“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

You may not be familiar with the name, Stephen Grellet. Grellet was born in France, was a Quaker, and died in New Jersey in 1855. That’s about all we know about him, except for a few lines he penned that have made him immortal: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good I can do, or any kindness that I can show any human being, let me do it now and not defer it. For I shall not pass this way again.”

One day a man came to Jesus and asked Him what the most important verse was in the Bible. Jesus said, “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s the whole essence of Christianity. That summarizes the whole law and all the prophets. What was Jesus saying? He was saying that nothing matters more than relationships. NOTHING. Your relationship to God and to other people.
Jesus also said that the hallmark of being a Christian is love. By this shall all men know you are His disciple. Not that you have Bible knowledge, but that you love. The word for love in action is “kindness.” Kindness is simply love in action. It is not a feeling. It is something you do.

The teacher asked the pupils to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little boy jumped up and said, “Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread & butter, that would be kindness. But if they put peanut butter & jelly on it, that would be loving-kindness.”

“Jesus is the kindness of God.” (Titus 3:4)

How is Jesus Kind to me?
He understands my weakness – Read Hebrews 4:15-16
He tells me the truth – Read John 8:32
He forgives my sin – Read Romans 3:23-24
He affirms my worth – Read Psalm 139:16-17

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time

Read Ephesians 4:32

Woudn’t it be wonderful if Christians were known by their kind spirit instead of their judgmental spirit?
In the early days of Christianity, there was some confusion among the pagans concerning the words “chrestos” which means kind, and “Christos” which means Christ, and the confusion carried over into uncertainty as to whether these strange people wer followers of someone they called Christos or whether they had a religion based on kindness. A most fortunate point of confusion!

2.) Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, you have permission to reveal any wrong motive in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anyone whom I need to show kindness to as I enter this day?”

3.) Confession time
Q: Am I kind to others when I see their weakness?
Q: Do I tell the truth in love?
Q: Do I affirm the worth of those around me?

Spend a few moments in confession or your “poor” areas.

4.) Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read Luke 10:29-37 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Ask yourself, “Would I react like the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan?”

5.) Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind.

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

7.) Petition Time
How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things”
Be honest with God
Pray “Thy will be done”

Prayer Requests

8.) Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing God has impressed upon me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to Take in My Obedience to God:

9.) Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – (Hebrews 10:24)

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – God’s Word teaches that success in life plus failure in relationships = failure. Make a list of people with who you are experiencing failure relationally.

Wednesday – Commit yourself to the restoration of this relationship. Read Romans 12:18.

Thursday/Friday – It’s interesting to me that in Matthew 25, Jesus says that on Judgment Day, the one thing you’ll be judged for is how you treated other people. “I was thirsty and you gave me drink, naked and you clothed me, sick and in prison and you visited me.” What we’re talking about is the heart of Christianity –
Love in action.

For the next 12 days, minister to Christ by ministering to a hurting person.