Be nice ∙

Be nice ∙

You must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. – Colossians 3:12

2 Corinthians 6:6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

Proverbs 3:3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

Acts 9:36 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to be too nice? According to a study titled “8 Benefits of Being a Nice Person, which showed you can almost never be too nice (psychologytoday.com, November 8, 2022). In the realm of personality psychology, the quality of being “nice” is often synonymous with the trait of “agreeableness.” Agreeableness is “the personality trait primarily concerned with helping and building positive relationships with others” (Ones and Wilmot). Another term for agreeableness is “love.” As noted in 1 Corinthians 13:8, Love never fails.

Agreeableness encompasses key sub-facets: trust, compassion, and politeness. Compassion can further be broken down into graciousness and tender-mindedness, which involves gentleness towards others. Politeness includes attributes like cooperativeness, straightforwardness, and modesty.

There are eight notable benefits to being agreeable. Demonstrating kindness can significantly enhance your well-being, especially when exercised wisely. These benefits include:

• Self-transcendence: A drive to care for others and engage in spiritual or religious practices.
• Contentment: The ability to accept and adapt to life’s challenges.
• Relational investment: A desire to build and sustain strong relationships.
• Teamworking: The empathic ability to align your goals with those of others.
• Work investment: A readiness to diligently tackle tasks.
• Lower results emphasis: A tendency to be forgiving and lenient.
• Social norm orientation: A natural inclination to follow rules and meet societal expectations.
• Social integration: Being well-adjusted in society and avoiding antisocial behaviors.

A bit of personal reflection indicates that these qualities describe the ideal friend, colleague, or marriage partner.

The kindness we show reflects the heart of the Father. Because we have been treated and dealt with according to His kindness, we are liberated to follow after Him and live out and demonstrate kindness to others. Genuine kindness is produced through the work of the Holy Spirit within. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

As 2 Corinthians 6:6 reminds us, we demonstrate our character through purity, understanding, patience, and kindness, all nurtured by the Holy Spirit within us, complemented by sincere love.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father calls us to put on His spiritual garments, not just leave them hanging unused in the scripture’s closet. They must be worn to benefit us truly.

Father, I acknowledge that I am a work in progress regarding kindness. Encourage and empower me to be gentle and as harmless as a dove. Help me fully embrace my new identity in Christ.

INSIGHT

Colossians 3:12 encourages us to embody tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

The Greek word translated as “kindness” is chrestotes, which signifies being “warmhearted,” “considerate,” “humane,” “gentle,” and “sympathetic.” It embodies goodness and integrity, akin to being “harmless as a dove.” Chrestotes pervades one’s nature and disposition. Such a lifestyle is developed over time. Those who are truly kind have mellowed with age in a fashion similar to fine wine (Luke 5:39).

Proverbs 3:3 advises, “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.” The Hebrew word translated as “kindness” is hesed. Hesed is also rendered as “lovingkindness,” “reliability,” “mercy,” and “loyal love.” Rather than insisting on our own way, it implies walking humbly with God, aligning our desires with those of the Father, and doing what He wishes us to do.

Hesed is one of the most beautiful and fascinating words used in the Old Testament to describe the Father. The Father has many attractive characteristics, personality traits, and attributes. One of the most delightful of all is His quality of hesed. It is used to express and focus on His lovingkindness. Becoming children of the King introduces us to a new way of living, shedding old priorities and behaviors for new ones. As Paul suggests, “New character demands new characteristics” (Richison). Paul encourages us to live out our new life in Christ. The logic is simple. “God expects us to approximate our daily condition to our heavenly condition. He wants us to live out the ideals and attitudes of our new nature” (Richison).

Kindness reflects a calm and gentle approach to life, embracing forgiveness and avoiding anger or hostility when faced with wrongdoing. It’s “the art of being dear” (Lord Hailsham). Kindness is the manifestation of empathy, love, and compassion. Kindness is to be seen in both our demeanor and acts of kindness. Kindness is expressed through practical care and helpfulness. It manifests itself in a sweet disposition and thoughtful interpersonal dealings (Constable). There was a child of the King in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She consistently did kind things for others and helped the poor (Acts 9:36).

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

The Greek word translated as “easy is chrestos. Chrestos has the sense of “being soft and mild,” “gently pleasant,” that is “kind,” not harsh, stern, or severe. Kindness has a transformative quality.

Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

The Lord Jesus Christ describes His yoke: “My yoke is easy [chrestos].” Kindness is listed in Galatians 5:22 as a fruit of the Spirit and thus is a result of the work of the Spirit in the life of the child of the King.

“One of the most beautiful pictures of kindness in the Bible is King David’s treatment of the crippled prince, Mephibosheth (see 2 Samuel 9). David desired to show ‘the kindness of God’ to King Saul’s family because of his own love for Saul’s son, Jonathan. The young man chosen was Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, a poor cripple.”

“If David had acted according to justice, he would have condemned Mephibosheth, for the man belonged to a condemned family. But David acted on the basis of love and grace” (Wiersbe).

David sought out Mephibosheth and assured him not to be afraid. He invited Mephibosheth to live in the palace as a member of his family and to eat at the king’s abundant table. This exemplifies the kindness of God! As children of the King, we have experienced an even more incredible kindness, for we will live with Him in heaven forever! (Wiersbe)

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© Dr. H 2024

Monsters from the Id ∙∙

Monsters from the Id ∙∙

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead – Philippians 3:13

Philippians 3:3-11

3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God . . .We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,
6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
11 so that one way or another, I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

The 1956 science fiction film Forbidden Planet stands as a groundbreaking precursor to modern sci-fi cinema. In this movie, a mysterious and destructive force brings death and destruction in its wake. Ultimately, the source of this force is revealed: it originates from within sentient beings themselves, manifesting as Monsters from the Id.

The Id is a concept from psychoanalytic theory, initially developed by Sigmund Freud. It represents the most primitive part of the human psyche, housing our basic instinctual drives and desires. The Id seeks gratification of its urges without consideration for reality or social appropriateness. It is uncoordinated and impulsive, lacking the rational thought processes that are found in other parts of the mind, like the Ego and Superego, which help mediate and control these instinctual impulses.

Without a relationship with the Father God, we lack the essential elements for spiritual health and vitality. The Father designed us to find true fulfillment and contentment only when He is actively present and involved at the core of our being. Without Him, we’re left to navigate life solely on our own. Many are keenly aware of their darker side. But for others, it is way too easy to block out the fact that they possess a dark side and ignore the existence and its haunting presence of their own Monsters from the Id.

The apostle Paul exemplified a complex blend of humanity’s best and worst traits. In terms of righteousness achieved through human effort, he was nearly flawless and took pride in his accomplishments. Yet, when it came to the righteousness offered solely by God, Paul fell short and was totally deficient. In fact, without the saving grace of Jesus Christ, Paul considered himself the greatest sinner of all time.

In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul states, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them!”

Paul was burdened with deep regrets. Reflecting on his past, he undoubtedly felt overwhelming guilt and shame for his skewed, distorted thinking and the havoc it had caused. But everything changed when he came face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ. In his journey with Christ, as he walked with Him, Paul discovered the open secret of how to overcome his regrets.

He did a mental calculation, reevaluated his life, and deemed both his greatest achievements and the haunting memories of his past worthless, mere rubbish, garbage, and waste. Paul resolved that his base subconscious memories and desires would no longer dominate him. Instead, he learned to master and control them.

He consciously chose to leave his past behind, striving for a profound, personal, and intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. His focus shifted from seeking worldly success and obtaining the things that it offered to knowing and experiencing the Father.

Philippians 3:8-10 captures his transformation:

8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

REFLECT & PRAY

Haunting memories from the past can linger in our minds. We have the choice to either give them power, nurture them, and let them grow, or disavow them and revoke their power and control over our lives.

Father, my nightmares often feel like personal “Monsters from the Id,” and I yearn for freedom. Through your mighty strength, I choose to reject and dismantle their hold and oppression.

INSIGHT

Philippians 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

The Greek word for “count” is hegeomai, which literally means to lead or go before. Metaphorically, it involves forming an opinion after considering the facts to think, regard, reckon, or esteem. As Bob Dylan might say, it’s about “changing your way of thinking.”

Paul’s decision was a result of careful consideration, free from emotional sway, whether positive or negative. It wasn’t made in haste, but after deep reflection on the truths, he had come to understand. With this clarity, he decided where he was going to take his stand and stood fast. He never had to look back again. He firmly chose his path and never wavered, setting his sights on the future that lay before him.

The Father had invited him to participate in His kingdom work. His journey was now defined by Paul’s earnest desire to fulfill his calling.

As stated in Luke 9:62, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Paul accepted the Father’s invitation to engage in His kingdom’s work, and his present and future were now firmly anchored in his calling.

Through trial and error, Paul learned to cultivate a profound friendship and fellowship with the Father. He no longer sought righteousness through his own efforts but received it as a gift of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Once considered the chief of sinners, he became a committed and devoted bondservant of Christ.

The Greek word translated as “rubbish” or “dung” in the King James Version is skubala. In everyday language, skubala refers to waste discarded to dogs, while in medical terms, it means excrement.

Does your past haunt you? Perhaps it’s time for a personal evaluation of your failures and achievements. It might be time to put the past behind you once and for all. In the end, like Paul, you will gain much more than you lose.

Ultimately, this is the Father’s way of helping you extinguish the haunting Monsters of the Id.

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© Dr. H 2024

Wrestling with God ∙∙

Wrestling with God ∙∙

Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. – Hosea 12:3

Genesis 32:24-31

24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break.
25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket.

26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.”
28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on, you will be called Israel because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”
31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.

Hercules is one of the best-known heroes in Greek and Roman mythology. He was renowned for his extraordinary strength and daring exploits. One of his 12 exploits was his mission to steal the apples of the Hesperides, the “Nymphs of the West.” On his way to accomplishing this task, he had to fight with Antaeus. Antaeus would challenge all passers-by to wrestling matches. He was undefeated. He had a secret; he remained invincible as long as he remained in contact with the ground. He consistently killed his opponents because he drew his strength from the earth.

Hercules took up the challenge and began to wrestle with Antaeus despite his reputation. Hercules soon realized that Antaeus could not be defeated by throwing or pinning him to the ground. He came up with a new strategy. Hercules held him above the ground, and using his super-human strength, he crushed him to death with a powerful bear hug.

Wrestling with a powerful opponent is not the wisest choice. But attempting to wrestle with an undefeated one seems foolhardy at best.

Jacob was on his way to a very close encounter with his brother Esau. Jacob had greatly wronged Esau and feared he would kill him in revenge. He had sent gifts and all the people that had accompanied him on ahead in an attempt to soften Esau’s heart. “It was the darkest night of Jacob’s life as he sat alone reflecting on the past and on what the sunlight might bring, alternately shivering in the mountain cold and trembling at the approach of Esau” (Hughes).

In the pitch-black night, Jacob found himself alone and suddenly seized by an unseen force. With no words exchanged, he was thrust into a fierce struggle, grappling with a figure of immense strength. Initially, Jacob’s mind raced with fear and confusion, suspecting perhaps that Esau had sent an assassin to eliminate him. Yet, caught in the throes of a life-or-death struggle, Jacob had no choice but to wrestle with his mysterious adversary.

The darkness obscured vision, and the silence deepened the mystery as Jacob, strong in his own right, battled this formidable opponent. They clashed for hours, locked in combat through the night, neither gaining the upper hand. As the first light of dawn crept in, the figure finally broke the silence, requesting that Jacob release him and end the match. It was then that Jacob sensed something extraordinary—his opponent was no mere man but someone with the power to bestow blessings, perhaps even an angel.

In a bold move, Jacob demanded a blessing, and the stranger’s response was transformative. “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” he declared, “but Israel.”

Genesis 32:28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

With these words, Jacob now puts it all together. Jacob understood that his adversary was more than an angel. His opponent was God Himself, manifest in human form. This revelation mirrored the earlier appearance of the Lord to Abraham, where God was also mistaken for a man (Genesis 18).

Jacob named the place Peniel, meaning “face of God,” marveling that he had seen God face to face and survived the encounter.

Genesis 32:30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”

This remarkable wrestling match is later referenced in Hosea.

Jacob had wrestled with God in bodily form (Hosea 12:3-4).

What a profound moment of spiritual significance. The Father allows His children to wrestle with Him, sometimes even initiating the struggle, offering transformation rather than condemnation.

The blessing Jacob received came with a cost. He emerged from the encounter with a new identity, Israel, signifying “God fights” or “he fights with God.” Yet, there was collateral damage. He bore a permanent mark of the struggle—a limp that would accompany him for the rest of his days.

Jacob seemed accustomed to getting his way and never losing a wrestling match, reminiscent of Antaeus. The Father, however, chose to hold back His limitless power, giving Jacob the opportunity to wrestle with Him. At any moment, He could have easily overpowered Jacob. This dynamic mirrors the myth of Antaeus and Hercules, where Hercules ultimately triumphed over Antaeus through a combination of godlike strategy and restraint.

REFLECT & PRAY

It is one thing to be curious and seek understanding; it’s another to cross the line into arrogance and argumentativeness.

Father, it is part of human DNA to ask, “Why?” Encourage us to be respectful and open-hearted rather than condemnatory.

INSIGHT

Wrestling with the Father can take many forms, often involving challenging conversations. A poignant example of this is found in the story of Habakkuk, an Old Testament prophet who engaged in a verbal struggle with God. Unsatisfied with the state of affairs in Judah, where rampant sin and a lack of justice were prevalent, Habakkuk was bold in voicing his frustrations. He confronted the Father, questioning the violence and injustice that surrounded him, and challenged the Father to do something about it.

Habakkuk 1:2-4

2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save.
3 Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
4 The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

Sound familiar?

The Father had a solution that would end their evil activities. But the cure was worse than the disease. The Babylonians were coming to conquer, destroy, and take the people captive.

Habakkuk cannot believe his ears. He was in shock.

If Habakkuk had been concerned and argumentative before, now he was livid. His complaints became white-hot. While the people of Israel are bad and iniquitous, they are not as bad as the Babylonians, who were brutal conquerors. On top of that, they were the chosen people, special, unique, and the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8). Surely, the Father is too good to allow such a thing to happen. Habakkuk becomes sullen and retreats into arrogant self-pity.

Yet, the Father, unfazed, addressed him with a profound truth that cuts through all complaints and doubts: “The righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). God’s response was unwavering. He confronts Habakkuk and provides the ultimate answer for all incredulous, complaining, arrogant whiners.

While it’s natural to question and seek understanding, God’s answers can sometimes be more unsettling than the questions themselves.

Ultimately, His answer is always the same, “Trust Me.” Trust in My character and My plan. Live by faith, lose the attitude, and surrender to His will.

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© Dr. H 2024

Your Father’s eyes ∙∙

Your Father’s eyes ∙∙

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

2 Chronicles 15:2-7

2 Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

3 For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest, and without law.
4 But in their distress, they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him.

7 But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.

Throughout history, people, families, groups, kingdoms, and nations have joined forces to achieve mutual benefits. Successful collaborations rely on meticulous planning, wise decision-making, and genuine cooperation. There are five critical strategies for success: a shared goal or vision, prudent investment of resources, clear expectations and execution, complete trust, and adaptability over time to changing circumstances.

Unlike any other partnership, a strategic alliance with the Father is unique because it is solely for our benefit. Humanity was intelligently designed by the Father to find ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction through alignment with Him and complete reliance on His guidance. The Father seeks to form alliances with children of the King. He seeks seekers.

How do we live wisely in our dark and fallen world?

The Scriptures are rich with informative stories, wisdom, prophecy, history, and doctrine. The Word of God is a guidebook, an owner’s manual for life on planet Earth. It provides instructions on how to live wisely in a fallen world. We could spend our whole lives studying the Father’s Word and barely scratch the surface.

1 Corinthians 10:11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.

“Everything in the Scripture exists for our example, warning, and admonition. We are to note what God’s people did in the past and how God reacted to them in order to move ahead in our own walk of faith” (Stanley).

Romans 15:4 Everything was written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

The Old Testament Scriptures offer guidance, inspiration, motivation, and hope. By learning from historical events, we equip ourselves to tackle present challenges and look forward with hope to the future.

One notable figure is King Asa of Judah, Solomon’s great-grandson, who initially aligned himself with the Father and enjoyed His favor. At the start of his reign, Asa’s heart was devoted to the Father, and he thrived.

2 Chronicles 14:2 states, “Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the LORD his God.”

Unfortunately, Asa later broke his alliance with the Father and instead sought protection through a coalition with Syria. Although Ben-hadad, of Syria, was a valuable ally for a short while, the partnership was unstable and ultimately failed. Asa’s experience serves as a powerful lesson for all children of the King.

The Father is a seeker. The Father is always searching for those who are willing to trust Him. He is ever-ready to assist those who seek Him. Every child of the King can take comfort in knowing that as we pursue God, He will empower us, providing the strength and capabilities needed to fulfill the responsibilities and assignments He sets before us.

2 Chronicles 15:2 assures us, “The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.”

The Father is wholly committed to every child of the King, intricately involved in every aspect of our lives. His care is marked by profound, loyal love, and He desires to strengthen and support each of us.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father watches and waits for us. His support is permanent. He is not there for us only in times of need. His commitment is unwavering and extends beyond mere moments of crisis.

Father, it is so easy to waver in our trust and devotion. Even when I understand the truth, I behave like a fool and acted unwisely. Father, encourage me to immerse myself in Your Word, meditate on it, and remain steadfastly aligned with You.

INSIGHT

2 Chronicles 16:9 reveals, “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

The Father delivers all who seek, find, and commit to Him. However, to enjoy fully what the Father promises, we must continually be fully committed to Him. If we falter in our commitment, His magnificent promises slip beyond our grasp.

That was precisely what King Asa failed to do. He was not consistent. He lapsed. He acted the fool and did what was right in his own eyes. He was confronted and pronounced a fool. He suffered the consequences. Instead of peace and safety, the rest of his reign would be marked by discontent and war.

Understandably, Asa turned to what was tangible. Rather than remaining faithful to the Father, the unseen eternal God of heaven, Asa limited his vision to what he could see. He chose to rely upon a human king.

1 Chronicles 28:9 Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him.

Paul compassionately reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 that even though our bodies may be facing challenges and weariness, our spirits are being renewed each day. He acknowledges the weight of our struggles, saying in verse 17 that while our present troubles may feel overwhelming, they are ultimately minor and temporary. It’s heartening to know that these difficulties are shaping us for glory that far exceeds our current pain and will endure for eternity.

In verse 18, he encourages us not to fixate solely on the visible troubles surrounding us, which can often feel consuming. Instead, He gently urges us to turn our gaze towards the unseen, enduring promises of hope and love that last forever. It’s a comforting reminder that while the trials we face may be challenging, they are fleeting, and there is so much more that awaits us beyond our current circumstances.

“The contrast between seeking and forsaking is strong. They are two modes of life. One yearns for God and is devoted to him with a whole heart and delighted soul . . .. This expresses the integrity of a person’s life. A dedicated life finds peace and joy in serving God. The other, however, yearns for something or someone else. It forsakes God to serve other gods. Solomon is given this fundamental choice – the choice we all have – of seeking or forsaking God” (John Mark Hicks).

Are you a seeker or a forsaker? Choose wisely!

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© Dr. H 2024