Here’s a few more words to think on …

LOVINGKINDNESS

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.” (Psalm 63:3-4, NASB)

The word is defined as tender kindness motivated by or expressed in love.

It’s amazing to realize that God extends this to us even though we have done nothing to deserve this expression of love.

Lovingkindness is a fruit of the Spirit. As God extends lovingkindness towards us, we are softened and extend this to others. We become kind and loving because He is kind and loving towards us.

What displays of lovingkindness from God have you received? Do an act of kindness for someone you know today.

One display of lovingkindness from God which comes to mind very often was when my mom was in a Boston Hospital. It was the middle of the night when she came out of surgery. I was the only family member waiting, my husband had taken my dad home because dad was exhausted from the long day. I had to walk from a downstairs area through several passageways alone, unsure of where to go as the hospital was multiple buildings. A very kind doctor came out of nowhere and asked where I was going and offered to get me there safely. I will never forget thinking he was sent by the Lord, and to this day, have appreciated his kindness.

The lovingkindness of our God shows up in small and big ways, but always bring a memorable blessing. May we always look for them!

~*~*~

ABLAZE

“I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!”
(Luke 12:49, NASB)

The verse comes on the heels of a parable told by Jesus of His second coming. In it, Jesus states:

“Blessed is the slave to whom his master find so doing when he comes” (verse 43).

What does He want to find us doing when He comes?

He wants our hearts to be on fire for Him, and loving spending time with Him.

Ablaze –> “excited; eager; zealous; ardent” (from dictionary.com)

It is so easy to be distracted by everything going on around us. We can put things on the back burner (no pun intended) that God intended for us to be doing.

What God given passion has waned in the last year? What is God wanting to set ablaze once again?

May this be our song and prayer …

~*~*~

PAUSE

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10, NASB)

We might define ‘pause’ as stopping or resting. But in looking it up, I was struck by this definition: “a cessation of activity because of doubt or uncertainty” (dictionary.com).

I wonder if at times we keep doing and striving because we think we must handle everything on our own? Do we doubt God will undertake on our behalf?

As I saw the definition, I worded the Scripture this way: Stop doubting and doing and let God be God.

What helps us to pause, gain perspective, and align our day with God?

Often I pause when I realize the day is too much for me to handle on my own. When I cannot fix it, do it, change it, make sense of it, or get it all done – I pause, I stop striving and thinking I can and recognize only God can.

~*~*~

God’s lovingkindness is all around us.
May our hearts be ablaze for Him again,
as we come to know He alone is God.

Photo 1: by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash
Photo 2: by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .