Thoughts for Thursday by Emily Farmer

Be Kind

Growing up I often heard the phrases "be nice", "treat others the way you want to be treated" and the all famous "if you can't say something nice don't say nothing at all". The Bible teaches some of the these same truths like in Matt. 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Do for others as you would have them do for you." I have heard that called The Golden Rule all my life. I must say it's a good value to have and live by.

As I have shared before, I butt heads with one of my sons. God surely has a way of bringing me to my knees in an instant. Just this week he revealed Zechariah 7:9" This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Judge fairly, show mercy and kindness to one another." I must say that was a big ouch! It sure brought me to humbleness before God. It was as if he was saying, "Emily- you need to treat your son fairly by showing mercy and kindness." I have prayed that verse so many times this week I can't keep count of how many times. I have this verse on a sticky note stuck to my bathroom mirror. I also have it on a business size card that sits in the kitchen on the shelf about my sink.

I still stand amazed at how God works in our lives day after day. This verse has ceased my tongue and attitude more than once. I have been quick to listen to God and slow to speak to my son. That's a verse from James 1:19 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." This too is another verse I often repeat to myself to hold my tongue. James goes on to say in verse 22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says". So I have tried very hard to make it my goal this year to do what the word (God's word- the scripture) says. Proverbs 15:1-3 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This is a verse that God convicted me of sometime back when I first realized I had an attitude that needed to be changed.

My point is if you are having a problem with an emotion or action, hold tight to God's word and promises. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have as Christians. So why not use it and rely on it often.

These are two good verses to remember about love.

John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV)

1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us." (NIV)