Gentle: August 14, 2009

TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY AUGUST 14, 2009

GENTLE

Defined by Webster:

Mild in manner or disposition; tender; peaceful; tame; kind.

GODS WORD

“Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very special in the sight of the Lord.” 1 Peter3:4.

“See, your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey.” Matthew 21:5.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29.

“To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:2

WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE

One of the characteristics of Jesus is that He is gentle. Matthew describes Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the coming of a gentle king. Kings are usually tyrants and arrogant and war-like. Jesus is the opposite. He is gentle, humble and peaceful. Jesus is depicted as a shepherd and a shepherd gently leads his sheep and carries the lambs that need help. He never forcefully drives his sheep.

The prophet Isaiah tells of the coming of the Lord and in Isaiah 40:11 says “He will feed His flock like a Shepherd; He will gather His lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are young.” And then Jesus says in Luke 18:16 to let the little children come to Him. The scriptures give us many illustrations on how Jesus was gentle to those He met and how we need to be gentle in all that we do. We need to be gentle to our spouses, to our children, to our family and to our friends. Gentleness requires showing consideration for others. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:5 to “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

Gentleness is a characteristic missing from the lifestyles of most people today. Very rarely do we see a person that we would call gentle. In our family, Dottie is very gentle and Ken is more aggressive. Dottie has always had a very caring attitude toward all kinds of people that always begins with gentleness. This is a trait that we all need to work on daily.

People today are not gentle by nature. In 11Timothy 2:24, the Apostle Paul exhorts us as Christians by saying: “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach and be patient.” The scripture also reminds us that we need wisdom as given to us from God that is pure, peaceable and gentle. James 3:17.

In Proverbs 15:1 it tells us that a gentle or kind answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Our challenge to you today is to be gentle to all that you associate with, treat people with consideration and do all you do gently. We are sure that you will get a response from those who know you that will bless you.

TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER

Help me to be gentle in all that I say to people and in all that I do. May my life radiate to others the love of the Lord through my actions! Help me to be gentle and considerate to my family, to my friends and to my associates.