Morning
The fruit of the Spirit is . . . kindness.
The humble … shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. § Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. § The incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit … is very precious in the sight of God. § Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.
Pursue … gentleness. § Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. § He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not his mouth. § Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return … but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.
Gal. 5:22; Isa. 29:19; Matt. 18:3–4; 1 Peter 3:4;
1 Cor. 13:4; 1 Tim. 6:11; Matt. 11:29; Isa. 53:7; 1 Peter 2:21–23
Evening
If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report. § All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. § The offense of the cross.
If I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you … But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
To you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. § If One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. § If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.
Luke 9:23; 2 Cor. 6:8; 2 Tim. 3:12; Gal. 5:11; 1:10;
1 Peter 4:14–16; Phil. 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:14–15; 2 Tim. 2:12
