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Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.    Matthew 5:5 (NASB)

OUR GOD IS POWERFULLY GENTLE!

Look, the Lord GOD is coming with power to rule all the people.
He takes care of his people like a shepherd. He gathers them like lambs in his arms and carries them close to him. He gently leads the mothers of the lambs.  Isaiah 40:10a, 11 (NCV)

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

Three Ways To Live Your Life:

Out ofControl In Control Under Control

God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NJB)

Your gentleness has made me great.   2 Samuel 22:36b (TLB)

Gentleness Changes Your Relationships By Giving You the
Power To:

1. SPEAK GENTLYTO THOSE WHO CONFRONT YOU

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels.  Proverbs 15:1 (TLB)

A gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.  Proverbs 25:15b (NCV)

Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say. Psalm 141:3 (NCV)

Action Plan:  When you get home, write down each moment that day you were in a dialogue that caused you to respond harshly. Now, write down how you could have responded using gentle words, humbling yourself.  Go back to the person and start over with the conversation.

2.  BLESSTHOSE WHO INSULT YOU

If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also. Matthew 5:39 (NCV)

Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
Pray for those who insult you.  Luke 6:28 (GW)

3.  FORGIVETHOSE WHO OFFEND YOU

You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

They called Him every name in the book, and He said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. 1 Peter 2:23 (Msg)

4.  ENCOURAGETHOSE WHO NEED YOU

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.    1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

JESUS: 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. Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:5 (TEV)

Action Plan: Take a moment and say a prayer of blessing and one of forgiveness for those people who 'pushed your buttons'.  Before you see those people again, think ahead how you can encourage them.  Share your experiences with your small group.

Weekly Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com.
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We meet in small groups to discuss what we have heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 83000, visit our website at www.saddleback.com/joingroup, or email smallgroup@saddleback.com.
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Pray for our church and our next Lead Pastor. Commit to praying every Friday for ten to fifteen minutes. Choose a time by sending PRAY24 (1 word) to 83000 or by emailing pray24@saddleback.com.
Listen to our "Doable Discipleship" and "The Well" podcasts from our Saddleback Growth team at Saddleback.com/learn.