Day 120: Conspiracy of Kindness
Read: Romans 12:9 - 21
Today, for some reason allegedly known only to God, the words for today's devotional offering are Conspiracy Theory. According to Wikipedia it explains an
event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or
organization or, more broadly, the idea that there are important
political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots
that are largely, unknown to the general public. I guess that it would
also hold that alleged perpetrators go through no small amount of pain,
impossible lengths and unimaginable sacrifices to make sure that no measure of truth ever comes even close to the surface. The books? They are absolutely fascinating reading and make for even better movies.
However, there is another Conspiracy theory you should be more aware
of. 15 'Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are
sad. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be
friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you
really are.' (15,16). Simply put it is God's grand conspiracy of
kindness towards our neighbors and ourselves. And, unfortunately, it is
not unlike the theories in the definition listed above. Kindness seems
to be a thing of the past. Our culture is swept more and more into the
mindset of an “eye for an eye.” Every day there are ceaseless examples
of just how cruel people can be toward each other. But, what about this 'conspiracy' thing?
The question that always seems to get asked by skeptics of Christianity is: Can we or do we really make a difference in our society? Are we really 'out
there'? The answer is yes and contrary to what others may try so hard to
be convinced of, is that we are 'out there', we do very much exist even
though our best efforts always seem to be deliberately hidden from the
public eye. Maybe it is just humility that keeps us from making too much
of a public spectacle of ourselves. I guess the difference that we can
make could begin with being more bolder, visible examples of simple
Christian kindness. But before I continue let me ask you “What does it
really mean to be kind?” What does kindness really mean for you?
First off, Kindness is a calling: 'Be
kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you.' (Ephesians 4:32). The basic meaning of kindness
means to be good, useful and helpful, considerate and gracious in all
situations regardless of circumstances. This is indeed a difficult
calling to answer but it is an essential one that we must answer to
growing more bold, more visible, more like Christ to the one's who are,
knowingly or unknowingly called to be our neighbors.
Kindness means that we care for the feelings of others and feel with them, boldly and visibly entering directly into, along side of, the situation with the family, friends and neighbors who suffer and struggle.
Let Us Pray: Lord thank you for the compassion and kindness You have
shown to us. I pray that I will follow your example, being compassionate
and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in your love. Heavenly
Father, anoint me, just as you anointed Jesus, so that I can, with
sureness of foot and purpose, guided by Your Holy Spirit, boldly and
visibly go forth, bringing your help and healing touch to my neighbors.
God please help me be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving them,
just as in Christ You forgave me. May my efforts make more visible Your Kingdom on Earth as it is in heaven. Amen
http://www.youtube.com/
Read: Romans 12:9 - 21
Today, for some reason allegedly known only to God, the words for today's devotional offering are Conspiracy Theory. According to Wikipedia it explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that there are important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely, unknown to the general public. I guess that it would also hold that alleged perpetrators go through no small amount of pain, impossible lengths and unimaginable sacrifices to make sure that no measure of truth ever comes even close to the surface. The books? They are absolutely fascinating reading and make for even better movies.
However, there is another Conspiracy theory you should be more aware of. 15 'Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.' (15,16). Simply put it is God's grand conspiracy of kindness towards our neighbors and ourselves. And, unfortunately, it is not unlike the theories in the definition listed above. Kindness seems to be a thing of the past. Our culture is swept more and more into the mindset of an “eye for an eye.” Every day there are ceaseless examples of just how cruel people can be toward each other. But, what about this 'conspiracy' thing?
The question that always seems to get asked by skeptics of Christianity is: Can we or do we really make a difference in our society? Are we really 'out there'? The answer is yes and contrary to what others may try so hard to be convinced of, is that we are 'out there', we do very much exist even though our best efforts always seem to be deliberately hidden from the public eye. Maybe it is just humility that keeps us from making too much of a public spectacle of ourselves. I guess the difference that we can make could begin with being more bolder, visible examples of simple Christian kindness. But before I continue let me ask you “What does it really mean to be kind?” What does kindness really mean for you?
First off, Kindness is a calling: 'Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.' (Ephesians 4:32). The basic meaning of kindness means to be good, useful and helpful, considerate and gracious in all situations regardless of circumstances. This is indeed a difficult calling to answer but it is an essential one that we must answer to growing more bold, more visible, more like Christ to the one's who are, knowingly or unknowingly called to be our neighbors.
Kindness means that we care for the feelings of others and feel with them, boldly and visibly entering directly into, along side of, the situation with the family, friends and neighbors who suffer and struggle.
Let Us Pray: Lord thank you for the compassion and kindness You have shown to us. I pray that I will follow your example, being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in your love. Heavenly Father, anoint me, just as you anointed Jesus, so that I can, with sureness of foot and purpose, guided by Your Holy Spirit, boldly and visibly go forth, bringing your help and healing touch to my neighbors. God please help me be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving them, just as in Christ You forgave me. May my efforts make more visible Your Kingdom on Earth as it is in heaven. Amen
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