Let Your Gentleness Shine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDNA2O7eNhM

Waves ~ Worship Central

 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ~ Philippians 4:5 NIV

 

“Let your gentleness be evident to all” seems an odd statement. But it makes sense in reference to Paul’s earlier letter to the Philippians. Paul said if they’d received anything from their relationship with Christ or His Spirit—encouragement, comfort, fellowship with Holy Spirit, tenderness, or compassion—they needed to share it. Shine it. They were to be an example of what they had experienced or seen, (Philippians 2:1-4). Paul called on them—as we are also called—to have the same mindset, love, nature, and purpose as Christ.

 

Paul was bold in his speaking because “The Lord is near.” “Nearness” is not about distance, but about time. The return of Christ is soon. However, knowing that God doesn’t view time like we do, Jesus said, But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father… Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come,” (Matthew 24:36,42 NIV). Because the time of Christ is near, Paul implores believers to let our gentleness shine. In a world that’s harsh, full of so much anger and hate, Paul knew it would be our gentleness that would draw people to us, allowing us to point them to Jesus.

 

Some days and seasons will be easier, while others will be a struggle. Regardless of the events or emotions of the day or season, remember:

1.       Rejoice always – it produces joy

2.       Let your gentleness shine – it points others to Jesus

©Heather Potts 2023

His Faithfulness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuPP2Kxyo00

There is a King/What Would You Do ~ Elevation Worship

...great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:23 NIV

My heart sank when I saw the actual bill total. I knew it was coming, but it was almost double what we expected. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of “making plans” for the difference. Brad tried to remind me of God’s faithfulness in the past, saying our plans were only slightly delayed. I confess that my emotions were so charged that thinking rationally or logically wasn’t going to happen. All I could see was that our plans were ruined, and it hurt.

Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that the Lord’s faithfulness is a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, so that we won’t have to feel the pain of consequences. But it’s not. Faithful means trustworthy, to make secure. As our Father, God allows us to feel the pain of our choices to help us understand the consequences. But He’s faithful to walk with us through them, as He knows and sees how it hurts us to endure.

Though it hurts to part with such a large amount of money, my mistake wasn’t in underestimating the amount owed. My mistake was in forgetting to Whom this money belonged. But even in my mistake and in getting mad that I had to part with it, the Lord showed His faithfulness, again, by allowing me to see that He provided enough to cover this bill before I knew it was owed.

Perhaps during this COVID-19 season you’ve lost perspective and have forgotten the Lord’s faithfulness. Today is a great day to remind yourself, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is [His] faithfulness,” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV).

©Heather Potts 2020

His Deep-Seated Love

The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. ~ James 5:11 AMP

After Brad’s heart surgery, my friend Nichole would come up to the hospital.  Everybody else came to see Brad.  She came just to check on me.  Since they kept the hospital just above freezing, we would sit outside in the October heat, just to thaw.  Once outside, I would ramble and she would listen.  She and I have just as many things in common as not.  And over the years, it’s proven to be the perfect combination that cements our friendship.

Mercy and compassion cause one to be inclined toward another in sympathy, but also compels action.  Instead of Nichole saying, “I feel badly for them,” her compassion toward us caused her to come to the hospital and sit quietly with me until I felt better, or at least until I thawed.  And that’s how the Lord works in the hearts of His people.  He lays His deep-seated love for us in the hearts of others to compel them to call, show up, make a meal, or any number of things just to remind us how much He loves us and to show us that we are not alone.

The compassion that God has for us is part of His unconditional love.  It won’t go away, because He’ll never stop pursuing us.  He loves us too much.

Thank you, Father, that You never stop pursuing us.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2016