Prayer: Father God, I thank you for this new day. I praise and worship you. Thank you for all the blessings that you have given me and thank you for your amazing love and for being my strong tower and helping me to live for Jesus, my saviour. Please speak to me today and help me to give you the worship you are worthy off.  And as I come before your throne of grace and mercy. I confess and acknowledge I have sinned against you in thought and deed.

I ask you to forgive me and, in your grace, purify my heart and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I now receive your forgiveness and mercy in the name of my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Scripture Reading for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 34:1-3

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” 2 My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice.” 3 Exalt the Lord with me, And let’s exalt His name together.”

Worship Song Sung or Said: Jesus How Lovely You Are (Dave Bolton)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X46cTjSjddE

Jesus, How Lovely You Are You Are So Gentle, So Pure and Kind
You Shine as The Morning Star, Jesus, How Lovely You Are

Hallelujah, Jesus Died and Rose again; Hallelujah, Jesus Is My Everything                                             Hallelujah, Jesus Died And Rose again; Hallelujah, Jesus Forgave All My Sin.

Jesus, How Lovely You Are You Are So Gentle, So Pure and Kind
You Shine as The Morning Star, Jesus, How Lovely You Are

Hallelujah, Jesus Is Meek and Lowly; Hallelujah, Jesus Is Pure and Holy.

Hallelujah, Jesus Is The Bridegroom; Hallelujah, Jesus Will Take His Bride Soon

Jesus, How Lovely You Are You Are So Gentle, So Pure and Kind
You Shine as The Morning Star Jesus, How Lovely You Are.

Gods Word for Today:  Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 

Devotional/Study: Part 2

Brothers and sisters when I first gave my life to Jesus and made the decision to follow and live for him, it was the best decision I made in my life. Although I believed in him, I don’t think I really knew him, however I grew to know him more as I spent time in prayer and reading Gods word. 

Since then, I have grown to know him more and more. However, along that journey there has been ups and downs. Despite the difficulties my heart’s desire has always been to know him. I assume that is your heart’s desire. I believe we cannot live the life God wants us to live, unless we abide in Christ. Because it’s in the abiding our fellowship with him deepens, And if we stay close and are in union with him, he will remain in us. Once when Jesus was talking to his followers, he said in John 15:4 "Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”

The more we abide in Christ the more our relationship with him deepens and brings joy into the heart of Jesus. He is filled with joy when we seek to know and love him.  There is nothing greater in life than knowing and loving Jesus. And the more we know him the more we will discover who he is and recognise is voice. Jesus longs to speak to us, do you want to hear his voice, do you want to know what’s in his heart, if so, we need to abide in Him, spend quality time in prayer and reading the word of God. 

It raises a question for you and me, are we abiding in Christ, are we growing to love him more and more and are we discovering who he is? 

In our reading Matthew 11:28, we saw yesterday Jesus calls us to come to Him and in this verse, we also discover a glimpse of who he is. There is a phrase that opens the door into the heart of Jesus’ and gives us a wonderful description of who he is. 

It’s a phrase that has opened my eyes and heart to see who Jesus is in a fresh way, as you read this just take some time to reflect on this phrase “I am gentle and humble in heart.” What does this mean for you? This is who Jesus is to all those who know and love him. It so amazing to think that Jesus is the lion of Judah, the king of kings, the lord of lord, the son of the living God, the image of the invisible God, the prince of peace and amid his greatness, he is “gentle and humble in heart.” 

Jesus’ life was a perfect example of gentleness. He doesn’t just act gentle, gentleness is who he is and out of the gentleness of his heart flows, kindness, tenderness and compassion and humility. Some people think that gentleness is weakness, however within gentleness there is strength. When you look at life of Jesus and see all he said and done, you discover amid his gentle character there was inner strength.

“Jesus’ gentleness is not weakness or powerlessness, “It is strength under control.” (Edward Finlayson).

In life many of us have had difficult lives from the past and to the present and therefore our lives can be a bit fragile. When something is fragile it needs to be handled with care. I am so full of joy that out Lord and saviour Jesus is gentle in how he deals with us. And it’s in his gentleness, we experience his wonderful and loving touch and healing words that sooth our souls. It’s been said “Gentleness is actively showing goodness and kindness toward others by treating people in a gentle manner which shows concern and care for them” (Peter Amsterdam).

Although Jesus is gentle, he was also assertive and strong and even confrontational, but he never abused his power. Everything he did and say was to bring glory to God and help people to live a righteous life. It said that “Gentleness is a strong hand with a soft touch.”

(https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/the-strength-of-gentleness/)

Jesus is the lion of Judah but also the lamb of God. And as the lamb of God, he is not soft on sin and because of his holiness he will not tolerate sin. His gentleness brings healing and at the same time he will rebuke anything that is against the will of God and ungodly. 

Knowing Jesus is gentle, and has shown gentleness to us, our lives must be filled with His gentleness and reflected in our dealings with his people. 

Throughout my ministry I have met many people who I would say are fragile and I know I need to be gentle with them. Jesus knows how fragile we are, he handles us with care. When our lives are totally surrendered to God and we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the fruit that will flow out of hearts is gentleness. 

Brothers and sisters, we are all called to be gentle and kind and tender-hearted Paul the apostle throughout his writings called Christians to be gentle. 

Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Against such things there is no law.”

I Timothy 6:11 "But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”

Ephesians 4:2 "Always be humble and gentle.” Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

In all of these verses Paul mentions gentleness. When we live a life of gentleness showing kindness and been tender-heartedness, we reveal the presence of Jesus in our lives. 

As the people of God, we are not to be harsh, instead we are to be kind, loving, tender towards one another. 

Are you a gentle person? Do our attitudes and actions, behaviour and words display gentleness? 

Brothers and sisters when we treat people with gentleness, we will reflect the presence of Christ. Paul the apostle lived out a life of gentleness. He gives us a glimpse how he treated others. We read in 1 Thessalonians 2:6-8 "6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.” 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.” Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you.” Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 

During my ministry I have come across some amazing Christians, but there is one who shines out and demonstrates the gentleness of Christ in his life. He lives in Pakistan and I would describe him as someone who is gentle and humble in spirit. I have noticed in all his relationships he shows humility and genuine lovingkindness towards others. Having spent many years with him I see Christ in him.

Would you and be described as gentle and humble in spirit. 

Personal Prayers: