently to make a difference.

I know I try to be like this in the way I live and I can only pray that I succeed. I say this because it’s not just an aspiration but an expectation for those who are Christian. Being kind is not optional although sometimes in the church, you may wonder if it’s a lost concept.

God’s word is full of inferences to kindness, particularly in the way we are to exercise it. Paul had this to say in his letter to the Galatian church:

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23a

These fruits are to be character traits of all Christians because they were and are character traits of the Savior who which they gain their identity from. Look at Jesus and you will see the perfect personification of these fruits and it is only through being in and of Him that we have any hope of yielding a fruitful harvest within our character as well. It’s little wonder why Jesus said that He was the vine and we were the branches. Connected to Him, the vine, we the branches, will bear the fruits of righteousness.

When we bear the fruits of His righteousness, particularly when it comes to kindness, then we will be the person others see as charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic in the way they live. They will want to know why you are the way you are and when they ask, it’s your chance to proclaim the Lord’s kindness as Isaiah did in this verse:

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done - according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7

Indeed, the Lord has placed His kindness in full display for all to see, if in no other way than His persistent mercy, grace, and love he extends to sinners who are not worthy to receive it, sinners who too often take His kindness for granted. We get a sense that the Christians in Rome had done just that as Paul wrote these words to them:

Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:4-5

You see, God’s word is clear. We have a choice when it comes to the Lord’s kindness. We can ignore it and welcome His wrath or we can embody it and bring Him honor as Solomon alludes to in this proverb:

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31

Friends, all we do should be done in a way that honors God, bringing Him glory. We are to magnify Him through the way we live and kindness is a part of that living. But we will only exercise kindness correctly when we allow it to be an extension of the Lord who proclaimed:

“I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.”

Jeremiah 9:24b

My prayer now and forever is that we all will seek to be kind as the Lord is kind. Just think of how much better our world would be to live in as a result.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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THE WAY TO CERTAIN VICTORY

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.

Proverbs 11:14, 21:31

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

As I sit down to write this morning, a dispute between the two major U.S. legislative bodies over a sweeping health care plan known as Obamacare is threatening to shutdown the government in a matter of days, putting a lot of people out of work without pay and diminishing services provided to the public.

Conflict is nothing new to this chapter of the House and Congress. They have been at odds with each other for several years now, one the Senate being controlled by the Democratic Party while the House controlled by the rival Republicans. Adding issue to the consistent clash is a partisan President who is a Democrat. Instead of seeking compromise and working to build bridges between parties, he instead has pushed his party’s agenda against the Republicans, particularly with the health care reform at the center of the current problem.

At risk in this political fight are the American people. Unfortunately, they are the ones who will bear the brunt of the fallout. Politicians talk a good game but they have deftly built in safeties for themselves so that they and their families will be protected in the event that a shutdown happens. And so they play high stakes chess with the lives of their constituents in play.

Now, let me say that I really dislike politics and this is a Christian devotion, not a political diatribe. But it’s important to frame the matter at hand and then look at what the Book of Proverbs offers in the way of wisdom and guidance. In other words, how could turning to God’s word change the story here? Look at these two verses for the answers:

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. Proverbs 11:14

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. Proverbs 21:31

You know, our founding fathers saw us as a nation under God but today we are far from that. In fact, there continues to be an increasing apostatic attitude which pushes God out of government and sadly, it has been a success. Our current situation is a perfect indicator of that.

Why do I say that?

Because a president and government entities who were truly allowing God to guide and lead them would consistently adopt a cooperative and conciliatory attitude about their dealings with one another. They wouldn’t be defined by their party as much as by their Father – their Founding Father. Placing God first would always ensure they were moving in accordance with His will for the nation and His people within it. And with this, every decision would be a victory because God would be at the center of it, magnified and glorified for the right, just, and fair ways He has guided the nation in.

Void of His direction, a nation will be governed just as it is today with resultant consequences that cause failure and falling. We shouldn’t be surprised as God’s word has promised it. And no matter how prepared competing sides feel they are for the battle at hand, they will not ever gain true victory. They may think they do but victory has and always will be with the Lord. The victory will never be credited to any man or woman but rather to the One who made them, the One who is rules and reigns over all creation.

Friends, the only certainty for victory comes through seeking the Lord’s guidance and advice and then following it. Whether we’re talking about governmental wrangling over major policy issues or personal wrangling over decisions we have in life, the Lord is ready to lead us to His will and way through His word and Spirit, a will and way that will always result in a perfect outcome of righteousness and holiness.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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THE BETRAYING NATURE OF GOSSIP

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.

Proverbs 11:13, 12:22, 13:17, 16:28, 18:8, 20:19

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Have you ever gossiped? Have you ever talked about someone behind their back or helped spread a rumor without knowing whether it was true or not or shared something with someone that you were supposed to keep in confidence?

It’s a wicked, little transgression that we all have engaged in at some time or another. In fact, it happens so much that we often do it without a second thought of just how sinful, and many times destructive, it is. Writer Erma Bombeck had this to say about it:

“Some say our national pastime is baseball. Not me. It's gossip”

Sad, but unfortunately true.

So why do we do it? Why do we revel so much in talking about others, often betraying their trust?

Perhaps it’s because it’s easier than looking within ourselves and seeing what needs correction.

You see, in some twisted way, we feel a sense of elevation when we bring someone down with our gossip. We make ourselves feel like we’re better when we’re really worse or at least just as bad as the one or ones we’re talking about. Writer Sean Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Effective Teens, asked this probing question:

“Isn't it kind of silly to think that tearing someone else down builds you up?”

I would actually say that it’s one of our great human tragedies, turning to something so dreadfully sinful instead of coming before God and seeking His help in exposing what’s wrong in our hearts and minds and then trying to do everything we can do to fix what needs fixing. When we gossip, we not only betray others but we betray God through our behavior. Perhaps, instead of talking about others, we should model the attitude of the psalmist who came before the Lord and said these words:

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

When we do this, we are looking within ourselves introspectively and not talking outward about others. We show a desire to trend toward righteousness and away from wickedness. We choose trustworthiness and integrity over betrayal and dishonesty.

Solomon has quite a bit to say in his proverbs about the betraying, damaging, sinful nature of gossip and slander. Look at these half dozen verses:

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. Proverbs 11:13

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22

A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. Proverbs 13:17

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. Proverbs 20:19

Look deep within these words of God and you will find soul piercing reasons to avoid gossip.

1. Any person who is in and of God will not want to be around you.

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.

If you are willing to betray someone else’s confidence and talk to me about them, it’s only a matter of time before you will turn on me too.

2. The sinfulness of gossip penetrates to the depths of one’s soul. They pollute the sender and the receiver.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

The Israelites refrained from putting yeast into their bread because it represented sin. On the surface, yeast didn’t look like much but it changed the character of whatever it entered. Bread, for example, rises into the puffiness we know it for. Symbolically, gossip is like yeast in that when we take it in, it goes to our inmost parts and infects us sinfully. This is why we should not only refrain from doing it but avoid those who choose to do it.

3. It’s a good way to lose friends.

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

There have been more than a few close friendships destroyed by a betrayal of trust, particularly when gossip was involved.

4. You can find yourself in trouble.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble.

We’ve just looked at how gossip wrecks relationships but think about the number of lawsuits that have been brought against people who have spread slander. It’s more trouble than it’s worth but for those who continue to talk about others in sinful ways, the Lord will bring negative consequences.

5. You will be detested by the Lord.

The Lord detests lying lips.

This is the worst penalty of all. Is there any place more precarious and dangerous than being detested by the Lord? I can’t think of any.

This would be the one proverb I would keep in mind the next time you decide to deceive others and betray their trust.

Friends, the word of God is clear here when it comes to the betraying nature of gossip. We’re not to do it period. Instead, we’re to be trustworthy and we can be just that when we allow the One who is perfectly trustworthy to lead the way. Join me today in the following prayer to that end:

Lord, forgive me for the times when I have gossiped against another. Guide my steps, I pray, and help me so that the words of my lips and the meditations of my heart are pleasing in Your sight, now and forever.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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EXALTED CITIES?

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.

Proverbs 11:10, 11:11, 14:34

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Think about the cities of the world today. We have a lot of them you know. In fact, if you consider the number of cities with more than a million residents, you will find that there are more than 450 in that category with nearly 50 within the United States alone.

That surprised me a little, I guess. For if you had that many people in one location, I would think that we would hear a lot of great things coming from those locales, don’t you?

I mean, it makes sense, right?

More people mean more opportunity to do good which would mean more of a reputation to elevate your stature in the nation and the world as a place where benevolence thrives. But think about it, name one city right off the top of your head that jumps out at you in this regard. If you can, help me out because I stay in tune with the world and I can’t think of one.

So why is this? Why don’t we have the opposite matter to discuss, a matter that would have us debating which city is the best when it comes to its goodwill, generosity, and compassion toward others?

The answer is rather simple actually and it’s found in these proverbs:

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Proverbs 11:10

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. Proverbs 11:11

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. Proverbs 14:34

Through God’s word, we find the key to any city being elevated in stature, particularly when it comes to munificence and philanthropy. It’s all about righteousness.

That’s it. It’s righteousness.

Not any man-made movement or program or concept. Just simply the people of God allowing God to work in and through their hearts and minds to do what is right and just and fair. When all people adopt this attitude within one municipality, when everyone gets on the same page of consistently placing themselves second to allow God’s word and will to be first, guiding them to His goodness and holiness, then and only then will that city become exalted and esteemed for all the right reasons.

Note that there is no room for wickedness in this equation. For it’s wickedness that has kept any city from being elevated to the level of goodness one might expect. Sin is an anchor that keeps a community of people from realizing just how good they can be together when they turn to what is right ahead. Perhaps this is why the righteous count it a blessing when someone wicked perishes, not because they rejoice in their death but because they rejoice in the wickedness that has departed, a wickedness that would seek to destroy every good and perfect thing the city was trying to do. After all, this is the main initiative of Satan himself, to destroy every good and perfect thing God is trying to do through His people.

Yes, the key is righteousness and it involves placing ourselves second so God can place others first in our lives. And if every person in every city would just do that, then can you see what a better world we would have to live in today, what a better world our children and our children’s children will have to grow up in?

For when every city in a nation becomes known for its righteousness, then the resultant effect is that the nation those cities are in becomes exalted. It’s as easy as that.

Righteous cities equal righteous nations.

Conversely, sinful cities equal sinful nations.

Question: Where does your city stand today? What are you doing to try and turn it toward righteousness? What is your church doing to turn it from righteousness?

Friends, our only hope in reaching the point where a city and nation rejoice in exaltation because they are living in ways that are right and pleasing with God is for every man and woman to live right in all that they do. When everyone is committed to that end, then, and only then, will our world be a better place.

It’s something we should not only strive for and dream about but pray over each and every day.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com