Daily Reminders #1

Hey everyone! No, I am not going to post one of these daily, but every now and then, I’ll decide to post a verse that stood out to me. Maybe there will be a devotion…maybe not, but who knows how many of these there will end up being…enjoy!

Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

2 Samuel 7:18b; 22

Goodness and Kindness

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

I grew up memorizing the fruit of the spirit, but as a child, I never understood the difference between kindness and goodness. I always wonder if there was a typo and maybe both of those words where not meant to be there. I never understood what was different what was similar, but now I do know. First, I'll break the words down. Kind and Good. So what's the difference? Well when a dog is not bad, it is reward by a reassuring phrase: "Good Dog!" There's a reason why people don't say kind dog...because the dog wasn't kind. So for those of you who need even more breaking down. Kindness is when you do something extra that's nice. And goodness is when when you do what's right, or don't do what is wrong.
I also have heard it described this way: kindness is an attitude and goodness is a lifestyle.
Goodness is a character and kindness an action.

Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me.
Ruth 1:8

You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.
Job 10:12

In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the LORD your Redeemer.
Isaiah 54:8

but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:24

So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
Romans 2:3-4

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalms 27:13-14

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
2 Peter 1:5-6

David and his Lament

David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar): "Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! Saul and Jonathan--in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
2 Samuel 1:17-19; 22-23

I know I said last post I'd be doing a blog post on Kindness and Goodness, but I really don't care. I read 1 Samuel 1 yesterday in my quiet time, devotional, or what you want to call it. Verse 23 really stood out to me. I encourage you to read through all of 2 Samuel 1, but I you need to look at the beginning of the 23rd verse one  more time. Saul and Jonathan--in life they were loved and gracious. Perhaps your not so familair with you bible. If so, then that fine...but if you read through 1 Samuel, you'll see that Saul tries to kill David, and he's very blunt about it...He doesn't go into stealth mode, but simply attempts to kill him several times and is quite clear about it. His son Jonathan was kind to David til the end and deserved a lament, but I'll be honest...if someone tries to kill me, they aren't going to be called gracious in my little song about them. That's just me being honest.
David refused to kill Saul twice when he could have (he cut off a portion of Saul's clothing), but David refused to kill God's anointed.
I just am amazed that David had so much strength and courage. If I was David, the Saul would have been murdered in his sleep. But anyway, Saul was anything but gracious. He refused to give up search for the anointed king of Israel. And in his hatred for David, he went to a witch and told her to bring up the spirit of Samuel (who was dead at this point).
David sure has a good heart (even though his actions were sometimes less than good).
-Ruth

September 2012

“September days are here, with summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer”

-Helen Hunt Jackson

Quote of the Month:

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."
- Robert F. Kennedy

Bible Verse of the Month:

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

1 Samuel 15:22-23a

Remember!

It’s better to do something imperfect then nothing flawlessly. If your a perfectionist, then that can lead to being afraid of doing things, but if you are that way, then you need to realize this: You can't always do thing correctly, so don't be afraid to mess up. Just get back up and keep on going

Future Posts:

1. Kindness and Goodness        
2. The Smart Donkey Series                

May God bring you blessings of small and large sizes this month. Listen to God's voice as he guides you through life. Be strong.

-Ruth

Sources:

http://quotes.dictionary.com