2020-02-11
1 Peter 3:8 NKJV
Compassion means “to enter into another’s passion.” How can you do that? You might, for example, find out why the other person is so stressed or depressed. What’s preoccupying them, why do they feel so passionately, and how can you enter into it? Or maybe a friend has been diagnosed with an illness, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, or cancer. What should you do? Maybe your brother or cousin is planning a high-end wedding or has bought a new home in an upscale neighbourhood. Perhaps an associate just got promoted and the rest of their coworkers are envious and resentful. Attitudes are fickle at best – and outright ugly at worst. But the person who got promoted is beaming, so enter into their passion and beam with them! Maybe someone you know just lost a loved one and you don’t know what to say. Don’t say anything; just “be there”! The Bible says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 NKJV). In other words, if someone is hurting, hurt with them, and if they’re happy, be happy for them. Enter into their passion – that’s how you show compassion! In an effort to look holy, sometimes we come across as harsh and insensitive. Here’s how Paul addressed that very issue: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves…clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NLT). Some of us have to work harder at this than others. But there’s no opt-out clause: “All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another.” That includes you!
Soul food: Isa 63-66; Matt 13:36-46; Ps 138; Prov 4:14-17
2020-02-10
James 5:11 NKJV
When it comes to Christlike compassion, the Bible teaches us two more things. Compassion: (1) Relates to the needs of others. Paul writes, “Jesus…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do” (Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT). Jesus understands – how comforting! Whatever situation, challenge, or adversity we find ourselves in, Jesus is saying, “I can relate. I’ve been there.” Pressure? Rejection? Pain? Temptation? Slander? Lies? False accusations? He understands because He’s been there. (2) Responds to the needs of others. It’s not enough just to recognize and relate to the needs of others. You’ve been called to action on a practical level; otherwise, your compassion is meaningless. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to lost people with the good news of the Gospel. Compassion has no limits. It sponsors a hungry child, helps change a tire for someone stranded on the side of the road, brings a meal to someone who’s grieving, and listens patiently to someone who needs a friend. Compassion gets its hands dirty; it writes checks; it sacrifices its own agenda, schedule, desires, and dreams to meet the needs of another. The Bible says: “God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38 NKJV). What’s your main concern in life – looking good or doing good? If you want to be more like Jesus, you already know the answer to that question!
Soul food: Isa 58-62; Matt 13:24-35; Ps 134; Prov 4:5-13
2020-02-09
Luke 10:33 NKJV
Many dictionaries define compassion as sympathy, pity, or concern – all emotional responses. But the compassion of Jesus transcends emotion and translates into action. Christlike compassion: (1) Recognizes the needs of others. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV). Note the phrase “better than himself,” and then look around you at the people in your life and say to yourself, “Better than myself.” If you tend to be self-centered, it will take a while for this concept to sink in. Note also the words, “look out…for the interests of others.” Sometimes those “others” are badly messed up and not easy to love. For example, how about people in prison? You say, “Well, they got what they deserved.” Maybe – but did you always get what you deserved or did you just not get caught? Think about it! When you visit someone sick or in prison, Jesus said you’re “doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40 NLT). In Luke 23:43, He showed compassion to a convicted criminal on the cross and saved him. You shouldn’t pick and choose to whom you’ll show compassion! The Bible says, “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14 NKJV). Mother Teresa prayed, “Grant that, even if you are hidden under the unattractive disguise of anger, crime, or madness, I may recognize you and say, ‘Jesus, You who suffer, how sweet it is to serve You.'”
Soul food: Luke 19:11-26; Ps 36:5-9; Heb 10:19-23
2020-02-08
Colossians 3:12 NIV
We all know that we should be kind to others, but it’s not always easy, especially when people are ungrateful or unkind towards us. The Bible tells us that we should ‘clothe’ ourselves with kindness. This suggests it’s something we need to put on each day, rather than something that comes naturally to us. So it’s normal for us to struggle to be kind sometimes. But as Christians, we have to choose kindness, no matter what. The Bible tells us about a Samaritan man who chose kindness. When a Jewish man was attacked and beaten on the road to Jericho, a number of other Jewish people walked straight past. But the Samaritan man stopped and helped. Not only did he choose to be kind to another man, but he chose to be kind to someone who was culturally his ‘enemy’. The Samaritan and Jewish people didn’t mix, but this man ignored that, and helped the injured man. He chose to be kind by cleaning his wounds, taking him to an inn, and paying the expenses. He went above and beyond what was necessary. He put kindness first (you can read the full story in Luke 10). We need to be like that Samaritan man. We need to choose to respond to those around us with kindness, even when we don’t get along with them. When other people aren’t kind to us, we need to decide whether we’re going to let bitterness or kindness win in our hearts. It might feel like a massive challenge to show kindness to them, but the Holy Spirit is there to help us develop it in our lives. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and will be produced in our lives when we let the Spirit lead. Will you choose kindness today?
Isa 53-57; Matt 13:10-23; Ps 125; Prov 4:3-4
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Since the people we deal with every day notice what we wear, the Bible says, “Clothe yourselves with…kindness.” But sometimes kindness is the last thing on our minds. Think about how often you’ve passed a motorist stranded on the road and didn’t stop or even offer to call for help. Or you allowed the business and pressures of work to make you curt and short with others. We need to be like the young man who worked in the produce section of a supermarket. His first day on the job, a lady approached him, wanting to buy half a head of lettuce. He tried to dissuade her, but she persisted. Finally he said, “I’ll have to go back and talk to the manager.” He walked to the rear of the store, not realizing the woman had followed him. When he found the manager, he said, “There’s a silly old lady out there who wants to buy half a head of lettuce. What should I tell her?” Seeing the horrified look on the manager’s face, the boy turned around, saw the customer, regrouped, and said in his most gracious voice, “And this nice lady wants to buy the other half.” Sometimes when you pay someone a compliment, they’ll say, “You’re too kind.” But what they really mean is, “Say it again.” After Confederate General Robert E. Lee retired from the military, he became president of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia. One day a new student came into his office asking for a copy of the rules and regulations. The old general replied, “Son, we don’t have a rule book. Our only rule is kindness.” So today, practice being kind.
Soul food: Isa 53-57; Matt 13:10-23; Ps 125; Prov 4:3-4
2020-02-07
Ecclesiastes 5:19 NLT
Two-thirds of your adult life will be spent earning a living, and God wants you to enjoy it: “To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God.” Try to realize that God has a purpose for your being where you are. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23 NKJV). When you understand that, you begin to rejoice on the job rather than resent it, and believe that God has a plan for your future. It may be a different job, a promotion in your present job, or improving your skill set, which will result in your feeling fulfilled, knowing you are a valued and contributing team member. So with one eye on the present and another on the future, your goal should be to perform your responsibilities with efficiency and professionalism, and glorify the One whose name you carry. Learn all you can from your current position – both in skill building and in character building. Prepare yourself for what God has in mind. So what if others overlook or undervalue you? David’s family didn’t think he was qualified to be Israel’s next king, but God had a different opinion. He also had the last word. There’s an important lesson here for you. Be faithful and seek to excel where God has placed you, and when the time is right He will bless you and promote you. “It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall” (Psalm 75:7 NLT).
Soul food: Isa 49-52; Matt 13:1-9; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
