THERE IS AN ALLIGATOR IN THE BACK YARD.
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
KINDNESS: I CARE, FRIENDLY, GENEROUS, CONSIDERATE, understanding, to choose to do something to help, warm feelings. ARE WE WAITING FOR AN ANGEL TO BE KIND? Why are some people kind and some people are mean?
HOW TERRIBLE ARE THE WORDS: “I DON’T CARE?” APATHY? TRAPS OF WEARINESS? BEWARE? ARE WE GROWING DANGEROUS TRAPS? HOW CAN WE TEACH KINDNESS? WHAT COULD ONE ACT OF KINDNESS DO?
I read where Oprah Winfrey was traveling on a toll road. Someone paid the tolls for the next 5 cars. Oprah was so touched by this. She turned around and drove back and paid the next 100 cars’ toll? TOUCHED?
Galatians 6:9 (MSG) So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. 10 Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
A friend of mine went to Florida on vacation. They liked to hike and see the beautiful scenes in the swamps where they were staying. They found this huge 12 feet long alligator dead, laying in the hot sun. He jumped up and down and screamed. The dead alligator never moved. He threw rocks at it and the dead alligator never moved. He decided for his wife to take a picture of him standing by the dead alligator. He grabbed a stick and climbed down to where the dead alligator was. He stood next to the alligator with his stick. He rested the stick in the middle of the alligator’s back. He said: “CHEESE.” About that time the dead alligator tried its best to jerk the man into the water. If the man had not had the big stick the story would have ended in a much different way.
Seems we have a tendency to love to play with different things that can bring grave danger to us or our families. We make a big deal to get our little kids ready to go to the mall and make pictures with SANTA CLAUS. Seems we forget our children have souls and are headed to eternity with one of two choices. We have a divine responsibility to sow the seeds that will bear the spiritual fruit of heaven.
ARE WE ENTERTAINING ALLIGATORS? WHAT FRUIT IS IN YOUR ORCHARD? DO WE HAVE A WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE AND DEVELOP BY BEING FAITHFUL?
God has a plan to bring good gifts to us personally. Just as the gardener plants seeds and with patience the seeds will grow fruit.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:22 (NLT2) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
WANT TO EXPERIENCE SOME MAGIC? TRY KINDNESS. I READ IN FAST FOOD CHAINS THE AVERAGE ANNUAL TURNOVER RATE IS 170%. Wow, wonder why?
1 Corinthians 13:4 (MSG) Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, 5 Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, 6 Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 7 Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
LIFE IS GOD’S GIFT TO MAN! WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR LIFE COULD BE A GIFT BACK TO GOD. LIFE? LIFE IS A DIVINE GIFT.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10 (MSG) Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
The life that God gives us is NEUTRAL. When life is given it is neither good nor bad. What life becomes is up to the individuals: LIFE CAN BE GOOD? LIFE CAN BE BAD…
AS THE MAN WAS WALKING TO DEATH ROW, HE TURNED AND SAID: I AM WHAT I AM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I CHOOSE TO BE.
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31 (MSG) Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. 32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31 (NLT2) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
I AM SO SORRY, YOU ARE SO WRONG. Sometimes I worry that everyone is wrong but you and me? To be honest, sometimes, I worry about you. BEWARE OF THE ALLIGATOR.
Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:27 (MSG) "To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. 28 When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.
DO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SELF-REFLECT? Do we refuse to see the things we do wrong? Then are we quick to jump on the band wagon to complain about the problems and faults others have? Do we excuse our behavior and blame others for the problems we face? We tend to REACT to the situations instead of being pro-active. Can we accept we have a responsibility for our words, deeds and our attitudes? HAVE WE JUMPED TO THE CONCLUSION THAT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS A PROBLEM? Poor little old me is A VICTIM OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
WHAT IS THE ALLIGATOR WE ARE RAISING? ANXIETY, WORRY, FEAR: CARRIES THE LOAD OF TOMORROW ON OUR BACKS. THIS HEAVY WEIGHT CAN BE CRUSHING.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6 (MSG) Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
Anxiety and stress of tomorrow can ruin the potential joy and praise of today. The joy of the Lord is our strength and the focus of negativity is like a big alligator in our backyard.
THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED YOUR KINDNESS TO PRAY FOR THEM AND LIFT THEM TO THE THRONE ROOM OF GOD.
Someone is sick and in terrible pain. Death has visited the family and there is an empty hole in their heart. Do you know this might be the last week or holiday together? LOVE NEVER FAILS. BE KIND. LEND A HELPING HAND. One day you will kiss your last kiss, hug your last hug. One day your voice will be a fading memory. One day will be your last… you will tie your shoes and the funeral director will untie them. WHEN? WHEN WILL BE THE LAST DAY? MINUTE?
SACRIFICES WILL NEVER SEEM LIKE A SACRIFICE WHERE THERE IS LOVE. KINDNESS HAS BENEFITS. KINDNESS HAS SEVERAL COUSINS: COMPASSION, GRACE, LOVE, FORGIVENESS, JOY, AND PEACE. IF I ERR, MAY I ERR TO THE SIDE OF MERCY, GRACE AND KINDNESS.
WHERE THERE IS NO WOOD THE FIRE GOES OUT. CONFLICT CAN NOT CONTINUE WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION AND PARTICIPATION.
Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
CONCLUSION: Many are kind to strangers but are mean to their family. There is great danger that we are not kind to ourself. It might be hard to teach kindness… THE GREATEST LESSON TO KILL THE ALLIGATOR IS TO BE TOUCHED BY KINDNESS. I hate to hear the words: “I DON’T CARE!”
SAY THANK YOU OFTEN. LORD BLESS THE FOOD BEFORE US. THE FAMILY BESIDE US. AND THE LOVE BETWEEN US.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT2) So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG) So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.
Let me be a little kinder. Let me be a little blinder to the faults of those around me. Let me praise a little more. Let me be when I am weary just a little more cheery. Think a little more of others and a little less of me.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
