BREAKING THE FAST |
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GOD IS KIND
. . . so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus . . .
Ephesians 2:7
Additional Reading: Deuteronomy 7:7–8; Luke 6:35; Titus 3:4–5 (Optional: 1 Corinthians 13:4; Romans 2:4)
In the trilogy The Lord of the Rings, many characters stand out for their selfless deeds. But none so much as Samwise Gamgee, the humble and loyal hobbit who follows Frodo into danger and certain death, helping his friend carry the heavy burden of the ring and accomplish his mission of destroying it. As they near the end of their journey, Samwise goes without water so that Frodo will have enough. And as Samwise lies sleeplessly one night, he says to himself, “I’ll get there, if I leave everything but my bones behind. And I’ll carry Mr. Frodo up myself, if it breaks my back and heart.” And that’s precisely what Samwise did, carrying Frodo when he had no more strength to walk. Samwise was a genuinely kind and selfless friend. The same is true of God and His relationship with us. God’s love for us is kind. When we talk about God’s kindness, we’re referring to His benevolent concern for those He loves. What’s so amazing about His kindness is that it’s freely given, not earned or deserved. In fact, the Bible teaches us that God shows His loving-kindness to those who don’t deserve it! God set His loving-kindness upon Israel, though they were insignificant among the nations (Deuteronomy 7:7–8). He then led the Israelites with loving-kindness, despite their consistent unfaithfulness (Hosea 11:4). And because of His loving-kindness, while we were still sinners, He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us (Romans 5:8). Because God loves us, He gives of Himself, not for what He can gain, but for what we gain.
Despite our sin and unfaithfulness, God sent His Son to die for us so that we could be reconciled to Him—so we could have a relationship with this great and good God. We have done nothing to deserve this, but out of the overflow of His kindness, we have become the recipients of His grace. And for all eternity, the immeasurable riches of God’s grace will be on full display for us to marvel at as we bask in His benevolent kindness toward us. Write down your thoughts on today’s devotional. Pray that God will continue to speak as you reflect. Romans 2:4 says that “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” During this week, has God revealed anything in your life that you need to repent of? How does God’s kindness help you repent and trust in Him? Does selfless kindness characterize your relationships? What would it look like for you to be kind in your relationships? How does the revelation of God’s kindness to us help you express that kindness in your relationships with others?
BECAUSE GOD IS KIND,
WE HAVE AN ETERNITY OF BLESSINGS TO ANTICIPATE.
NOTES
REFLECT
PRAY
. . . so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us
in Christ Jesus . . .
Ephesians 2:7
Lord, Your loving-kindness has drawn me to You, to repentance, and into Your promise of blessing. I have done nothing to deserve Your kindness. But in Christ, You freely give me all that I need spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, and more. Your kindness brings joy to my heart in every season. Thank You for Your eternal grace. As You open my eyes to Your kindness in my life, help me to show that kindness to others around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Ginawa niya ito para maipakita niya sa lahat, sa darating na panahon, ang hindi mapapantayang kasaganaan ng biyaya niya atkabutihan na ibinigay niya sa atin sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus.
Mga Taga-Efeso 2:7 ASND
Basahin Din: Deuteronomio 7:7–8; Lucas 6:35; Tito 3:4–5 (Opsyonal: 1 Corinto 13:4; Mga Taga-Roma 2:4)
Sa trilogy na The Lord of the Rings, maraming tauhan ang nakilala dahil sila ay hindi makasarili. Subalit walang nakahihigit kay Samwise Gamgee, ang mapagpakumbaba at matapat na Hobbit na sumunod kay Frodo sa kapahamakan at tiyak na kamatayan at tumulong sa kanyang kaibigan na buhatin ang napakabigat na responsibilidad na dala ng nag-iisang singsing at tuparin ang kanyang misyon na wasakin ito. Habang papalapit na sila sa dulo ng kanilang paglalakbay, si Samwise ay hindi na uminom ng tubig upang si Frodo ay magkaroon pa ng sapat na maiinom. Isang gabi, habang si Sam ay nakahiga at hindi makatulog, sinabi niya sa kanyang sarili, “I’ll get there, if I leave everything but my bones behind. And I’ll carry Mr. Frodo up myself, if it breaks my back and heart.” (Makararating ako doon, kahit pa iwan ko ang lahat maliban sa aking mga buto. Bubuhatin ko si Mr. Frodo kahit pa mabali ang aking likod at puso). At iyon nga ang ginawa ni Samwise. Binuhat niya si Frodo nang ito ay wala ng lakas upang lumakad. Si Samwise ay tunay na mabait at hindi makasariling kaibigan. Ito rin ay totoo sa Diyos at sa Kanyang relasyon sa atin. Ang pagmamahal sa atin ng Diyos ay nagpapakita ng Kanyang kabutihan. Kapag pinag-uusapan natin ang kabutihan ng Diyos, tinutukoy natin ang Kanyang kagandahang-loob na nagmamalasakit sa Kanyang mga minamahal. Ang kamangha-mangha sa Kanyang pagiging mahabagin ay kusang loob Niya itong ibinibigay. Hindi natin ito pinaghihirapan o kaya’y karapat-dapat na matanggap. Sa katunayan, sinasabi sa Bibliya na ipinapakita ng Diyos ang Kanyang mapagmahal na kabutihan sa mga taong hindi karapat-dapat tumanggap nito. Nagpasya ang Diyos na ipakita ang kanyang mapagmahal na kabutihan sa mga Israelita bagama’t sila ay isang maliit na bayan lamang (Deuteronomio 7:7–8). Pagkatapos ay pinamunuan Niya ang mga Israelita kahit na patuloy sila sa pagpapakita ng kawalan ng katapatan sa Kanya (Hosea 11:4). At dahil sa Kanyang mapagmahal na kabutihan, kahit na tayo ay mga makasalanan pa, ipinadala Niya si Jesus upang mamatay sa krus para sa ating mga kasalanan. (Mga Taga-Roma 5:8). Dahil mahal tayo ng Diyos, ibinigay Niya ang Kanyang sarili hindi para sa anumang maaari Niyang makuha, kundi para sa ating pakinabang.
Sa kabila ng ating kasalanan at kawalan ng katapatan, ipinadala Niya ang Kanyang anak upang tayo ay maipanumbalik sa Kanya, upang magkaroon tayo ng ugnayan sa isang dakila at mabuting Diyos. Wala tayong ginawa upang maging karapat-dapat na makatanggap nito, subalit dahil sa Kanyang nag-uumapaw na kabutihan, tayo ngayon ay nakakatanggap ng Kanyang biyaya. At hanggang sa walang hanggan, ang hindi masukat na yaman ng biyaya ng Diyos ay makikita natin nang ganap upang tayo ay mamangha habang nararanasan natin ang Kanyang mapagbigay na kabutihan sa atin.
Isulat ang mga naisip mo tungkol sa debosyonal ngayong araw. Ipanalangin na patuloy na mangusap sa iyo ang Diyos habang lalo mong pinag-iisipan ang mga ito. Sa Mga Taga-Roma 2:4, sinabi ng Diyos na “. . . ang Diyos ay mabuti sa iyo dahil binibigyan ka niya ng pagkakataong magsisi sa mga kasalanan mo.” Ngayong linggo, mayroon bang ipinakita sa iyo ang Diyos tungkol sa iyong buhay na kailangan mong talikuran? Paano nakatutulong ang kabutihan ng Diyos upang magawa mong magsisi at magtiwala sa Kanya? Ang hindi makasariling kabutihan ba ay makikita sa iyong mga relasyon? Paano makikita ang kabutihan sa iyong mga ugnayan sa iba? Paano nakatutulong sa iyo ang kaalaman tungkol sa kabutihan ng Diyos upang magawa mong ibahagi ang kabutihang ito sa iyong mga relasyon?
DAHIL ANG DIYOS AY MAAWAIN, PANGHABAMBUHAY ANG PAGPAPALANG ATING INAABANGAN.
MGA NATUTUNAN
PAG-ISIPAN
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MANALANGIN
Ginawa niya ito para maipakita niya sa lahat, sa darating na panahon, ang hindi mapapantayang kasaganaan ng biyaya niya atkabutihan na ibinigay niya sa atin sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus.
Mga Taga-Efeso 2:7 ASNDPanginoon, ang Iyong mapagmahal na kabutihan ang humihila sa akin palapit sa Iyo, tungo sa pagsisisi, at tungo sa pagpapalang ipinangako. Wala akong nagawa upang maging karapat-dapat na tumanggap ng Iyong kabutihan. Ngunit kay Cristo, ibinibigay Mo ang lahat ng aking espirituwal, pisikal, emosyonal, pinansyal, at iba pang pangangailangan. Ang kabutihan Mo ay nagdadala ng saya sa aking puso sa lahat ng panahon. Maraming salamat sa Iyong walang hanggang biyaya. Sa pagbubukas Mo ng aking mga mata upang makita ang kabutihan Mo sa aking buhay, tulungan Mo po ako na maipakita ang kabutihang ito sa mga tao sa paligid ko. Sa pangalan ni Jesus, amen.
GOD IS KIND
He has done it to show the riches of his grace for all time to come. His grace can’t be compared with anything else. He has shown it by being kind to us.
Ephesians 2:7 NIRV
Have you ever received a trophy, medal, or other award for something you did? Maybe it was for a sport or game. Perhaps you won a math or science contest at school. Or maybe you like playing games on your phone because of the prizes and badges you get when you level up.
Usually when we receive an award, it is because we did something to deserve it. But God’s kindness to us does not depend on what we have or haven’t done. What’s so amazing about His kindness is that it’s freely given, not earned or deserved. In fact, the Bible teaches us that God shows His loving-kindness to those who don’t deserve it! Because God loves us, He gives of Himself, not for what He can gain, but for what we gain.
How can we respond to this great kindness? Gratitude! God is kind to us in a lot of ways. He has forgiven us. He has healed us. He has blessed us in many ways. He has given us eternal life. He has sent His angels to protect us. He makes us feel better when we feel bad. There’s so much more! He even promises us eternity with Him. Because God shows us so much kindness, we can also be kind to others, so they will come to know God and who He is through us.
I CAN BE KIND BECAUSE GOD IS KIND TO ME.
REFLECT
God is kind to us all the time, even when we don’t deserve His kindness. How will this truth change the way you relate with God? With others?
Write the names of three people whom you want to extend God’s kindness to, even when you don’t feel like it. Pray for them. Pray for God’s grace upon you to show His kindness to them.
PRAY
Dear God, thank You for Your loving kindness to me. I know that I don’t deserve any of the kindness You have shown me. All I can say is thank You for all the blessings that I have received, all because of Your kindness. I pray that I will always grow deeper into knowing how kind You are to me, so that I will always have a grateful heart. Help me to show kindness to others, no matter what. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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