What words come to mind when you hear "heavenly Father"? How about these: compassion, patience, mercy, love, kindness?
With Father's Day near (and because the reminder is good anyway), here's an excerpt on the kindness of the heavenly Father - and how we can do our part to spread it around. [Excerpt from NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible: Voices from the Past and Present.] -Adam Forrest, Zondervan
The Kindness of the Father [by S. J. Hill]
If we recognize that God's heart is filled with passion for us even in our weakness, we will be catapulted into personal wholeness and spiritual maturity.
When my two sons left home and ventured out on their own, I realized even more how much I loved them. I would think about them all the time. I would call them on the phone just to hear their voices. I would picture in my mind what they looked like. More than once I heard the Lord speak so gently to me, "If you feel this way about your sons, how do you think I feel about you?"
I was often reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:9–11: "[Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!]"
Today as I was thinking about my sons and reflecting on those experiences, I was so overcome by the love of the Father that I broke down and wept. I realized again that when we, as His children, catch a glimpse of the beauty of His heart, it will ignite such deep passions within us that we will gladly abandon ourselves to Him.
A Living Expression [by Mother Teresa, AD 1910 – 1997]
Be the living expression of God's kindness:
kindness in your face,
kindness in your eyes,
kindness in your smile,
kindness in your warm greeting.
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Learn more about the NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible
A Friendly Dare: Ask someone you trust, "What expressions do you often see from me?" Is your kindness visible? Or is something else in your heart spilling out, such as fear, anxiety, or impatience?
Further Reading
Is Christ Delightful? via the NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible
A Heavenly Party via the NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible
Flourishing in Action via John Ortberg
(Images & some styling above are web-exclusive features not included in the text of NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible. This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer's personal opinions are shared only for information purposes. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)
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