The Strength of Gentleness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. — Matthew 5:5 (ESV)
Gentleness is not weakness but a sign of strength under control. Today, practice gentleness
in your interactions. Show the strength of God’s love through your meekness. Your calm and
gentle spirit can be a profound witness to others.
Heavenly Father, may my gentleness be a beacon of Your grace, drawing those around
me closer to Your love.
GENTLENESS IS STRENGTH UNDER CONTROL
Author unknown
The third “be attitude” in the Bible is found in Matthew 5:6. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the
earth.” Another translation says, “God blesses those who are GENTLE. The whole earth will belong to them”
[emphasis added]. Very important to give both of these translations because often we relate the word “meek”
with “weak,” but “meek” is actually a synonym for the word “gentle. “The only two people in the Bible who
were described as “gentle” were Jesus and Moses. Even though Moses was gentle, we all know that Moses
early on had an “anger management” problem. We see God do amazing work in Moses while in the desert
Jesus describes Himself as gentle in Matthew 11:29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I
will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” [emphasis added]. All throughout
Scripture we visibly see “LIVED out LOUD,” by Jesus, His gentleness.
Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GENTLENESS, and self-control” [emphasis added]. So what do we learn from
what we have read so far? “GENTLENESS IS AN INSIDE JOB!”
Look at the definition of gentleness…strength under control…bottled for God’s use. A simple illustration: a wild
horse and a tame horse both have the same STRENGTH. The wild one can’t be used effectively–no control. But
the TAME, gentle horse can be used VERY EFFECTIVELY by its trainer. The Holy Spirit trains us in gentleness.
We have to seek God. Listen to Him. Filter everything through Him….and DO WHAT GOD says, not our flesh.
Here are eight benefits from allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest the fruit of the Spirit of gentleness in your
life.
- Gentleness defuses conflict. Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up
anger.” So if your boss, or your child, or your parent, or your preacher, yells at you, look at Ecclesiastes 10:4,
“If your boss is angry with you don’t quit. A quiet GENTLE spirit can overcome even great mistakes” [emphasis
added].
Don’t own someone else’s anger…don’t do it! - Gentleness disarms critics! Do nothing, say nothing and be nothing and you will never be criticized. The
more you do…and be…the more criticism you will incur. So if you want to be and do and live Ephesians 2:10 by
being busy fulfilling God’s created purpose, then you must live 1 Corinthians 4:13, “We respond GENTLY when
evil things are said about us” [emphasis added].
I have also been told if someone hurts you, they are below you. If you get even, you are only even with them.
If you respond “GENTLY,” it puts you above them in being pleasing to God. - Gentleness is persuasive! Proverbs 25:15b, “…GENTLE speech breaks down rigid defenses.” Or another
translation says, “Patience and GENTLE talk can convince a ruler and overcome ANY problem” [emphasis
added on both]. I love this Scripture in Proverbs 16:21, “A wise, mature person is known for understanding.
The more pleasant his words, the more PERSUASIVE he is” [emphasis added]. Wow, just wow!!
One to tweet: “I am never persuasive when I am abrasive.” - Gentleness is attractive! Just read the love story of Boaz and Ruth in the Bible and the “gentleness of Boaz”.
Read 1 Timothy 6:11, “…As a man of God pursue what God approves of Godliness, faith, love, endurance and
GENTLENESS” [emphasis added]. And in 1 Peter 3:4 it encourages women to “have a GENTLE AND quiet spirit.” - Gentleness communicates love. Colossians 3:19, “Husbands love your wives, do not be harsh with them.”
The opposite of harsh is gentle. In Ephesians 6:4 it teaches to not exasperate your children. In other words, be
GENTLE. - Gentleness earns respect. Proverbs 11:6, “A woman of GENTLE grace will be respected” [emphasis added].
A good example, Mother Teresa. She was gentle. She could command the world, not with money nor
status…nor with appearance…but with GENTLENESS. - Gentleness is a witness to unbelievers. To lead others to Christ and fulfill the Great Commission is to “live
out loud” in front of others. If people LIKE what they SEE, then they are likely to LISTEN to what you say! Not
vice versa!!! Therefore it is very easy for me to be around others who do not believe what I believe biblically,
socially, politically or morally. It is my GREATEST OPPORTUNITY for CHRIST to overflow in and out of me…to
love, respect, while NOT COMPROMISING what I believe.
The best way I can lead others to Christ is by “loving people where they are while not compromising my
actions but allowing my actions to be the light of Christ!” GENTLENESS can only be achieved…as the Holy Spirit
flows in these situations.
- Gentleness makes me like Jesus. As noted above…Jesus said… ”I am gentle”.
Ask God this week to help you in three areas: - When someone serves me, be understanding, not demanding.
- When someone disagrees with me, be TENDER without SURRENDER.
- When someone disappoints you, be GENTLE, not judgmental.
Three great steps…of action…to live out loud and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to manifest Gentleness in your life!
Blessings to you and pray for to be more gentle…thus more like Jesus. We are all a work in progress.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pancake Supper
Tuesday, Feb. 17 th @ 6:00 PM
Free Will Offering gratefully accepted
A sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board
Everyone is welcome to join us for our famous Down East Pancakes, homemade by our in-house chefs.
Fellowship hour to follow with a Sing-Along led by Susan Chopp
This will be a wonderful opportunity to socialize with you friends as we prepare for the Lenten season.
World Day of Prayer
You are invited to attend the World Day of Prayer meeting at Fellowship Reformed Christian Church on Friday,
March 6, at 1:30 PM. The theme is, “I Will Give You Rest” and the host country for whom we will be praying is
Nigeria.
Laptops and Tablets Needed
After researching and consulting with the elders of the First Presbyterian Church of Antigua, which
Rachael and Pastor Eric visited last March, the mission committee has decided to purchase a laptop
and 6-8 months of Wi-Fi for the students of the church, where it will be kept and shared so students
can become familiar with this technology.
If you have a laptop or tablet that is in good condition that you’d like to donate, please contact
Rachael before mid-March.
The Presbytery of West Toronto team will be bringing the laptop to the church during March break.
Lenten Candle Liturgy Readers
Feb. 22 – Nancy G. & Norma H
Mar. 1 – Georgena E. & Rachael C.
Mar. 8 – Lynne & Al
Mar. 15 – Iris L. & Carol H.
Mar. 22 – Kathy & Bob
Mar. 29 – Harry & Pat
Thank you to the above volunteers. If you have a scheduling conflict. Please let Susan know as soon as
possible.
Textile Exhibition
If you need some artistic inspiration, you can visit the Neilsen Park Creative Centre’s textile exhibition at the Etobicoke City Centre at the corner of Burnhamthorpe and West Mall. The show is open from 9-4 in the old city hall. The show runs for most of February. Janice Telfer has an item that may give you a chuckle.
It is that time of year again when we are looking for volunteers to serve coffee and tea after worship. The sign
up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Adamson Lounge.
Feb. 8 – Vi & Rachael
Feb. 15 – Paul & Nancy
Feb. 22 – Harry & Pat
Mar. 15 – Carol & Iris
April – Outreach Team
Thank you to all of you who have given so willingly of your time and efforts. We appreciate you!!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tuesdays @ 11:00 AM – Walking Group – All are welcome
- Thursdays @ 2:00 PM – Worship service at Centennial Park Place
- Thursday, Feb. 5 @ 9:30 AM – Sing! Etobicoke @ NPCC
- Sunday, Feb. 15 @ 11:45 AM – Bell Ringers rehearsal
- Tuesday, Feb. 17 @ 6:00 PM – Pancake Supper
- Sunday, Mar. 1 @ 10:30 AM – Sacrament of Holy Communion
- Friday, Mar. 6 @ 1:30 PM – World Day of Prayer at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church
- Sunday, Mar. 8 @ 11:30 AM – Annual General Meeting
- Tuesday, Mar. 24 @ 12:00 noon – Lenten Lunch followed by a Lenten Prayer Hour
- Thursday, Apr. 2 @ 2:00 – 4::00 PM – Stations of the Cross in the sanctuary
- Friday, Apr. 3 @ 9:30 AM – Hot Cross Buns served before Good Friday service.