Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Be Kind

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:29–32

Everett Dirksen represented the state of Illinois first in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate from 1932 until his death in 1969. Though he was a gifted speaker, Dirksen was best known for his ability to form close friendships that allowed him to work across the divisions that often appear in politics. One of the secrets to his success was the help he provided to others. Dirksen famously said that when there was a controversial issue up for a vote that did not have a direct bearing on his constituents or his principles, he would figure out which side was going to win and then vote for the other side. Dirksen said, “My friend, the winners never remember and the losers never forget.”

Acts of kindness should not be rare, particularly within the body of Christ, but in too many cases callousness and even cruelty are more commonly displayed instead. There is no shortage of people who could use a kind and encouraging word. There are plenty of people struggling to make it from one day to the next, who wonder if anyone cares for them. There are many who echo the lament of David: “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (Psalm 142:4). It takes very little to be kind, but kindness has a powerful impact.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Touching someone’s life in kindness is one of the most important things you can do today.

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Eternity Now   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Courage

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. --Psalm 39:7 How can you be confident in your future? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have a hope that is grounded in God. And there is nothing stronger, truer, surer, more reliable, more just, or more powerful than Him! So how is this confident hope made real in your own life? Hope is made real through the Scriptures. If you want to increase your hope, study the Scriptures. “In his word I hope” (Psalm 130:5). God, who cannot lie, has given us a guarantee, a sure promise in His Word. The revelation of His word is that you and I have a future and a hope. Hope is also made real by the resurrection. Because Jesus Christ lives, we shall live also. Because He conquered sin, the grave, death, and hell, we are conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37). And hope is made real by faith. Faith and hope are inseparably linked. Faith is the root, hope is the fruit. Faith produces hope! “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness” (Galatians 5:5).                                                                                                                                                Make your hope real by building your life upon the word of God.