Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Philippians 4:5 NIV
Confession.
This was my family's "go to" verse for me for years.
It was on the fridge, and took forever to find its way to change my attitude.
And every now and then that ungentleness reappears...which for me found it's expression in both what I say and how I say it...
Evident.
Paul is clear, our attitudes need more than our intellectual agreement. They've got to be worked out in the real world.
(I have quite a list to work on...kindness, generosity, patience...they need evidence!)
And then there's the "to all".
It's easy to be gentle with those who are gentle, with those you like, but this is "to all"
Paul wants our character to be consistent...so even when I have bad news, tough medicine or criticism to give, Paul is telling me that my heart should be consistent and my gentleness evident...to all
#ouch
#lovepeople
Genesis 15.8-18.ESV But he said O Lord God , how am I to know that I shall possess it? ...When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram... March 15 was the last day we looked at Abram's story...he was questioning God and this is God's response...sacrifices and smoke and fire and a covenant...a promise... Isn't that what we crave for sometimes? God, if only you'd just show me smoke & fire, a burning bush a sign, miracle, healing...then all my questions would disappear...all my doubts would be gone... 2moro we'll see Abram's response but I think God values our faith in spite of our questions and doubts. That we choose Him anyway #faith
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