Day 23: Produce Fruit!

 

Day 23: Produce Fruit – Kindness and Goodness

Read and Meditate on:        Matthew 25: 31 - 40

                                                      Ephesians 4: 32

                                                      II Peter 1: 5 – 9

      Christ requires us to produce fruit.  It’s not enough to say that we “love” the poor or the afflicted or even our enemies.  He requires us to show them kindness and goodness.  That requires action on our part. 

      Showing kindness includes compassion, which is truly caring about both the physical and spiritual condition of another soul.  It may also require gentleness in a difficult situation, time, and the sharing of material blessings.  

Perhaps that’s why patience comes before “kindness and goodness”.  Time is something we seem to find difficult to part with, largely because we are so consumed with the busyness of our own lives.  Yet, serving others is exactly what Christ did.  He often interrupted His schedule and His plans to meet the needs of the sick, the lame and the poor. 

Today, take a good look at the world around you.  See the poor and the downtrodden and the hurting through Jesus’ eyes.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you show kindness and goodness to a lost world so that the world may see Christ in you.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanksgiving:

Supplication:

Father, help me to see the world and its people through your eyes.  Holy Spirit guide me in showing kindness and goodness to those in need.  Help me to put aside my own selfish desires and my agenda to reach out to Your children.  May I serve in all humility so that You receive all the glory.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received – only what you have given.” St. Francis of Assisi

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