Life in Christ and Kindness

Plummer says "kindness" refers to the "sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain."

On the tongue of the virtuous woman is "the law of kindness" (Proverbs 31:26).

Three questions for us:

1. What is on my tongue?

2. Is the Holy Spirit leading me to speak kind words?

3. Or, do I allow my flesh to speak sharp, condescending, discouraging words?

Jason Cicero

GOD, Kindness, and His People

Plummer says "kindness" refers to the "sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain."

Jehovah God treated the nation of Israel with "gentle (kind) cords, with bands of love" (Hosea 11:4).

Jehovah God demonstrates His kindness toward us in Jesus Christ: "...that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

GOD is Kind

Our GOD is love (1 John 4:8). Love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Therefore, GOD is kind.

Plummer says "kindness" refers to the "sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain."

His kindness is described as "marvelous" (Psalm 31:21), "great" (Joel 2:13), "everlasting" (Isaiah 54:8), and "abundant" (Nehemiah 9:17).

Know the LORD - He is kind.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." (Revelation 22:5; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Appreciate an old passage.

Make a new friend.

Help a stranger feel at home.

Reflect on a familiar song.

Call somebody you’ve missed.

Jason Moore

This Amazing Assemblage

Hebrews 11 has been described as an "amazing assemblage." Men and women who lived by faith are held up as examples of how GOD would have us live today. By faith, the men and women of Hebrews 11 glorified Jehovah.

Of all the names, perhaps the most surprising is Samson. When you read Judges 13-16 you see that Samson fell short in his relationships with others. Yet, there he is in Hebrews 11:32. Consider what is said of those in Hebrews 11 in verses 30-40 and appreciate that those things are true of Samson too.

Living by faith doesn't mean that we always get it right. It means that when we get it wrong we turn to Him. There is grace, mercy and forgiveness to be found in Him. Samson found it. Will we? If so, He will add our names to His "amazing assemblage."

Jason Cicero

Samson Lived By Faith

"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson..." (Hebrews 11:32; NKJV).

Samson fell short of GOD'S glory. He was strong in the Lord, but weak in his relationships with women. He was led by women to sin against Jehovah. Yet, he died in faith. His sacrificed his life as an act of faith in GOD and to GOD'S glory in taking out so many of the Philistines.

It's not how you start; it's how you finish.

Jason Cicero

Samson Called Unto Jehovah

"And Samson called unto Jehovah..." (Judges 16:28; ASV)

In the days of the Judges life was about relationships. Manoah had a good relationship with Jehovah. He prayed to true and living GOD as his personal Lord.

Samson's relationship with Jehovah was strong. He struggled in his relationships with women. Yet, in the end, he prayed and Jehovah answered (Judges 16:28-31).

Draw near to Jehovah and pray His blessings on your relationships with others.

Jason Cicero

Samson's Dad

Manoah lived in the days of the Judges. He watched his people sin against Jehovah. He saw the justice of GOD as Jehovah raised up the Philistines to punish His people. Manoah's wife was visited by the Angel of Jehovah. After she told him about the visit, Manoah prayed: "O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born" (Judges 13:8; NKJV).

Samson's dad prayed that Jehovah would teach them what to do for their child.

Follow Manoah's lead. In these difficult days, pray for your children. Allow the Lord to work in your life and in the lives of your kids!

Jason Cicero

A Father's Prayer

Then Manoah prayed to the LORD, and said, "O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born." (Judges 13:8; NKJV)

As we strive to bring our children "up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," we need Him to "teach us what we shall do for the child" (see Ephesians 6:4 and Judges 13:8).

As you raise your children, pray this prayer fervently!

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." (Revelation 22:5; NKJV)

Hidden in My Heart

"He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces." (Psalm 107:14; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Find a new person to encourage.

Find a new passage to appreciate.

Find a new plan for an old problem.

Find a new petition for a needy person.

There’s no excuse for not growing.

Jason Moore

Precious in the Sight of God

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4-5; NKJV)

“very precious in the sight of God…”

The primary definition of "precious" is requiring great outlay, very costly: Mark 14:3.

The secondary definition of "precious" is excellent, of surpassing value (A.V., of great price): 1 Peter 3:4. (Thayer’s).

Be precious in the sight of God!

Jason Cicero

A Quiet Spirit

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:3-4).

“…a quiet…spirit…”

Indicates "tranquillity arising from within," causing no disturbance to others. It is translated "quiet" in 1 Tim 2:2, RV (KJV, "peaceable"); "quiet" in 1 Peter 3:4, where it is associated with "meek," and is to characterize the spirit or disposition (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words).

Jason Cicero

A Gentle Spirit

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:3-4; NKJV)

“…a gentle…spirit…”

Denotes "meekness…it is an inwrought grace of the soul; and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God. It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words).

Jason Cicero

Be Mindful of GOD When You Adorn Yourself

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:3-4; NKJV).

Be mindful of GOD when you adorn yourself.

Verb – primarily "to arrange, to put in order" (Eng., "cosmetic"), is used of one's person, 1 Tim 2:9; 1 Peter 3:5; Rev 21:2

Noun – "a harmonious arrangement or order,” decent, modest, 1 Tim 2:9; 3:2 (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words)

When you adorn yourself, “…let it be the hidden person of the heart…which is very precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:4).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Tomorrow we will consider the lesson, "Whose Builder and Maker is GOD."

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:8-10; NKJV

Jason Cicero

Fear

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all" (Ecclesiastes 12:13; NKJV).

"Fear" has two definitions. The primary definition has to do with "dread, terror." The secondary definition has to do with reverence, respect for authority, rank, dignity (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words).

GOD would have us do both. He would have us dread his severity and reverence His holiness. Fear GOD.

Jason Cicero

Chaste

"...when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear." (1 Peter 3:2; NKJV)

"Chaste" means pure from every fault, immaculate (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words).
Strong's defines "chaste" as properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect. "Chaste" primarily, has to do with holiness.

"...because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:16; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

Submission

"Therefore submit to God..." (James 4:7; NKJV)

The Greek word for "submission" is primarily a military term that means "to rank under." It is a compound word from hupo, "under," and tasso, "to arrange." It denotes to put in subjection, to subject, and in the middle or passive voice, it means to subject oneself, to obey, be subject to (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words).

Our Father, our elder brother, and the Holy Spirit are worthy of our submission.

Jason Cicero

The Lamb Will Overcome Them

Question: How can we overcome those who make war? (Revelation 6:15-17; 16:14; 17:14; 19:15-21; Psalm 2:8-9)

Answer: Through Christ!

"These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14; NKJV)