Show Kindness Every Day.


Note: This post was sent to us by email and, unfortunately, the author is unknown. We thought it was so good that we wanted to share it with you. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

 
THIS MIGHT BE THE MOST REWARDING POST
YOU WILL READ IN 2016.

As you read this post, put yourself in this situation and use your imagination to think about an elderly relative, family friend or yourself.

Sometimes the things that seem trivial to us may turn out to be a great blessing to someone else!

THE CAB RIDE

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes, I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice.. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. 
 
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life...

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
 
People May Not Remember Exactly What You Did, Or What You Said ~BUT~THEY Will Always Remember How You Made Them Feel.

Often it is the random acts of kindness that most benefit all of us.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. "Many people walk in and out of your life, but only love will leave footprints in your heart....."

Take time to be kind to someone today.

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Hallelujah! He Is Risen!


JESUS WAS THE PERFECT SACRIFICE

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) says God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

God Himself provided the only sacrifice (Jesus) who could atone for the sins of His people. God’s perfect Son fulfilled God’s perfect requirement of God’s perfect law.

Without the sacrificial death of Christ, we would still be in our sins, unforgiven, unredeemed, unsaved, and unloved. But, thank God, the story of Jesus Christ did not end with His death.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (NIV) says But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead. But He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

JESUS IS ALIVE AND WELL

In John 14:19 (NIV), Jesus said “Because I live, you also will live.”

If Christ was not physically raised from the dead, He would have been just another false prophet to be ignored. We ourselves would have no hope of resurrection and all believers should be pitied. Without the resurrection, we are still sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. With His resurrection, we have a living Lord, faithful to His Word.

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (NIV) says When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory'. 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'”

Romans 4:25 (NIV) says He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (NIV) says For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.”

And In Matthew 28:6 (NIV), the angel said He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

HALLELUJAH! HE IS RISEN!

As Believers, because He lives, we can face tomorrow with all its uncertainties knowing we will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

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Are You Growing Spiritually?



IF YOU ARE SAVED, THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN YOU.

John 14:16-17 (NASB) says I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”

YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB) says Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

YOUR OLD, SINFUL NATURE BEGINS TO GIVE WAY
TO THE NEW, CHRISTLIKE NATURE.

Romans 6:7-13 (NASB) says “For he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A LIFELONG PROCESS
THAT DEPENDS ON YOUR STUDY AND APPLICATION
OF GOD'S WORD AND YOUR WALK IN THE SPIRIT.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB) says All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Galatians 5:16-26 (NASB) says But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”


AS YOU SEEK SPIRITUAL GROWTH,
PRAY TO GOD AND ASK FOR:

  • Wisdom Concerning The Areas He Desires You To Grow In;
  • Increased faith and knowledge of Him;
  • Spiritual Growth.

GOD HAS GIVEN YOU ALL YOU NEED
TO EXPERIENCE SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, you can overcome sin and steadily become more like your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE GROWING SPIRITUALLY WHEN:

1. You are increasingly aware of sin and weaknesses;

2. Your response to sin is quick and followed by genuine repentance;

3. Your spiritual battles are becoming more fierce but you are still rejoicing;

4. You see trials and temptations as opportunities for growth;

5. You see service for God as a high honor and not a burden;

6. You know all things are working together for your good;

7. You sense your faith is growing stronger;

8. Your desire to obey God intensifies and your attraction to sin decreases;

9. You spend more time in genuine praise and worship;

10. You are eager to share with others what Jesus is doing in your life;

11. You are becoming increasingly aware of His presence;

12. You jealously guard your time of prayer and daily bible reading and would rather spend time with Jesus above all others.

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Mountain Moving Faith.


Note: We received Mountain Moving Faith” by email and unfortunately, the author is unknown. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Mark 11:23-24 (NIV) says “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

A SHORT STORY OF MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH

A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building. Until the church doubled the size of the parking lot, they would not be able to use the new sanctuary.

Unfortunately, the church with its undersized parking lot had used every inch of their land except for the mountain against which it had been built. In order to build more parking spaces, they would have to move the mountain out of the back yard.

Undaunted, the pastor announced the next Sunday morning that he would meet that evening with all members who had "mountain-moving faith". They would hold a prayer session asking God to remove the mountain from the back yard and to somehow provide enough money to have it paved and painted before the scheduled opening dedication service the following week.

At the appointed time, 24 of the congregation's 300 members assembled for prayer. They prayed for nearly three hours. At ten o'clock the pastor said the final "Amen". "We'll open next Sunday as scheduled," he assured everyone. "God has never let us down before, and I believe He will be faithful this time too."

The next morning as he was working in his study there came a loud knock at his door. When he called "come in", a rough looking construction foreman appeared, removing his hard hat as he entered.

"Excuse me, Reverend. I'm from Acme Construction Company over in the next county. We're building a huge new shopping mall over there and we need some fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind the church? We'll pay you for the dirt we remove and pave all the exposed area free of charge, if we can have it right away. We can't do anything else until we get the dirt in and allow it to settle properly."

The little church was dedicated the next Sunday as originally planned and there were far more members with "mountain-moving faith" on opening Sunday than there had been the previous week!

Remember: God Is Faithful To Do What He Says
When We Believe!

DO YOU HAVE MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH?

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15 Things For Christians To Consider.



1. Because God is Creator, Lord, Savior, and Deliverer, He is worthy of all our trust and praise.

2. Because God is faithful and His Word is true and dependable, we can rejoice and sing, giving thanks and praise to Him.

3. God pays attention to those who call on Him. Whether God offers escape from trouble or help in times of trouble, we can be certain that He already hears and acts on behalf of those who love Him.

4. When our enemies are unjust and lie about us, even when we do good to them, we can appeal to God who is always just.

5. God's faithfulness, justice and love are in direct contrast with the sinful hearts of men and women. In spite of our fallen condition, God pours out His love on those who know and love Him.

6. We can put our trust in the Lord but we must wait patiently for Him to act.

7. Doing God' will sometimes means waiting patiently. While we wait, we can love God, serve others, and tell others about Jesus.

8. Sorrow for sin brings hope. God alone is the true source of healing and protection for those who confess their sins to Him.

9. Apart from God, life is fleeting and empty. Because life is so brief, we can appeal to God for mercy.

10. When we're sick and feeling abandoned, God remains on our side.

11. When we feel lonely, depressed or discouraged, our only hope is in God.

12. When it seems that God has let you down, don't despair. Instead, remember God's past deliverance and be confident that He will restore you.

13. God is always here to help us, providing refuge, security, and peace. He will not fail to rescue those who love Him.

14. Be glad and supremely joyful when you are spoken of abusively, persecuted and lied about because you are a follower of Jesus, for a tremendous award awaits you in Heaven.

15. Be happy when you are persecuted for doing right for yours is the Kingdom Of Heaven.

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What True Love Really Is.



John 3:16 (NIV) says For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

1 John 3:16 (NIV) says This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”

1 John 4:7 (NIV) says Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

TRUE LOVE REQUIRES SACRIFICE:

True love may require us to offer (sacrifice) something valuable for God and others.

9 SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE LOVE

  • True Love Is Patient;
  • True Love Is Kind;
  • True Love Does Not Envy;
  • True Love Does Not Boast;
  • True Love Is Not Proud;
  • True Love Is Not Rude;
  • True Love Always Trusts;
  • True Love Always Hopes;
  • True Love Never Fails.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) says And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Song of Songs 8:6-7 (NIV) says Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”

TRUE LOVE IS PRICELESS

True love is as strong as death; it cannot be killed by time or disaster; and it cannot be bought for any price because it is freely given. True love is priceless and even the richest king cannot buy it.

TRUE LOVE IS A FREE GIFT

True love must be accepted as a Gift from God and then within the guidelines God provides. Accept the love of your spouse as God's gift, and strive to make your love a reflection of the perfect love that comes from God Himself.

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