Tag: gentle
Day 3–Bone-breaker!
Scripture reading for April 1: Proverbs 25:15 “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft (gentle) tongue will break a bone.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
In our culture, it is often thought that the loudest and meanest person gets his way and is heard. We often hear voices raised and demanding what is wanted from those in authority. Some people think that this might be the best way to approach God, our supreme authority, but Jesus modeled and taught a different approach. Jesus knew that patience and gentleness were powerful weapons to break through hearts hardened by labor and loads.
Jesus called out to those who were hurting in His culture with an invitation to come to Him with their heavy burdens and deep wounds and worries. Jesus offered to teach them His way of life. He lived a life of rest. Although He came from the throne of God, He came with gentleness and compassion, reflecting the heart of His Father. He humbly invited all to willingly come under His ‘yoke’. This may sound like a real burden if you view ‘yoke’ as the wooden beam thrown over an oxen’s shoulders to pull the load. But Jesus was talking about them becoming His disciples and the ‘yoke’ was His simple teaching and instruction. As a rabbi in the Jewish culture had disciples, so Jesus called disciples who would willingly ‘yoke’ with Him.
As we look at how important our words are in helping others, this simple teaching on gentleness can make a world of difference. When we see from God’s perspective, we understand that humility and gentleness are powerful influencers. God doesn’t force anyone to come under His ‘yoke’ but sends out a loving invitation. Being loud and demanding may appear to be cool, but is not Jesus’ ‘yoke’!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for modeling for us the gentleness and compassion of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to humbly listen to Your Words and Your Son’s example and respond to His call every day. Living in rest for our souls will draw others to our gentle Savior. Amen.
God pleasers, not man pleasers!
Scripture reading for September 15: 1 Thessalonians 2
“But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the Gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God Who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext of greed–God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.” 1 Thessalonians 2:2-7
Paul, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, gives the Thessalonians insight into his own world view and motivation of his heart. As an apostle, he could have made demands for support from those who believed in that region. He had suffered greatly at his last missions stop in Philippi and was still recovering. But none of the trouble hindered Paul from fulfilling his sacred calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was focused on preaching Christ, pleasing His Father, and living in joy of the Holy Spirit no matter what man might think or do to him. He knew that God saw his heart and the hearts of all men and desired all to be saved and come to Jesus Christ.
Paul never used flattery or seductive speech to win over the lost. He was not motivated by a love of money or fame from the acclaim of man. Paul boldly fulfilled his calling from Jesus to preach the Gospel, even in the midst of conflict and persecution. He described his own heart and those of his missions team as like a nursing mother caring tenderly for her very young children. This heart was a reflection of the heart of Jesus Christ, gentle and lowly, offering peace and rest. (Matthew 11:28-30) He considered others of more value than himself, that he might win some!
How do you think you might respond after mistreatment for preaching the Gospel? Do you let the opinions of others or their criticism of your faith stop you from sharing Jesus Christ? In what ways do you demonstrate a desire to please God in your daily witness and life?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for sometimes allowing a fear of man to hinder my witness for you. Fill me with Your heart of gentleness and humility towards sinners and those needing grace because of ignorance and lack of maturity. Let the pastor’s heart of Jesus Christ transform my witness! Amen.
Seek the Wisdom from Above!
Scripture reading for November 4th: James 3, Psalm 70, Proverbs 4
Key Scriptures: James 3:14-18 “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Our world is full of jealous and selfish people who are out for themselves. This brings disorder and chaos to society. Christians must beware of this unspiritual and demonic form of earthly ‘wisdom’. God’s wisdom is peace-loving and gentle. It is open to reason and full of mercy. It is impartial and sincere. Christ’s followers sow this wisdom and the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus and reap a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Faith Confession: I lay hold of the Wisdom from heaven as I ask God to fill me with His Holy Spirit. I seek to sow God’s wisdom in the fruit of His Spirit to bring a harvest of peace, mercy and righteousness.
Proverbs 4:11-12 “I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.”
Your King Comes!
Scripture reading for January 29th: Matthew 21:1-27, Psalm 19:1-6, Proverbs 5:15-18
Jesus gave instructions to his disciples before entering Jerusalem. They were to go into the village and find a donkey with her colt tied there and bring them to Jesus. Jesus was in need of a special ride into town, because this would fulfill prophesy written by Zechariah nearly 600 years earlier. “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” (Zechariah 9:9) God has everything planned and for our faith and benefit, it is written down.
Jesus entered Jerusalem as their King and a large crowd followed Him and welcomed Him shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) The whole city was stirred and began to question whether or not this was Messiah. Most considered Jesus to be a prophet of some sort. However, the chants of the crowd seemed to indicate that this might be the long-awaited Messiah.
” Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.'” (Matthew 21:12-13) What Jesus did next was shocking to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. He was angry as He turned over the tables and drove those who were changing money out of the temple. This King took control over the temple and those in authority wondered where He got that authority! His words were those spoken by Jeremiah as he addressed the religious leaders for their hypocrisy right before the captivity! (Jeremiah 7:9-11)
It is easy to cry “Hosanna” and welcome the King. It is not so easy to have the King come showing anger over our sins! Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit now. Are you allowing things in your body or spirit that will arouse the anger of a Holy King should He visit? It is better to do housecleaning now and be ready to welcome Him! Jesus came riding on a donkey to Jerusalem, but next time will come riding on a white horse as “King of Kings!” (Revelation 19:11-16)
The King Comes!
Scripture reading for January 29th: Matthew 21:1-27, Psalm 19:1-6, Proverbs 5:15-18
Jesus gave instructions to his disciples before entering Jerusalem. They were to go into the village and find a donkey with her colt tied there and bring them to Jesus. Jesus was in need of a special ride into town, because this would fulfill prophesy written by Zechariah nearly 600 years earlier. “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” (Zechariah 9:9) God has everything planned and for our faith and benefit, it is written down.
Jesus entered Jerusalem as their King and a large crowd followed Him and welcomed Him shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) The whole city was stirred and began to question whether or not this was Messiah. Most considered Jesus to be a prophet of some sort. However, the chants of the crowd seemed to indicate that this might be the long-awaited Messiah.
” Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” (Matthew 21:12-13) What Jesus did next was shocking to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. He was angry as He turned over the tables and drove those who were changing money out of the temple. This King took control over the temple and those in authority wondered where He got that authority! His words were those spoken by Jeremiah as he addressed the religious leaders for their hypocrisy right before the captivity! (Jeremiah 7:9-11)
It is easy to cry “Hosanna” and welcome the King. It is not so easy to have the King come showing anger over our sins! Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit now. Are you allowing things in your body or spirit that will arouse the anger of a Holy King should He visit? It is better to do housecleaning now and be ready to welcome Him! Jesus came riding on a donkey to Jerusalem, but next time will come riding on a white horse as “King of Kings!” (Revelation 19:11-16)