"Gentleness Enters Noticeably Through Lord’s Empowerment, Now Enabling Seeking Saints! (G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S)/”What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?” By Ramesh C. Reddy

Updated on Wed, June 27, 2012 at 08:47 a.m. (EST) & 06:17 a.m. (IST), JUNE 2012 Edition

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“Gentleness Enters Noticeably Through Lord’s Empowerment, Now Enabling Seeking Saints! (G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5)

OBSERVATION/INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself the significance of verse 5?
I found verse 5 so profound because the Apostle Paul is writing after he has been roughed up in prison, whipped with lashes, and shackled in chains. Yet, he writes to the Philippians to tell them to let their gentleness be evident to all.

What stuck out to me is ‘evident to all’. He is not telling them just to let their gentleness be evident to those whom they know or those who treat them well but everyone who comes across them. Wow! He wants everyone to notice their gentleness.

I asked myself how can Paul be talking about gentleness after what he has been put through?
For me the answer became evident when Paul stated, “The Lord is near.”

No matter what they are facing, he wanted them to be gentle knowing the Lord is at hand to help them. He wanted them to be an example of Christ to those around them and leave the judgment to the Lord.

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the important implications for my own life?
It is not anything great for me to be gentle with those who are gentle with me. Anybody can do that. I need to be gentle with everyone especially those who irritate me, annoy me, and give me pain even if I do not want to! Yup, I have faced all those things and sometimes still face them. I need to remember that my actions will reflect how people who know me as a Christian will view Jesus Christ. If my attitude is the way Jesus wants me to be, that will be evident to all and the credit will go to Jesus and not to me.

I want my actions to reflect the credit going to Jesus Christ. I need to be focused on the Lord knowing He is at hand no matter what I am facing.

HOW GOSPEL GIVES ME TESTIMONY REGARDING G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S:
When, I was pursuing Chandraleela, I saw her as the most gentle person with lots of love in the relationship. She would be so gentle to me even when I was in the wrong many times. After marriage, it has continued with my sweet, gentle wife Leela. She cares for me so much. I told my wife that I want others who she comes across too such as her brothers-in-law, her mother-in-law, brothers and sisters from church, etc always see her as the gentle person she is.

I also told her a story about myself when I was young. When I became a follower of Christ, and was leaving one school for another, a person wrote, "Ramesh, you are someone I know who does not have even a hate bone in his body". I gave the credit to Jesus because it is all about Him and not me.

Unfortunately, that statement cannot describe my whole life as a Christian because I have hated and not let my life be governed by the love of Jesus all the time. Through hate, I have not always been gentle.

One time my mom remarked to me and asked me, 'Ramesh, what ever happened to the Ramesh who never had a hate bone in his body'. I tried to justify my hate but there is no justification for hate or for not exhibiting the quality of gentleness. But, I can say gentleness was not evident to all because of my selfishness walking in the lust of the flesh instead of walking in the Spirit.

I wanted my wife to always maintain gentleness with those around her and I want to do the same. My wife patiently heard my story. My prayer is both of us will display gentleness to those around us as we let the Fruit of the Spirit work in us.

I am so convicted of Paul exhorting the Philippians to show gentleness that will be evident to all that they are followers of Christ and I want to do that too. I cannot do that on my own because only the Fruit of the Spirit will give me that gentleness. Help me Jesus. Others can then see our gentleness daily only when Christ works in us. It can happen because of our dependence on the Lord Jesus to help us show gentleness towards anyone. It is a measure of gentleness given to me by the Lord. Thank you Jesus!

I ask you now dear friend what measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?
Dear friend, take it from me it is not easy being gentle especially when we are wronged and hurt. I know because I have been there and no matter what I did, I still felt isolated and hurt. This made me angry and resentful but what happened to me is nothing compared to what happened to Paul. Regardless, I am touched how Paul is able to talk about gentleness in his confinement. I do not know how much gentleness is evident to others from your life but it can be evident friend. All you need is Jesus and remembering no matter what you are faced with, the Lord is at hand.

Today, I was so blessed to read Psalm 27 and mediate on few of the verses!

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation! (Psalm 27:1, TLB)

"Don't be impatient. Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous! For the Lord will help you!" (Psalm 27)

It can be easy to be impatient with others especially when they are not gentle but the awesome thing is that we can be gentle because of the Lord. What we go through is nothing compared to what Paul went through and yet he spoke about rejoicing in the Lord and gentleness. He wanted it to be evident to all and not just those who treat you well. I am convicted to do my part. May you do your part to no matter what you face.

Nothing happens without the Lord’s knowledge and He can change any situation around. I don’t know why some things are not changed right now but I am going to wait on the Lord, ‘for they that wait upon the Lord will mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint’ as stated in Isaiah 40:31

Maybe stuff happened to you that the pain is too much to bear and the last thing you want to be is gentle towards people. The Lord sees your pain friend. Stuff happened to me in the past that I wanted to isolate myself from everybody. In a way I acted cold but it did not help anybody including myself. It only allowed bitterness to build on the inside and have ‘them against me’ attitude!

What gives me console is that the Lord is at hand and near no matter what we are facing. He can give us the strength to endure and if the Lord wants our gentleness to be evident to all, there is a reason. I cannot question that but faithfully pray and act that way depending on my Lord Jesus Christ! When you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior, He will give you the spirit of gentleness for the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness, and self-control.

May your gentleness flow in people’s lives as you turn to the Lord at hand! Amen!

"Gentleness Enters Noticeably Through Lord’s Empowerment, Now Enabling Seeking Saints! (G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S)/”What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?”

PRAYER:
Jesus, as I read your Word, I learn the importance of gentleness. I am also reminded that it is one of the Fruit of the Spirit. I want to exhibit gentleness to everyone around me especially when things don’t go my way. I cannot do it on my own for my flesh takes over when I am upset and don’t turn to you. Help me Jesus to seek you always and let my gentleness be evident to all including those that have hurt me. Please Lord for that is the attitude you want us to have. It is hard but you say it in your Word and I want to obey. Help us Lord in our lives to exhibit that gentleness so that others can see your love in us and come to you. May we be your instruments of peace and sow love where there is hatred, peace where there is discord as St. Francis of Assisi once prayed. Thank you Lord you are at hand and we can know we are never out of your love and never out of your reach. You know what happens to us so help us to hold on to you and trust you even when we don’t understand. Please Jesus. Thank you so much Jesus for your help. Thank you Jesus for hearing us and answering us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone. May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2012 DEVOTIONALS:

Philippians 4:4: "When do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 26, 12, 09:26 a.m.)

Philippians 4:3: "How have you C.A.M.P.A.I.G.N.E.D for Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 25, 12, 08:58 a.m.)

Philippians 4:2: "How do you respond to a P.L.E.A.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:45 a.m.)

Philippians 4:1: "Where do you S.T.A.N.D on love in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:40 a.m.)

Philippians 3:20-21: "What C.I.T.I.Z.E.N.S.H.I.P should you desire the most?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 12, 07:28 a.m.)

Philippians 3:18-19: "Why shed T.E.A.R.S for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 20, 12, 08:37 a.m.)

Philippians 3:15-17: "Who or what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N your life after?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 19, 12, 07:30 a.m.)

Philippians 3:12-14: "How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 18, 12, 11:43 a.m.)

Philippians 3:1-11: "Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N do you need the transaction of the cross?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 16, 12, 8:57 a.m.)

Philippians 2:25-30: "When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 15, 12, 6:43 a.m.)

Philippians 2:19-24: "How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other people's lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 12, 8:18 a.m.)

Philippians 2:17-18: "How do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 12, 6:58 a.m.)

Philippians 2:14-16: "How is your B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R. in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 12, 12, 8:15 a.m.)

Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 12, 8:36 a.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13:"What path have you taken for S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 09, 7:50 a.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13: "What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:51 a.m.)

Philippians 2:9-11:"How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:47 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "Why should you make a C.R.O.S.S transaction in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 06, 7:26 a.m.)

Philiippians 2:5-7: "How do match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 9:09 a.m.)

Philippians 2:3-4: "How do you respond to C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 6:19 a.m.)

Philippians 2:1-2: "What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 02, 6:52 a.m.)

Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (June, 01, 6:52 a.m.)

Philippians 1:27-28:"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 12, 7:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:22-26: What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 12, 6:27 a.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29, 12, 4:59 a.m.)

Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 25, 12, 8:08 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19:"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 24, 12, 8:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:13-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 21, 12, 9:04 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12: "How can you feel so S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response in life based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:8: "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 17, 12, 6:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E. alone?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 16, 12, 9:55 a.m.)

Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 15, 12, 10:54 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 14, 12, 08:38 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 11, 12, 09:53 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 09, 12, 7:30 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 10, 12, 9:01 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 08, 12, 8:05 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 07, 12, 7:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

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