Welcome to the 12th edition of devotional powerful topics we select for you to enrich your research. May God continue to bless you abundantly in the name of Jesus Christ. We have selected seven (7) topics from the theme “Kindness” which you can use for your devotion and develop to minister when working on kindness. They will enrich your lives. You can have access to other editions here.
Day 1: Understanding Kindness
Read Colossians 3: 12-15
Sister Eko is an attractive 35-year-old woman who is married to a man who seems to have no major flaws. Pele, her husband, has rarely raised his voice at her or anyone throughout their 15 years of marriage; he has never hit her. He is a faithful provider and he is good to their children. But Sister Eko is bored. She feels dead inside. She said. “He does not have the slightest idea of who I am. He rarely pays any attention to me, to what I am wearing, to my perfume, Jewellery, or how I feel. He never asks how my day went.” Pele and Sister Eko are members of our church and they are both “Christians”. What is your sincere advice to the couple?
Kindness starts with caring. It is being tender-hearted and compassionate toward others. Kindness is the essence that shows the world that we are Christians, like the fragrance coming from a flower. Therefore, as a believer in Christ, how do l exhibit kindness in my daily life? What can I do to develop an attitude of kindness?
Prayer: O Lord, give me grace to exhibit kindness in the name of Jesus Christ.
Day 2: Kindness as Practical Manifestation of Love
Kindness is the practical manifestation of love. Jesus brought the meaning of kindness to life when He said, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again…” (Luke 6:35, KJV). Love is the root; kindness is the fruit. Love is the substructure; kindness is the upper structure. Love is the perfume; kindness is the aroma.
Every successful father would like his sons to be like him. God is our Father; His utmost desire is that we possess and manifest His attitude. The Lord Jesus makes it categorically clear that God is kind: He is good towards the unthankful and the evil. Now, refusal to show kindness is the manifestation of ungodly nature.
Is it possible to be kind to bad people? Yes, it is. This is why the Lord places that demand on us. Note that He directed His teachings to ordinary day-to-day people like you and I. The Lord believes that you and I can be kind to the most difficult people around. We find profound encouragement in the Bible because it gives the account of people who manifested kindness to unlikely people.
Prayer: Lord, give the grace to manifest love in the name of Jesus Christ.
Day 3: What Is the Significance of Kindness?
Kindness is God’s attitude: He expects us to manifest it all the time so that people around us may know that we are His. The importance of manifesting kindness includes:
God rewards kindness: Every kindness you sincerely show to other people can never go unrewarded. The good news is that God Himself is the One who will reward you for your kindness.
Kindness is a means of fulfilling God’s purpose among people: You must show kindness to other people if you must fulfil God’s purpose for your life. Your life’s purpose is primarily about helping other people meet their needs.
Kindness enhances your faith: Apostle Peter strongly instructs us to add kindness to our faith so that it may become strong and fruitful (2 Peter 1:5-8).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to show kindness in the name of Jesus Christ.
Day 4: Examples of Kindness in the Bible (1)
David to King Saul
King Saul had a deep hatred for David. This hatred started when David killed Goliath on the battlefield and women celebrated David more than they celebrated King Saul. The king’s hatred grew into a desire for murder. He attempted to kill David several times but God delivered David. For about forty years, King Saul pursued David with all his might to destroy him. He pursued him into caves and the wilderness. And David became a wonder who could not enjoy city life. What was David’s response to this royal and powerful enemy? He had a very unusual perspective towards his enemy. One day, David had an opportunity to kill King Saul; King Saul pursued him and became tired and slept in a cave. David’s servants jubilantly urged him to kill his enemy at once, but he refused. Instead, David only cut King Saul’s garment. When King Saul left the cave, David made him realize what had happened. It takes kindness to spare an enemy who is after your life when you have the opportunity to harm him. David showed kindness towards King Saul, his archenemy.
Prayer: Lord, show kindness to me in the name of Jesus Christ.
Day 5: Examples of Kindness in the Bible (2)
In the previous devotion, we discussed “David to King Saul” We shall continue today with “The Good Samaritan”.
Read Luke 10: 30-35
The Good Samaritan: Jesus told a story that strongly illustrates kindness in Luke 10:30-35; it was about the Good Samaritan. The Priest and the Levite refused to show kindness to the man who was robbed and wounded by thieves, unexpectedly a Samaritan did. Kindness is the act of showing goodness or care to another person unconditionally. Most people show kindness to others only when they are sure to get some rewards immediately. The Good Samaritan was different. He showed kindness to someone who did not have the power to pay him back or to give any form of reward. This is the kind of kindness that Jesus teaches.
Prayer: Lord, show kindness to me in the name of Jesus Christ.
Day 6: Examples of Kindness in the Bible (3)
In the previous devotion, we discussed “The Good Samaritan” We shall continue today with “Jesus Christ to Those Who Crucified Him”.
Read Ephesians 2: 7.
Jesus Christ to those Who Crucified Him: The story of Jesus is the story of how God shows kindness to humankind (Ephesians 2:7, KJV). Jesus particularly showed great kindness to unlikely people: the people who crucified Him on the cross (Luke 23:33-34, KJV). Imagine that! This is the greatest demonstration of kindness. Amid pains, Jesus interceded for those who were inflicting pain on Him.
Prayer: Jesus, let my kindness be visible to people in the name of Jesus Christ.
Day 7: How to Develop a Kind Attitude (1)
Read Galatians 5: 16, Colossians 3: 12
You can grow in your attitude of kindness towards others if you
Walk in the Spirit: The Holy Spirit produces kindness; He prompts believers when they need to show kindness to others, believers and unbelievers alike, and teaches them how to do it. You must be sensitive to His promptings. Do not just give alms or render help to strangers, let Him lead you. Walk in the Spirit and you will not miss the leading of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:16 says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”(KJV)
See everyman as God’s image: Your attitude towards people matters: the way you see people will determine how you will treat them. You must see everyone who meets you as the image of God, that is, the person who deserves to receive kindness from you. Whatever you do to a person with that understanding cannot go unrewarded.
Read Colossians 3:12.
Prayer: O Lord, give me grace to develop a good kind attitude in the name of Jesus Christ.
Day 8: How to Develop a Kind Attitude (2)
Read Matthew 5:16, KJV)
In the previous devotion, we discussed “walk in the Spirit and see everyone in God’s image.” We shall continue today with “hardworking”.
Be hardworking: Showing kindness, most of the time will require giving your substance to other people. Hard work becomes necessary because it is a major key to prosperity. When you work hard God will bless you and you will have enough to share with the needy.
Prayer: O Lord, give me grace to develop a good kind attitude in the name of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The Lord Jesus says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16, KJV) Your good work is the kindness you show to other people in need. When you show kindness to people, they will be compelled to thank God.
