Thursday, April 2, 2009

Happy Thursday! Luke 6: 15 says, “He is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin.”

Each day at school after the pledge and announcements the announcer says, “Treat others as you want to be treated. We are family.”

Jesus lived out this “golden rule.” He was kind to those who were kind to Him and kind to those who were kind to others. But Jesus was also kind to those who were not kind to him or did not do kind things to others. Jesus did not expect thanks for His kind acts or attitudes toward others. Some people were thankful and some were not. The heart of Jesus was a kind and caring heart that always loved the sinner, but did not like the sins.

An act of kindness is simply an act of grace. God’s grace is the unmerited act of love lavished upon us because God loves us so perfectly and completely. We are called by God as His children to live out a godly life. Jesus modeled this godly life by treating those whom He met with kindness. A godly life includes ARKs (Acts of Random Kindness) and not expecting thank you or a reward in return. When we perform an ARK we are showing God’s grace in action in our own lives.

It is easy to be kind to those we love or to those who have been kind to us, but what about those whom have not been kind to us or even to whom we have not been kind. Jesus was kind to those who were not kind to Him even thought they were ungrateful and full of sin. Luke 6:37 says, “If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? Even sinners love the people who love them.” For us to follow the example of Jesus we need to be kind to all those we meet. For those who have hearts of unkindness, they need to see the face of Jesus. As children of God we are called to act in His name and be His representative. Open your heart to the leading of God and he will place His kindness in you with enough left over for someone else. Max Lucado says, “Kindness not only says good morning, but it also makes the coffee.” (I like that!)

Take joy in the journey. Love and peace to you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.

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