We were sitting in the “break room” having lunch. I had been invited to eat with the employees to “connect” with a young man who was having serious financial and marital problems. When he finished eating, he took his plastic dinnerware to the sink, washed them, wrapped them in a napkin and put them in his pocket.
Another employee noticed what he did and said, “Wow, you’re really having it tough. Want mine too? No doubt your family could use them.”

When those words pierced his heart, he burst into tears, dropped his head to his chest and stood quietly, not knowing what to say. One more blow to overcome on his path to survival.

I walked up to him, put my arm around his shoulder and said, “I’ve gone through difficult times, too. I’m glad I had to do without when I was your age because now I understand your feelings and know you will survive.”

The one who “oppresses the poor” is not a friend of God. In fact, such behavior is a reflection of their attitude toward the One who created both of them. If anyone has contempt for anyone it spills over onto God - for He gave life to both of them and they are equal in His sight. His Son died for both of them - as He did for each of us.Whatever anyone has is a gift from God to be used to honor Him. Jesus made that extremely clear when He said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” When we share with those in need, as Solomon said, we honor God.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we ask for hearts filled with compassion to care for those in need as You care for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

A mother gave her son two beautiful apples, but one was larger and shinier than the other. Placing them in his hands, and wishing to teach him about sharing, she instructed him to “Give your little sister her choice.”

A short time later, she noticed that he had kept the bigger one for himself. So, she asked, “Why didn’t you give your sister her choice?”

“I did,” came the reply. “I gave her the choice of the little one or none at all. And she took the little one.”

There is a lot of selfishness even in the smallest of us. Size has little to do with whether or not we are self-centered or God-centered. It is easy to save rather than to share, to get rather than to give, to hoard rather than to help, to protect rather than to promote.

Paul reminds us that “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Prayer: Help me, Heavenly Father, to realize that the needs of others are an opportunity for me to give to them as You have given to me. May I be sensitive to others who are without the necessities of life, and share with them out of the abundance You have given me–especially Your salvation. In Your Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 2:1-8  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

The Bible was not written to teach psychology. But, the Bible is psychologically sound and correct.
Consider Proverbs 12:25: “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” The writer does not profess to be a diagnostician but he certainly is insightful.

Recently a study on “anxiety disorders” concluded that 40 million Americans, or 18.1% of our population, are  plagued with fears that, from time to time, trouble them. It is also a known fact that anxiety can lead to depression.

From wisdom that comes from God, Solomon made the same “diagnosis.” Notice that he said, “Anxiety weighs down the heart.” The words “weigh down” imply a state of depression. Our author, with God’s guidance, described people whose anxiety is coupled with fear or worry - which can lead to depression.

All of us, at one time or another, have had those moments when we feared that something horrible was about to overtake or destroy us. When those feelings came to the “surface” it was natural to feel “weighted down” or depressed. It is normal to look for encouragement and support when that happens. How tragic if no one was there to help us or share a “kind word to cheer us up.”

Notice, however, that Solomon was not talking to a behavioral health specialist. He was talking to people like us who have the ability to recognize the lonely, the sad, the worried, the anxious and depressed. Often people only need a “word” of grace, comfort, encouragement or...simply a smile to bring them hope, health and happiness.

Prayer:  We thank You, Father, for giving us Your love to share with others. May we be alert to those in need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

“Larry,” says Bruce every time he sees me with my dog, “you need to change her name to ‘Lucky.’ I can’t  imagine anyone who would take better care of that dog than you. It’s plain to me she’s not Bella. She’s ‘Lucky’ - really lucky she found you.” Here’s what happened...

One dark, stormy, cold, foggy night I opened the door to our carport. Sensing something at my foot, I looked down. There, looking up at me, was a small dog wagging her tail and wiggling all over as if to say, “I’m home!”

For weeks Mary and I searched for her owners but were unsuccessful. Then, we tried to find her another home. That didn’t work either. Every time we gave her away, she eventually came back. So, we decided to keep her and named her “Bella,” which means “beautiful.”

When reading through Proverbs several months ago, I noticed a verse that had never registered in my mind: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals.” Please understand that I am not claiming to be righteous, nor elevating animals to the level of humans. But notice this:

A distinct contrast is made by the author between a person who is righteous and one who is not: the one who is righteous has a gentleness that the wicked do not have. And, if one is truly righteous, it becomes obvious: if we as believers willingly give our hearts completely to God, He will remove every trace of “cruelty.” He will control us and bless us and enable us to demonstrate how much we value every gift He gives us - even animals. We expose who we truly are by the way we care for each gift God gives us.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, implant within us a gentle, gracious and loving heart. May we respect all of Your gifts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

It was the final set in a tennis match. One of the players had demonstrated his strength and skill as his opponent struggled to stay competitive. Suddenly the player who had been doing so well began to hit the ball outside of the lines, into the net and even miss the ball completely. It seemed as though he had lost his focus.
His father approached him during a break and asked, “Keller, what’s going on? You were doing so good and now you may lose the match and not go to the state finals. What’s going on?” he demanded.

“It’s O.K., Dad. Let me alone. I know I can win. I’ve been missing the balls on purpose. I don’t want him to feel bad about losing. I want to encourage him.”

Keller did go on to win. But in the process he not only thought of “doing a kindness” but actually showed what kindness “looked like” to someone who was struggling to defeat him and win the match.

Life gives us many opportunities to “do kindness.” In fact, God “makes them available” each day. For example, we can open a door for a senior citizen; or be gracious and express our gratitude to a cashier during the rush hour at a grocery store; or give a smile to someone who looks like they need encouragement; or give a compliment to one who is guiding us when we place an order on the phone or take care to explain something that is unfamiliar to us.

“Doing kindness” is one of the most important things we Christians can do. It represents what God’s grace is all about. If an opportunity to “do kindness” appears, seize it!

Prayer: Help us to be alert, Lord, for opportunities to show Your grace through acts of kindness and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 109:16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.

Paul was a serious first grade student always striving to do his best. However, he had difficulty with his hearing and there were times when others became impatient with him.

But his Sunday school teacher, Miss Murphy, was always kind and gracious, going out of her way to help him. One Sunday morning she lovingly taught him to recite the twenty-third Psalm from memory.

Hurrying home, he anxiously stood in front on his mother and repeated it perfectly, except for the last verse. Looking at his Mom with excitement and pride he said, “Surely Good Miss Murphy shall follow me forever.” He changed it to end with a hope and a prayer.

Everyone needs a “Good Miss Murphy” nearby when we are having difficulties with the issues of life. Someone who goes the extra mile in helping us solve our problems, give us a word of encouragement or a smile when we have little to be happy about. It is the “Good Miss Murphys” of God’s Kingdom who show His love, give others a portion of His grace and show others what the love of Christ is about.

There’s one more lesson here. All of us can be “Good Miss Murphys.” Acts of kindness and deeds of thoughtfulness are expressions of God’s love that we can put on display every day if we are alert to others.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we be quick to see and respond to the pains and problems of those around us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

A deacon phoned his pastor who was on vacation in a distant city. When he answered the call, the deacon blurted out, “Pastor, a cyclone just came through our county and destroyed my house and barn.”

“I’m not surprised,” he replied. And continued, “The punishment for sin is inevitable!”

“But Pastor,” continued the deacon, “it destroyed your house as well.”

“It did?” exclaimed the pastor. “The ways of the Lord are past human understanding.”

There are times when it is difficult to offer love and kindness to those whom we feel do not deserve it. Our responses to another person’s trials and tragedies often come from a distorted view of God’s love. We are inclined to look at what happens to others from a normal, human response and believe that “they got what they deserved.”

When we realize the kindness of God to us, and truly realize how undeserving we are, perhaps we may see things differently. If God does not hold anything good from us, should He not treat others the same?

Prayer: Lord, may we look at others the same way You do - with love, kindness, care and compassion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.

Read Galatians 6:1-2 NIV

Disappointed with life, a fellow decided to drink his troubles away. Stumbling out of a bar, he came face to face with his minister.

“Pastor,” he cried, “I hate for you to see me like this!”

“But God sees you,” replied the man of God.

“Yeah,” admitted the fellow, “but He keeps it to Himself.”

When someone is overcome by sin, don’t prey on him. Pray for him. It’s not condemnation he needs, but compassion and a cure.

St. Paul said, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens.”

Prayer: Father, expand our hearts and our minds with the deepest concern for the blessedness of others. Help us to act in love and to speak with kindness this day. Constrain us to pray for others: through Christ. Amen.

Read Ephesians 4:32

Legend tells of a man who majored on misery. Every time someone was unkind to him he would pick up a stone, put it in a sack, and carry the stone filled sack on his back. Soon the burden broke his heart and his health.

It’s healthier to remove a grudge than to retain it, and you’ll be much happier.

Forgiveness turns adversaries into allies, barriers into bridges, remorse into radiance, and it bears the imprint of the Son of God.

The Bible says, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”

Be kind to others, won’t you?

Prayer: Fill my heart with Thy love, Father. Take away my meanness, and give me Thy kindness. Deliver me from impatience, and give me Thy patience. Save me from pride, and give me Thy humility. Love others through me: in Christ’s name. Amen.