Grace

Webster defines graces as…
unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification

KJV Dictionary defines grace as…
Favor; good will; kindness; disposition to oblige another;
Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:7

Grace is the love of God shown to all men regardless of status, race, size, or appearance. It’s the peace of God that calms even the most anxious soul. It’s the undeserved favor of God.

It’s not getting what we deserve. We deserve eternal damnation in the pits of hell. Yet, God, who is rich in mercy, loved us enough to sacrifice His only begotten Son (Ephesians 2:4). He gave us the eternal Hope of salvation.

God’s grace sought us out even though we have nothing in return to give. His love is unconditional. Grace can turn a life around from hopelessness to one full of hope & vitality.

Additional Scripture:
Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Hebrews 4:16, James 4:6, Psalm 103:8, Titus 2:11-12, 2 Peter 3:18

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I may not know how everything works, but please help me to trust You more. Without You nothing else makes sense. Thank you that Your grace is sufficient in times of need. I ask that you help my family and I to grow in grace and in the knowledge of You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Hymns of Praise:
1. Amazing Grace
2. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
3. ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
4. Grace Greater Than Our Sin
5. To God Be the Glory

Goodness

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Galatians 5:22

Webster defines Goodness as the state of being good the physical qualities which constitute value, excellence, or perfection; as the goodness of timber; the goodness of soil.  1. The moral qualities which constitute Christians excellence; moral virtue; religion.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines Goodness as In man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.

The word good appears 720 times in the Bible. Goodness appears 51 times.  God is good.  It pleases Him to bestow goodness on His people.

Matthew 7:11 tells us that every good tree bringeth forth good fruit.  In order for goodness of God to overflow in our lives, goodness must abound in our hearts (Matthew 6:45).

If I am controlled by the Holy Spirit, I will do good unto others hoping for nothing again (Luke 6:35).

Whatever your occupation in life, God intends us to display goodness to those around us.  Galatians 6:10 tells us that we are to do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household of faith.

Goodness is kindness in action.  It has been said that “kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see”.  It is allowing God’s Spirit to work through you to be of help and bring a bit of hope and happiness to others.

Goodness is simply a heart that works at meeting the needs of others. 

Kindness

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Character Trait: Kindness

Definition:

av1611.com defines kindness as disposed to do good to others; and to make them happy by granting their requests, supplying their wants or assisting them in distress; having tenderness or goodness of nature

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

It is easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. Showing kindness especially to those who are undeserving speaks volumes about how we are allowing God to work in our lives. 

Being kind is much more than giving a simple smile or being polite. It’s exemplifying a Christ-like attitude by looking for ways to be a blessing to others.

Additional Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:15, Galatians 5:22-23, Luke 6:35, Proverbs 21:21, Psalm 117:2, Proverbs 19:22, Proverbs 31:26, Isaiah 54:8, Ephesians 2:7, Hebrews 13:2, Galatians 6:10, Luke 6:35, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Matthew 7:12, Colossians 3:12

Prayer:

Lord, help us to be kind in thought, in word, and in deed. Teach us to humbly follow in Your footsteps as we search the Scriptures. Allow Your gentle Spirit of kindness to dwell within us that we may be a light shining brightly drawing others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Hymns of Praise:

1. He Lifted Me

2. Bringing in the Sheaves

3. Others

4. O to Be Like Thee

5. Rescue the Perishing

Gentleness

Gentleness

When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, the Fruit of the Spirit will show as a result.  Gentleness is not meekness.  It is more than being tender; it involves having a humble heart and being kind towards others (Ephesians 4:32). 

The Greek word in Galatians 5:23 for gentleness is Prautes, which means to submit one’s strength in a posture of meekness. Gentleness is defined as kindness, consideration, a spirit of fairness and compassion.  We will be gentle with others once we submit ourselves to God.

Gentleness is not a lack of convictions or weakness.  It isn’t about being double minded, indecisive, or wimpy.  It’s refusing to use power to hurt others.  Rather, it means we value the soul of the person we share God’s truths with and treat them as a person fashioned in the image of God.

Jesus gave a great example of gentleness just prior to His death.  In Luke 22:50-52, we see that while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, a great multitude came to betray and arrest Him.  In attempts to defend Jesus, Peter drew his sword struck off the ear of the servant of the high priest.  Our Lord’s reaction was not to pat Peter on the back for a job well done, nor scold Peter for only getting his ear.  Rather, Jesus touched the servant’s ear and healed him.  This was a great act of gentleness and consideration.

When the gentleness of Christ flows through us, we will want what’s best for others. 

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