Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Proverbs 11:17
A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

Chances are you aren’t a malevolent villain with no regard for the feelings of others. Those kinds of characters are the ones you probably think of when you imagine a “cruel” person, but being mean is something we’ve all done. When somebody gets your order wrong or says something that pushes your buttons, it feels good to repay wrong with wrong. But in the end, hate just leads to more hate, and the cycle is bound to continue until someone has the grace to forgive. Be kind to others and show them the same grace that Christ shows you every day.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Tuesday, January 17, 2023
1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

It’s easy to say kind things that you don’t mean. A simple “I hope you’re doing well,” or “I’m praying for you,” can go a long way, but only when it’s true. When you show kindness to people, you shouldn’t do it just to check off a box during your day; selfless acts come from the heart, and from your relationship with God. Love people, and care for them more than yourself. Pray with the people that need it and help to bear their sadness as a brother or sister in Christ. However, you decide to show true kindness to others, show it not just through words, but through your actions.

Monday, January 16, 2023

Monday, January 16, 2023
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

All human beings were created by God and are loved deeply by Him. But one hundred years ago, not all people in our country were viewed as “created equal.” The brave men and women who fought for their freedom understood that we are all equally sinful, equally valuable, and equally forgiven in the eyes of God. The color of your skin doesn’t matter; we are all one in Christ Jesus. If it’s the Lord’s will that none should perish, then everyone deserves to be treated with the dignity and kindness befitting a child of God.

Friday, January 13, 2023

Friday, January 13, 2023
Isaiah 64:8
But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Every time you go through something, whether it’s easy, hard, or just not your favorite thing, look at each situation as a chance for the Lord to mold you. A chance for God to shape you into someone stronger, with a faith that cannot be shaken. If you learn and grow from your experiences, you’re giving Christ the opportunity to make you more like Him. Having that perspective when life gets tough allows you to come out from the other side better for it, knowing that He is working in you. If you are the clay, God is the potter; we are all the work of His hand.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Thursday, January 12, 2023
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I think that we as Christians often hesitate to listen to that little voice. The voice that says, “you should pay for the person behind you in the drive through,” or “that person looks down, you should go talk to them.” You’ve probably heard it, and you’ve probably forced yourself to ignore it because the suggestions seem silly or unnecessary. But sometimes you need to leave your comfort zone and trust that voice, even if you don’t see the benefit of what you are doing right now. Little acts of kindness can go a long way toward impacting someone more than you know. God has a plan for every kind act, and we can be His hands and feet by listening to His voice.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Ephesians 4:22-23
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.

What does it mean to “put off the old self?” It means that when you become a Christian, you don’t have to live the way you did before. Sin has been defeated, and it no longer gets to run rampant in your life. Whereas the old you might not have had a problem disobeying God’s commandments, the new you hesitates while remembering the agony that Christ suffered to atone for those mistakes. But the choice is still yours. Every day, distance yourself from sin and the temptation to sin, focusing on God. By making Him your first priority, you’ll live in a way that the “old self” never would.