God Is Pleased With Your Acts Of Kindness

Grace and peace be unto you.

The story is told that Shimei offended King David and he did not immediately retaliate. Instead, he told his son and successor, Solomon, to exact revenge. Solomon instructed Shimei to build himself a house in Jerusalem and live there. He cautioned him to go nowhere else, and emphatically stated that if he crossed the Kidron Valley, he would die. Shimei expressed gratitude for Solomon’s kindness (1 Kings 2:8-9; 36-37).

Solomon could have ordered Shimei to be put to death but he showed him kindness for the maltreatment of his father. The apostle Matthew wrote, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

As you go throughout this day, are you prepared to give kindness for offences? The story is told that Peter denied Jesus three times. Even so, after Jesus’ resurrection, he sent a message to his disciples for them to meet him in Galilee, and he specifically said, “And Peter” (Luke 22:54-62; Mark 16:7). Can you imagine how Peter felt when he received the special invite? Similarly, can you imagine how your offenders feel when you show them kindness?

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your kindness. Help us to be kind to everyone as we diligently serve you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God Gives You Peace And Assurance

Grace and peace be unto you.

The story is told that Paul and Peter were imprisoned, and the church prayed fervently while believing that God would deliver them. The result was that Paul remained and an angel helped Peter escape (Acts 24:27; Acts 12:3-11). God has a unique way of placing us in the correct environment to do his work. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Paul’s assignment was in the prison while Peter’s was outside.   

Interestingly, no amount of prayer and faith could convince God to release Paul from prison. Scripture says, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you” (Job 42:2). Although the believers’ requests were not fully granted, God gave them peace and assurance that his will was being done. Consequently, they were encouraged and faithfully continued doing his work.  

Similarly, when we pray, God assures us that his plan will be accomplished. Hence, we are encouraged to leave our concerns with him and trust him. The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your great love. Thanks for the assurance that your will is being done as we pray. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Great Are You Lord

Grace and peace be unto you.

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you and extol your
name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord; your
faithful people extol you.

They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
So that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Psalm 145:1-12 NIV

10 Bible Verses About Justice

Grace and peace be unto you.

1. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. (Proverbs 21:15).

2. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24).

3. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. (Psalm 33:5).

4. For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (Isaiah 61:8).

5. Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times! (Psalm 106:3).

6. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19).

7. Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another. (Zechariah 7:9).

8. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3).

9. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7).

10. So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12).

Heavenly Father, we praise you because you know everything. Thank you for reminding us to love justice and show kindness to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God Loves The Result

Grace and peace be unto you.

The story is told that the Holy Spirit directed Paul and Barnabas to Cyprus to share the gospel. He did not tell them about the oppositions they would face or the likely success of their assignment. After Paul and Barnabas passionately preached the gospel, only one person was reportedly saved, the proconsul, Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:4-12). Even so, they were not dismayed and continued preaching. They knew that the result was dependent on God and so they focused on completing their assignment.

God is Sovereign and he does whatever pleases him (Psalm 115:3). When he gives an assignment, he does not tell us the outcome. Neither does he want us to become preoccupied with an expected result. Primarily because he works in his own time which could be, during an assignment, after we have moved on to another assignment, or after we have passed on. The proconsul was an influential figure, therefore, it is likely that he led many people to Christ after Paul and Barnabas’ departure. Interestingly, the final result of Paul and Barnabas’ work is only known by God.  

Perhaps you have completed a divine assignment and are disappointed with the result. It is not as impressive as you expected. Well, God anticipated that result when he gave you the assignment. He is pleased with it and will do further work. Unfortunately, your anticipated result was contrary to God’s will. It emanated from your desires and was designed to elevate you in the eyes of man. Scripture says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

Heavenly Father, we praise you because your will is being done. Help us to submit our desires to you and humbly accept yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

There Is Another Way

Grace and peace be unto you.

The story is told that John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. He left them while they were at Pamphylia preaching the gospel. No reason was given for his untimely departure. Paul and Barnabas eventually returned from their journey and did other assignments. After a while, they decided to revisit the cities where there were believers to see how they were doing. However, a serious conflict arose because Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, and Paul refused due to his prior desertion. Neither of them relented, hence they agreed to go on separate journeys. Consequently, Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus while Paul took Silas to Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:38-41).   

Interestingly, the Holy Spirit had previously instructed the church at Antioch to set aside Barnabas and Paul for the work he had called them (Acts 13:1-3). It was initially understood that they should travel as a team on their missionary journeys but the disagreement changed that understanding. And so, they formed different teams and travelled separately, but the Lord’s work was accomplished. Perhaps the Lord used the disagreement to show Paul and Barnabas that there was a different way to accomplish their assignment.

Are you considering starting a divine assignment with your partner? Is there an issue germane to the assignment that cannot be resolved? Maybe God desires both of you to separate, take on different partners, and go in different directions. Scripture says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Our Heavenly Father, we praise you because you are worthy of all honor and praise. Your ways are higher than ours, likewise your thoughts. Please help us to use disagreements as opportunities to complete our assignments. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

13 Bible Verses About Character

Grace and peace be unto you.

1. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9).

2. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:14).

3. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. (Proverbs 11:3).

4. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity and dignity. (Titus 2:7).

5. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Galatians 5:22).

6. Gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:23).

7. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. (Romans 5:3).

8. And endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:4).

9. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5).

10. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2).

11. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, (2 Peter 1:5).

12.And knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, (2 Peter 1:6).

13. And godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:7).

Emulating God’s Heart And Mind

Grace and peace be unto you.

The story is told that the teachers of the law and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in adultery. They asked him if she should be stoned to death according to the Mosaic Law. He advised them that the person who was without sin should throw the first stone. They slowly walked away one by one. Jesus then instructed the woman to go and sin no more (John 8:3-11). 

God forgave the Scribes and Pharisees for their many sins. Still yet, they humiliated the woman and brought her before Jesus. Furthermore, they wanted to know if she should be killed. When we do not reflect on God’s mercy towards us, we can be cruel and legalistic towards others. God is pleased when we recognize that he forgives everyone who seeks forgiveness. He desires that we emulate him and forgive everyone as the need arises (Ephesians 4:32).  

The Mosaic Law states that the man and woman caught in adultery should be stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:22-25). Hence, it is unclear why the man was not also brought to Jesus. Even so, this is an example of how we sometimes deal with situations from our biased perspective, that is, the rules are applicable to some people but not others. Interestingly, God’s perspective is different, his rules are applicable to everyone and there are no exceptions.

Have you embraced God’s perspective? Do you manage situations based on biblical principles? Heavenly Father, we praise you because you are forgiving and just. Help us to portray these qualities in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

A Prayer For Our Children

Grace and peace be unto you.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. (Matthew 19:14-15).

Heavenly Father, we praise you for you are high and lifted up. Please forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. We pray for every child at this moment. Each one is created in your image for your purpose and glory. Place a hedge of protection around them and provide their daily needs. Surround them with responsible, loving and caring families, and adults. We come against every plan of the enemy on their lives and declare that it will not prevail. May your divine will be fulfilled in their lives.

Thank you for answering this prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Secret To Bearing Fruit

Grace and peace be unto you.

Heavenly Father, we praise you because you are Sovereign. Help us to practice regular study of your Word, continuous prayer, and praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.