Power of Well-Planned Kindness

Key Scripture:  “Love pulls a quilt over bickering.” Proverbs 10:12a, The Message

“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins-forgives and disregards the offenses of others.”  I Peter 4:8, Amplified Bible

Power Point:

I love it when God brings a plan together. When I began writing about “kindness” I had no idea that Friday was National Kindness Day.  I think it’s great when the world catches up with God don’t you?

The thing that struck me as I thought about these scriptures is that a definite manifestation of God’s Spirit in us is “covering”. In fact, I was a bit surprised at the intensity that seemed to pour through I Peter 4:8.  Peter is saying that before you open your eyes, or open your mouth or anything (above all)you are to be living proof of God’s kindness by doing what He did, and does.  Remember the cross? Covering sin was the whole point wasn’t it?  The same Spirit that created man for loving relationship with God marched to the cross to make it possible. The cross was not a “random act of kindness” –it was well planned and carried out perfectly. If you will remember Jesus actions when He was walking around with the people He loved, everything He did was from a heart of kindness, compassion and love, “intense and unfailing love”.  Remember the woman at the well that no one would even talk to? And how about the prostitutes and sinners that followed Him?  What about Matthew-the tax collector that everybody hated? When Jesus asked him to follow him, it was a real stretch for the Pharisees.  When they asked him why he was spending time with tax collectors and sinners He replied, “Those who are sick have no need of a physician, but go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”. Beloved, He is saying that His whole purpose, His greatest pleasure and desire is to extend mercy, (kindness or good will toward the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them-not allow them to remain victims.)

You have been bought with a great price and God has terrific plans for you and every person in your sphere of influence today. His plan is for you to surprise someone with His kindness. His purpose is for them to see His heart in your actions today. Are you up for the job?  Of course you are!

The greatest kindness might just be to pull a quilt over the missteps of others and speak God’s heart of mercy and compassion to them.

Power Thought:

Pull the covers over sin and plump up the pillows of kindness for people to rest on.  That's what Love does.