Clothed with kindness, compassion . . .

These numbers mean anything?

Acts of Kindness; Don’t wait! – Devotional (1Chr19:1-3; Col3:12) Eagle Flats

646, 2996, 6000, $10b, do those numbers mean anything to you?

6:46 (CST) is the time the first plane struck World trade center

2996 is the number of lives lost, 6000 other lives were incurred, and over $10b in structural damages just there not counting the pentagon or a lowly field in PA where people fought back and the plane was crashed losing the lives of 153 people on flight 93. (expand on this)

The response was overwhelming, people gathered to help, to pray, to support, to give including blood, clothing over their very backs to provide bandages for injured. Churches were packed for the weeks to follow and Ms. Manners (columnist) Judith Martin reported that people had returned to civility, her plea was please let’s make it last.

Kindness should be our ordinary, not extraordinary response to catastrophic events. With the recent fires, hurricanes people have stepped up and out and opened their hearts and checkbooks to help people.

Now let me give some biblical references and application regarding acts of kindness.

1 Chronicles 19:1 NASB95

1 Now it came about after this, that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon died, and his son became king in his place.

1 Chronicles 19:2 NASB95

2 Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon to Hanun to console him.

1 Chronicles 19:3 NASB95

3 But the princes of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David is honoring your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?”

David’s intention was to show kindness and compassion. David’s intentions were misinterpreted and the kings men humiliated David’s men

1Cor19:4

1 Chronicles 19:4 NASB95

4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle as far as their hips, and sent them away.

The end was not what was planned by David and his men, to give honor to a friend, Nahash, it ended up in war

God extended His kindness to us by sending Jesus

Romans 5:6 NASB95

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

While God did that for us we are then challenged to clothe ourselves to reflect God’s kindness.

Colossians 3:12 NASB95

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Colossians 3:13 NASB95

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Colossians 3:14 NASB95

14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

We as the body of Christ, clothed in Christ are to show love to others, we are to forgive, we are to be patient, gentle, humble, show kindness and have a heart of compassion. Why? Because we have been chosen by God.

We need not wait for a 9/11, raging fires, powerful hurricanes to extend loving-kindness. Take time to look, to pay attention to those around you. Who is hurting, who could use a listening ear, a warm hug, a word of encouragement? Maybe even a shoulder to cry on or a outstretched hand to help up our help out.

It doesn’t matter where we are at to be able to do this, we need to do this where we are at. Don’t miss an opportunity to show kindness and compassion to people, you may be the one the Lord wants to use to do it!