acts of kindness

How Can We Imitate Christ and Please God with Our Actions?

April 11, 2023Jeannie Waters31 Comments

Thank you for joining me in this four-part series where I’m sharing from my study on how we can open all parts of our hearts—our thoughts, words, and actions—to the Light of Christ. Here are links to Open Our Hearts PART 1, Open Our Hearts, PART 2 about our thoughts, and Open Our Hearts, PART 3 about our words.

Here’s PART 4 about our actions.

At age six, my younger brother Carson wanted to be just like Daddy, the man he admired. He patterned his actions after Daddy’s and even matched his clothes as closely as he could.

When my dad came home from work and traded his suit and tie for work pants and a plaid button-up shirt, Carson scurried to his room, selected similar clothing, and followed Daddy to the garden. If Daddy used a rake to smooth the soil, Carson retrieved his child-sized version and raked while looking up every few minutes to observe his role model’s actions.

Carson wanted to be like Daddy, and we want to be like our Father. Let’s look at Scripture and ask the Lord to show us how we can emulate Him in our hearts and actions.

All who surrender to Christ become God’s children (John 1:12) and inherit the privilege of looking to Him for direction about our actions. We can read about the life of Jesus when He walked on the earth, and we can apply biblical values like prayer, Bible study, good deeds, and forgiveness to the way we choose to spend our days.

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 John 2:6 ESV *

Jesus didn’t isolate Himself and limit His care to His family and friends. He noticed needs and brushed shoulders with people who lived or traveled nearby. He sat down with His disciples and taught them. He fed hungry multitudes. He conversed with a Samaritan woman many avoided. He visited Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector. With the words He spoke on the cross, He testified to a thief and forgave him when the thief believed.

Jesus interacted with people and met physical and spiritual needs. God gives gifts, talents, time, and possessions to us so that we can discern, demonstrate His love, and give to people in need—in need of food, clothing, friendship, encouragement, or the gospel message. He said,

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
John 13:34

God gives gifts, talents, time, and possessions to us so that we can discern and give to people in need—in need of food, clothing, friendship, encouragement, or the gospel message. Share on X

The following passage mirrors the heart of Jesus as He loved and ministered to those around Him. These words Paul penned can guide our actions.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4

Recently, I’ve observed examples of unselfish believers who “looked to the interests of others” by using the time, gifts, and opportunities God has given them. Their actions reflect the heart of Christ.

Kimberly donated a percentage of her yard sale proceeds to a homeless shelter for veterans.
Jimmie befriended a stroke victim by taking him on rides in the car, pushing his wheelchair around a track, and later helping him learn to walk again.
After Will opened a car door for Anna, she smiled and said no one had done that for her in decades.
John and Phil built a ramp for Sandy who had broken her ankle.
Joann coordinated food delivery for a church member who had surgery.
Laurie shared the gospel message with an employee in a medical facility.
Beth transported a friend for medical appointments and shopping needs.

Paul prayed Christians would “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

We can look to Jesus as our example, pray and ask God to open our eyes to needs around us, and study the Bible so that our actions represent Him and minister to others.

Your Turn

My brother Carson followed in our dad’s footsteps and patterned his actions after Daddy’s. How can we pattern our actions after the life of Jesus? How have you seen other Christians “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord … bearing fruit in every good work”?

*All verses are taken from the ESV.

Renew Your Walk with God: A New Heart for Spring

April 7, 2021Jeannie Waters16 Comments

Blog post series:

On March 16, I began a new series about renewing our walk with God as He renews the earth in the spring.

Here’s a link to the first in the series: Renew Your Walk with God This Spring

In it I suggested we start a new journal or notebook to log:

(1) our physical walks and (2) the characteristics of Jesus we notice as we read the Bible.

Slip on your comfortable shoes and join me on our ongoing path. We will consider ways to renew our walk with God this spring by prayer, study, and imitating God.

Part Two:

As we “walk” notice the way God dresses the trees with bright green leaves. They dance in the breeze and seem to shout, “We’re alive. Welcome to spring.”

Don’t you love the way God transforms winter’s drab grays and browns with brushstrokes of freshness and new life? Call the vibrant colors lime, chartreuse, spring green, neon green, or any other name on the color spectrum between blue and yellow.

The new shades represent vitality, excitement, and the beginning of a new season. Some of the greens even have a dash of cheery yellow. If we ever needed God’s cheer and freshness, my friend, it’s this year following the doldrums of a COVID winter.

Maybe you’ll identify with the observations of Carrie, a park ranger at the Catoctin Mountain Park in northern Maryland as she described spring outings:

It’s that sense of escape, like animals coming out of hibernation. We as humans are escaping the cabin fever, we’re wanting to get out on the trails and really discover the changes. ¹

How about you? Perhaps the hibernation of COVID clouded your heart with discouragement, frustration, and preoccupation with the fear of illness or social distancing.

Or maybe you remained positive but long for the freedom of spring and increased closeness to the Lord.

Let’s leave winter behind and explore the beautiful new greens that bedazzle our view while we ask God to examine our hearts. If we belong to Him, He can dress our hearts in the fashion of new life in Christ.

First, a little about those light green spring colors …

Editor Catherine Meyers of insidescience.org shares the way scientists explain the shades of early spring:

Young leaflets’ chloroplasts — the part of the plant that contains the green pigment chlorophyll — are still developing, so the leaves tend to be lighter. ²

Chlorophyll absorbs the sunlight plants need to manufacture energy for growth. Likewise, our spiritual lives require light–God’s light–which shines into our hearts as we pray. When we study God’s Word, the Holy Spirit teaches us more about our walk with Christ.

We simply cannot manufacture renewal with our own energy sources. God is responsible for heart changes.

It is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13 NASB

That’s freeing. I cannot change my own heart, but I’m responsible for studying the Bible, praying for transformation (Romans 12:2), and imitating Him.

Let’s begin our spring study with verse 12 of this passage:

Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 NASB

When spring arrives, the trees “put on” their new green foliage. At the same time, we replace heavy jackets, turtlenecks, and dark colors with light-weight sweaters, short-sleeved shirts, and pastels.

In Colossians, Paul wrote the imperative statement, “Put on.” Christians are to “dress themselves” in the qualities Jesus demonstrated rather than in sinful attitudes.

Imagine reaching into your closet and trying on a garment labeled “compassion,” or “kindness.” What would they look like? How would they fit?

The life of Jesus provides examples.

Jesus demonstrated compassion by His kind actions.

He felt pity, care, and concern for people in need. He healed a leper, gave sight to the blind, and fed hungry people. His heart filled with compassion for sinful man (Matthew 9:35-36, Luke 19:41-42) and He preached good news (Luke 4:43). He even spent time with Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector. Jesus told him, “Hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5).

Jesus put compassion into action by reaching out to others with acts of kindness. Maybe we could define kindness as “compassion in action.”

Jesus put compassion into action by reaching out to others with acts of kindness. Maybe we could define compassion as love in action. Share on X

After asking God to renew our hearts and dress them with compassion and kindness, how can we show the compassion and kindness of Jesus to others? Here are some suggestions.

Showing Compassion and Kindness This Spring

For neighbors or friends who may be unable to complete required home maintenance:

Offer to clean a flower bed for an elderly neighbor, and then refill it with straw.
Create an attractive gift certificate “good for” three hours of outdoor work.
Clean porch or deck furniture and offer to pressure wash if you’re able.
Plant flowers in deck or porch containers.
Enlist a teenager or college student to help you.

For elderly friends and church members (Consider COVID protocols.):

Take someone for a ride around town to see spring’s beauty.
Call to schedule a patio visit with someone in a healthcare facility.
Offer to conduct a devotional at a facility.
Call those who are elderly or incapacitated and offer to run errands.

For new neighbors or graduating seniors:

Create a special greeting card and share a favorite family dessert.
Plan a socially distanced cookout or lemonade and cookie snack.
Share publications from your church and links for online services.

What are additional ways we could show compassion and kindness as Jesus did? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Next time, we’ll consider more of this passage as we seek to imitate Christ.

An excellent resource for renewing your walk with God:

If you’re looking for a devotional book to accompany your spring walk with God, consider Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible by Lori Hatcher. It’s one of my favorites.

Here’s a link: Refresh Your Faith

¹Meyers, Catherine, editor. “Spring Green: Why Do New Leaves Have a Lighter Color?” American Institute of Physics, accessed April 7, 2021, https://www.insidescience.org/news/spring-green-why-do-new-leaves-have-lighter-color

²Ibid

Share a Little Fall Cheer

October 16, 2019Jeannie Waters14 Comments

Do you sometimes abandon efficiency and choose the scenic route? I do. While running errands, I drive out of my way to visit my favorite fall site—a street in our town that is lined with gingko trees.

When the temperature cools, the green fan-shaped gingko leaves transform into brilliant splashes of yellow. When the leaves fall, the sidewalk looks like sunshine pooled on the earth, and it makes me happy.

Think about the color palette God chooses for fall decorating. Red maple leaves, orange pumpkins, golden chrysanthemums, brown chestnuts, and more. They’re all pretty, but the yellow of the gingko trees is my favorite.

Some homeowners add yellow accessories throughout the year to brighten living spaces. Touches of this pretty color add a feeling of warmth and welcome. Wouldn’t you agree that yellow is cheery? And who doesn’t need a bit of mirth in their lives?

Consider some of cheer’s synonyms that can mean more than simply a merry feeling: gladness, joy, delight, comfort, and encouragement. ¹ Visual beauty can offer a measure of happiness, but, as the Bible teaches, our hearts need deep joy, peace, and cheer.

Even while imprisoned, the apostle Paul demonstrated the importance of caring for the hearts of other people. With concern for his worried friends, he sent Tychicus to encourage them (Ephesians 6:21-22, Colossians 4:7-8).

So too, Jesus wanted his disciples, and us, to have courage and comfort in difficult situations. Three of the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, and John—record how Jesus calmed the fears of His disciples during a storm at sea.

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.
Matthew 14:27

Some Bible translations use the phrase “take courage” rather than “be of good cheer,” but we know that Jesus provides peace and encouragement to troubled souls.

When preparing followers for His impending death and resurrection, Jesus said,

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

As gingko trees bring sunshine to the surrounding area, we can share cheer with others from the well of joy and comfort Jesus supplies for us. Let’s share some ideas for doing just that.

Practical Ways to Spread Cheer

Encouraging Words

Write short Bible verses on a pumpkin to be given away.
Choose bookmarks with Bible verses to share with freshly baked oatmeal cookies (homemade or bakery version). Tie the bag with a fall-colored ribbon.
Offer to pray with someone who shares a concern.
Make a greeting card with a pretty fall picture and add encouraging words.
Take time to visit someone who needs a listening ear or fellowship. (Weather changes make good conversation starters.)

Take an elderly person who can’t drive for a ride to view autumn’s beauty and then, share a cup of hot apple cider.
Contact a local ministry to purchase a Thanksgiving meal for someone.
Rake a neighbor’s yard as a surprise blessing.
Offer to help a widow winter proof her home.
Invite neighbors to watch a Saturday football game and attend church with you on Sunday if they don’t have a church of their own. Fire up the grill or serve chili dogs.

Meaningful Gifts

Donate warm socks to a homeless shelter.
Purchase a gift card for a pumpkin latte or cup of cocoa as a “thinking of you” gift.
Bake small loaves of apple or pumpkin bread to share.
Take a pot of mums to someone recovering from surgery.
Share a basket of delicious fall apples or place an apple on each co-worker’s desk. Add a card with the following verse:

Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 17:8

Let’s brighten someone’s fall day by sharing a little cheer, shall we?

I hope you’ll contribute an idea to the comment section below to add to our “share a little fall cheer” lists.

All Scripture verses are taken from the NKJV.

¹https://www.thesaurus.com/

Change Someone’s Day by Noticing

August 21, 2019Jeannie Waters21 Comments

My friend’s day changed when someone noticed.

Angela, a young wife and mother of three, gave me permission to share her recent online post:

To the mama in the Target parking lot that saw me struggling to unload three kids and yelled across the parking lot, “You’re doing great, Mama,” thank you for seeing me. To the mama in Chick-Fil-A who helped me lug my crew out to my van, thank you for seeing me. To the mama in Kroger who offered to give me a hand grocery shopping with my kiddos, thank you for seeing me. To each of these mamas, thank you for seeing me and for challenging me to take the time to see others struggling the same ways I do every day. I see you.

After reading Angela’s post, I asked myself these questions:

When I’m in a hurry, do I avert my eyes as if a struggling person didn’t exist?
With a judgmental attitude, do I assume the person brought the situation on herself by making poor choices?
Do I wish someone else would help instead of me?
Am I sensitive to the Holy Spirit about when to offer help and when to pray? (Every need I observe is not God’s call for direct ministry.)
Do I look for opportunities to obey the following verse?

Be kind to one another.
Ephesians 4:32

Jesus paid attention to individuals. I imagine Him establishing eye contact which conveyed kindness, unconditional love, and acceptance for those He met. Perhaps He stopped on dusty roads or turned around in the marketplace to honor the lonely with a kind smile. We know that He visited with a leper (Mark 1:40-45), the sick (Matthew 8:1-4), the lame (John 5:2-9), and a woman at the well who was ignored by others (John 4:4-26).

In our effort to be more Christlike, let’s consider three ways Jesus paid attention to the needs of others and demonstrated kindness.

Meeting a Physical Need

In John 6 we read that Jesus realized the crowd of 5,000 grew hungry as they listened. With five loaves of bread and two fish, He fed the multitude. We could offer physical help by providing food, taking an ill person to medical appointments, or participating in a ministry project.

Sharing Time with Others

Matthew 19 reveals the way Jesus took time to notice children and spend time with them. Time is valuable. Spending it wisely by ministering to other people demonstrates the way we value them. Being ignored provokes feelings of desperation, lack of self-worth, and loneliness. A kind word or smile can speak volumes. Complimenting a custodian on the shiny floors or a clerk for efficient service could make their day brighter.

Teaching Someone about Salvation in Christ

In Mark 2 we read that Jesus conversed with Levi, who was a despised tax collector in need of a relationship with God. As the Holy Spirit leads, we can share our story of following Christ and lead others to His saving grace. Establishing relationships with others can pave the way to fruitful conversation.

Of course, in potentially dangerous situations, the wise choice may be to pray for the person and perhaps seek help from a safe source. We need guidance from the Holy Spirit to know when to pray and when to act as we pray.

Let’s ask God to send opportunities this week to notice, to extend kindness, and to pray for others. This post will become more valuable as you share your thoughts or experiences. Won’t you post a comment?

Thank you, Angela Scully, for sharing your story.

Who Needs an Act of Kindness?

April 26, 2019Jeannie Waters4 Comments

“Really? Is Laura really coming to stay with me for the summer? Oh, that’s wonderful!” my mom said.

My niece, Laura, decided to spend six weeks with her grandmother between nursing school graduation and the start date for her new job.

Mema, as she was called by grandchildren, experienced health issues that rendered her unable to cook, drive, and shop. Usually not one to be discouraged, she grew lonely at times. Can you imagine the joy of discovering that a beloved granddaughter would be coming for a long visit?

Laura’s nursing training and culinary skills were beneficial during her stay, but the best medicines she offered were lovingkindness and companionship sprinkled with joy and laughter. She planned weekly movie and pizza nights. They played games and watched the wildlife that inhabited my mom’s rural property.

While they visited, Laura cut and arranged squares for a quilt and asked Mama’s opinion about colors and patterns. Watching the progression of the quilting process and offering suggestions filled my mom with delight as once again she could help and encourage someone else. (Thank you, Laura, for loving her well.)

Grandmother and granddaughter reminisced over old family photos and retold favorite stories. I know my mom went to sleep each night with a smile on her face. A sweet act of kindness by this granddaughter—a six-week venture requiring forfeiture of beach days with friends—was a valued gift.

Jesus told a parable about a man whose acts of kindness were costly. The Samaritan’s sacrifice required time and money as he ministered to a man who was beaten by robbers and left on the roadside. The kind helper bandaged the victim’s wounds, transported him to an inn, and provided money for his care (Luke 10:25-37). Acts of kindness in this case required the Samaritan to interrupt his travel plans to minister to another person. Jesus encouraged His listeners,

You go, and do likewise.

–Luke 10:37

He also taught,

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

–Mark 12:31

Extending kindness does not always require significant expenditures of time and money. Actions needing little-to-no resources can be equally valuable to the recipient. A simple smile and acknowledgment of one’s presence or accomplishment can brighten someone’s day.

Weekly, there are opportunities to love our neighbors—people we encounter at various places—by performing acts of kindness. Here are examples I’ve observed:

picking up a grocery order for an elderly lady
opening a store early to fit a wig for a chemo patient
preparing a holiday meal for a patient with no family nearby
performing free handyman services for a single mom
opening a door for a person using a walker
driving a neighbor to physical therapy
welcoming a church visitor and offering them a seat
providing a tour of the town to a young woman from another country
baking blueberry muffins for a shut-in
shipping diapers to a young family
sharing garden produce with a neighbor

An act of kindness is a treasure passed from one person to another. The recipient may be a stranger or a dear friend, and the act may be small or large in monetary value or time commitment, but the result is a blessing. What treasures of kindness can you share?

The Kindness Challenge

Step One: Pray and ask God to place a person or persons on your heart who need an act of kindness this week.

Step Two: Watch for opportunities at home, at work, or wherever you are.

Step Three: Share in the comments below some examples of acts of kindness. Have you been the grateful recipient of one?

Tag: acts of kindness