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

The Lord is Near

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk5WkThbl-A

The Nearness of You ~ Loud Harp

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, ~ Isaiah 61:1 NIV

The events over the past six weeks have been, in most cases, stealing people’s peace, joy, and hope. Everyone has been affected in some way. It has been hard watching Brad wonder how much longer his bosses will be able to pay him, even reduced hours, as they struggle to keep their business afloat. It’s been painful to watch as the girls cry, almost daily, about missing their friends and teachers. My low point was last Tuesday. After allowing the sadness and isolation creep into my heart, I told my small group—who was meeting virtually—that I couldn’t handle one more virtual chat with friends or family. It was too hard to “see” people without being able to be with them. One of the ladies prayed for me, asking God to touch my heart. And, of course, He did.

Over the last week, Holy Spirit has been brining my studies back to the “nearness of God.”

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted… (Psalm 34:18 ESV)

We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near… (Psalm 75:1 NIV)

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18 NIV)

Perhaps these past six weeks have been hard on you and your family, too. Today is a great day to remember that there is hope, because the Lord is near to and is binding up the brokenhearted. Don’t let the enemy win by dragging you into a pit of despair. Instead, stand on His promises and declare, as David did, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along,” (Psalm 40:2 NLT).

©Heather Potts 2020