GENTLENESS. Part 2.

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The apostle Paul by way of testimony said to the Thessalonian saints, "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." First Thessalonians 2, 7 Such was his manner. As a kind mother is to a delicate child, so was he to those whom he loved. Vastly different was he then from what he was when he was persecuting and wasting the church of God. He had been changed by grace. He exhorts servants of the Lord to "be gentle unto all men" , Second Timothy 2, 24, and to be "gentle, showing all meekness unto all men" , Titus 3, 2, . David, in his sublime tribute of praise to God in Second Samuel 22, 36 says, "Thy gentleness hath made me great."

Would you, my reader, like to be more gentle in your manner? Are you too harsh and rough? Are you, if a parent, as gentle to your children as you should be, at all times? Husband, are you as kind and gentle toward your wife as you should be? Do you believe you fill the Bible measure in this particular? Are you as gentle to your domestic animals as you should be? or do you have impatient feelings and act in a hasty, abrupt manner towards them? If you meet with something quite provoking from your wife or the children or the animals, do you keep as mild and sweet as you know you should? Now, I hope you will examine closely. I do not mean to condemn you; I want to help you. There are many professing saints today who are not nearly so gentle as they should be. Why not be in earnest, and seek God for help, and make improvement? Why go along with crossness, and coldness and snappishness in your life? Be gentle toward all.

Gentleness is a beauteous grace. Her excellence is great. By culture this grace is capable of much improvement. Too few saints experience it to the extent they should. I beseech you by the gentleness of Jesus to be in earnest and improve upon your gentleness. Never allow a frown or a scowl to settle for a moment upon your brow. It will leave its mark if you do so. Learn to be gentle in your home. Sometimes when far away from home, you picture to yourself how gentle and kind and loving you should be at home. By God's grace you can be just as gentle as you see in the picture you should.

Today, we respond to a listener's question: Why did God allow Kelli to suffer?

We had an anonymous commenter who asked a very serious question, and I, a listener and Terry Green attempt to share our beliefs regarding that subject. They read or listened to Kelli's story (Terry Green's testimony from last week), and was puzzled regarding why God would allow Kelli to suffer.

In the face of Katrina and Rita, suffering is a very real subject.

So we took the question seriously, and answered as best as we could. We invite you to share your response to "Curious'" question as well. If you have something to share, or a miracle that God has provided for you, please let us know. You can call it into the recording line at the http://www.WordsForTheWeek.com website, or leave your comments there, and I'll make sure they are shared with everyone.

Blessings and peace to all of you from Encouraging Audiobooks.

(Kelli and her daughter prior to the accident.)

Today, Terry Green, of http://www.myfastype.com shares the story of what happened this week with her daughter Kelli, a quadraplegic since her 25th birthday, 4 1/2 years ago.

It is a story of God's continuing faithfulness that will inspire anyone, from those who have experienced tragic illness to those simply struggling with the every day challenges of life.

Please share this story with someone who needs to be encouraged by God's goodness and care.

Someone needs to know God is still on the throne, and He cares about them, and is on their side.

If you have a true life story of how God has proven himself real to you, please share it at http://www.WordsForTheWeek.com, or call in your story at 214-231-2911 x. 6543.

Declare His praise to all generations! (For the entire story in text, click "Read More"...)

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GENTLENESS. Part 1.


Fruit-bearing trees are used in the Scriptures to represent the race of mankind. The Savior likens the wicked to "corrupt trees," which bear evil fruit and the righteous to "good trees" which bear good fruit , Matthew 7, 15, 20, . He also teaches very emphatically the impossibility of one's being a good tree and yet bearing evil fruit, or of being a corrupt tree and bearing good fruit. Since the nature of the fruit we bear determines what manner of tree we are, it is very advisable that we as professing Christians should frequently examine the fruit we are bearing. To be Christ's, or to be a Christian, we must have the Spirit of Christ; for the Scriptures say that "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" , Romans 8, 9.

As certainly as cause produces effect, those who have the Spirit of Christ bear the fruit of the Spirit. Not to bear the fruit of the Spirit is full proof that you have not the Spirit. Then a close examination of the fruit you are bearing will reveal to you whether or not you have the Spirit of Christ, whether or not you are his, whether or not you are a Christian. You can make a superficial examination, and allow yourself to be deceived. You can make excuses for yourself because of your weaknesses, and thus deceive yourself. But a close, thorough, profound examination will disclose to each one the manner of spirit he is of.

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