Tag: kindness

Genesis 6

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Noah found grace in the eyes of God. Genesis 6:6,8

God regretted creating man.

The evil, which was ruling man, grieved God’s heart.

Man became so selfish and evil, God actually wished He had not created them.

Verse 5 says “every intention of the thoughts of his (man’s) heart was only evil continually.

Wow.

Like nothing but evil.

Literally.

Imagine living in that world where only evil reigns free and kindness is nearly non-existent.

Nearly non-existent due to the life of Noah.

Noah and his family found favor in God’s eyes.

That’s it. The only family on earth.

Only a few hundred years after God created Adam, He regretted man.

Not only did God want to destroy man, He also cut short future man’s long life which had been the norm.

Noah was 500 when he fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 5:32).

That’s pretty old!

God declared man would live no more than 120 years in verse 3 as God did not want His spirit to abide in man forever.

You can see why.

God does not condone evil.

Period.

We might not be as bad or evil as the population Noah walked among, but evil is evil.

Sin is sin.

Do you ever stop to think your sin grieves God’s heart?

Sure some sins are worse than others, but any sin at all goes against God.

It goes against everything He is.

Sin is the opposite of God.

Lots of grace for us when we sin, yes, but ask God to help you live only within His ways.

Ask the Holy Spirit to build you up in your mind, body, and soul, as you pursue God and God alone.

Maybe the thought of grieving God’s heart will stop you from sinning.

After all, why would we ever want to cause God any pain ever when He’s done everything and more for us?

Photos by Lucas Dial, Aram, Aaron Burden, & Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Tears

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. John 11:33

God takes no pleasure in watching us suffer.

He is moved when we are troubled.

He knows the beginning from the end, yet allows all sorts of things.

Sorrows and joys all filter through His hands before they reach our world.

He knows the moment we will receive news we wish we hadn’t.

He anticipates our gut wrenching grief.

So He prepares us, enfolding us in His loving kindness.

I imagine God knowing before us, watching us receive a sorrow from the depths of our souls.

As our Father, our Creator, He weeps with us when the news turns our insides out.

All He asks is our trust. Our trust in Him. His authority. His sovereignty. His plan.

Knowing He stands by our side in sorrow, keeps our feet moving step by step.

Just as I wish I could take away any of my children’s pain, God’s love for us is even more.

He never wants us to suffer, yet He knows our world is full of it.

And suffer we must. Doesn’t mean He enjoys it. Because He doesn’t.

But He allows life to happen. Because of this, we must keep our trust with Him.

Just imagine how He loves us so.

Wanting to witness our joys, never our sorrows.

He loves us so much He sent Jesus, His Son, to die in our place.

God witnessed the death of His Son.

Because of this, we can rest assured God understands.

He understands pain, and the purpose of pain.

The purpose of sacrifice.

As we identify with God in our pain, allow Him to scoop you into His loving arms.

God, who created you, understands.

He longs for your trust, burden, and your tears.

Allow Him to comfort you. He longs to. Every single time.

Photos by Ingmar H, Jametlene Reskp, Pascal van de Vendel, & Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Faithful in Little Things

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Picture me, my little girl self, about four or five years old.

Hair curled, dress smoothed, hands in my lap listening to my sunday school lesson.

The offering is passed and I reach into my pocket for all of my change.

It’s not much, doesn’t even equal $1.00, but it’s all I have.

I brought it especially for today.

For today’s offering.

Looking back, I cannot remember what it was for, but I’m sure it was for a very good cause.

Anyhow, I cheerfully place all of my change into the offering basket.

A huge grin breaks out onto my face as I hear my change clink against the other coins.

Thinking nothing of it afterwards, a new day dawns.

I put on my big fluffy coat, zipping it all the way up.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out an entire dollar bill.

“How did this get here?” I ask myself. “Where is this from?”

Suddenly, I recognize I have more now than I did before I gave away all my change.

I am amazed.

Like, for real.

Isn’t it interesting how some memories stand out from years ago?

They stand out from the others. Crystal clear.

I think it’s all part of God’s plan.

We need to remember glimpses of His faithfulness.

His provision.

Proof He sees us. All of us.

He watches over us, smiling when we give our last penny, grinning when we find our new treasure.

God loves to bless us when we give Him our all.

And if you look back, noticing how good He has been to you, you’ll break out in your own smile today.

Every little detail is inspected by God.

Because of this, you can trust Him for your now and your future.

Even if it seems dark, lonely, or sad, your God sees you.

He covers you with His protection and kindness, as He notices every little detail.

Photos by Igor Kyryliuk & Tetiana Kravchenko, Jack B, Luke Porter, & Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash