Mercy

August 1st – Ruth 2:21

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Ruth 2:21

Pastor John Bunyan said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” As an attribute of God, kindness is an important theme throughout the Bible. And perfectly exampled by Boaz, a wealthy man from Bethlehem. God had been good to Boaz, blessing him with much. So when he saw the less fortunate Ruth, he allowed her to glean in his fields. And not stopping there, he ordered his men to leave extra for her to glean, gave her food, and offered her protection. Boaz did all of this out of obedience and thankfulness for the kindness God show him. A kindness He shows daily to us as well. One we could never deserve, yet freely given by God just the same. So today won’t you join in me being a Boaz? And reach out to someone in kindness for kindness, and God’s sake!

August 1st – Ruth 2:21 Read More »

June 11th – Nehemiah 8:10

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Nehemiah 8:10

After a 70 year exile in Babylon, the Israelites triumphantly returned to their beloved Jerusalem. The people stood behind the newly rebuilt walls and listened as the priest Ezra read aloud from the Book of the Law of Moses. And as they realized how horribly they had rejected and sinned against God, the people began to weep. Have you ever wept because of sin? Had times where you have rejected the Word of God? I have. And my heart has been broken knowing the hurt I have caused my Lord. But we serve a God of unending mercy and love. And like Nehemiah told the downhearted Israelites, instead of weeping over past sin we should rejoice! Because when we truly repent and return to God, He welcomes us back joyfully, and with open arms. And to experience such unmerited grace not only heals our hearts, but renews our strength!

June 11th – Nehemiah 8:10 Read More »

April 29th – Psalm 136

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 136

What I love most about this Psalm is that twenty six times in twenty six verses, we are told God’s lovingkindness is everlasting. Lovingkindness is showing someone mercy, goodness, and love. Everlasting is something which endures forever, with no beginning and no end. Can there be a more perfect way of describing God and His feelings for us? He is faithful and good. And even though we fail Him daily, the Lord will never fail us. Just as He cared, provided for, and protected Israel until they reached the promised land, so God will do for us. So give thanks to the God in heaven, Lord of lords, King of kings, and Creator of all! Exalt Him, the Miracle Maker, for His indescribable and unmerited love. Because to God alone goes the glory! And only He is worthy of all praise!

April 29th – Psalm 136 Read More »

April 28th – 1 Corinthians 15:10

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 Corinthians 15:10

If there’s anyone who understood grace, it’s Paul. The apostle was once one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Yet instead of being punished, Paul was given God’s most precious mission. To share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. Not because Paul earned it, nor proven himself worthy. For no one can ever be good enough to earn a perfect God’s perfect favor. But all because of the unmerited mercy of our Lord. The definition of grace is getting what we don’t deserve and not getting what we do. The sin we commit comes with the penalty of death. But because of His amazing love, God sent His Son to take the punishment we deserve, giving us the undeserved gift of forgiveness, and eternal life. It was God’s grace that empowered Paul’s transformation. And if we let Him, God will transform us as well.

April 28th – 1 Corinthians 15:10 Read More »

February 8th – Psalm 69:13-15

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /
Psalm 69:13-15

The phrase, ” in an acceptable time” grabbed my attention today. David is very aware of what’s going on. He senses the rising tide around him. The floodwaters of trouble are beginning to engulf him and he feels like he’s being swallowed up. Can you think of a time in your life where you felt like David? I can. But David offers us a lifeline. For in the midst of his troubles, David stops to renew his commitment to the Lord once more, and so should we.

I remember as a new Christian this desire to run out ahead of God, (not that I still don’t do that today at times.) Just as soon as I got what I thought was a perfect idea, I took off and ran with it! And God would let me go as though He was waiting for me to spend all my energy, grow weary, and fall on my face. For only then I’d look up! Only then was I ready to sit quietly and listen to God’s plan. I honestly can’t count the times God picked me up, brushed me off and set me on my feet once more so that then we could do it together. I sense this is what is happening here with David.

“In your great love and mercy, O God, answer me”

David appeals to the rich mercy of God. Where would we be without His mercy and love? And how blessed are we that we can appeal to these incredible attributes at any time, knowing He will hear and show us His mercy? O beloved, I pray we never take that for granted. For with misery, no attribute is more sweet than mercy. And when coming under attack, the multitude of mercy is a treasure.

“With Your sure salvation”

Beloved, here’s the key! Our salvation that was paid for by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and given to us freely as a gift is not factitious, nor a changeable thing- here today and gone tomorrow, but SURE, dependable, steady; the rock in which to stand firm on!

As I meditated on these verses I began to see that God is using these to teach us. He’s teaching us the art of wrestling in prayer. Of taking hold of what we are sure of , and setting it before our Father when we and our flesh and abilities are exhausted. I’d love to know your thoughts.

Blessings, Sue

February 8th – Psalm 69:13-15 Read More »

God Has Mercy on Whom He Chooses – Romans 9:14-29

Leave a Comment / Bible Study /

Romans 9:14-29

In the previous section of Romans, Paul wrote of God’s sovereign power to save His people and of the inability of any other power to separate us from His love. But now, Paul is primarily dealing with the issue of election, or God’s choice. The apostle wants to show us that membership in the family of God has always been by God’s choosing based on His own will and purposes, not on man’s ancestry or anything he does. …

God Has Mercy on Whom He Chooses – Romans 9:14-29Read More »

God Has Mercy on Whom He Chooses – Romans 9:14-29 Read More »

October 7th – Ephesians 5:1

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Ephesians 5:1

When my son was little he used to love to imitate everything my husband did. From stomping around in his work boots, to pretending he was drinking coffee before going to work. He was always trying to be just like his daddy. And as Christians, we too should be imitators of our Father in heaven. Living lives that reflect the grace, kindness, mercy, and love of Jesus. For the Lord is our perfect example in all things. And with hearts and attitudes of thankfulness, each day we should be striving to grow more into the beautiful likeness of our Savior. That means casting aside our fleshly living with it’s lustful desires, and “me first” attitude. And instead imitating the life of Jesus by walking in truth, obedience, humility, and love. So whoever sees us knows by our actions, to whom we belong. That we are the children of the most high God, and a fragrant aroma to the world!

October 7th – Ephesians 5:1 Read More »

September 10th – Hosea 10:12

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Hosea 10:12

Much of the hardship Israel endured, was a result of her disobedience to God. The people did as they pleased and forsook the ways of the Lord. And the United States is quickly following suit. Our country has also turned away from God. Its heart has grown hard and has been overtaken by the weeds of sin. And like Israel, we need to heed the warning of Hosea who tells us now is time to come back to God. The time to break up the fallow, unusable ground in the gardens of our hearts. To till under the tares of disobedience, bringing forth the rich, fertile soil of faith underneath. We are to sow seeds of righteousness, reaping mercy and love. For time is running out. The Day of the Lord will soon be upon us. And now is time to seek Him until He comes to rain His righteousness upon us.

September 10th – Hosea 10:12 Read More »

February 25th – Proverbs 3:3-4

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Proverbs 3:3-4

When it comes to having a godly character, kindness and truth are two very important qualities. For both are extensions of love. And God calls us to love others the same way He loves us. For we cannot be good representatives of Christ on earth if we don’t mirror His ways. Impossible on our own, but through the work and help of the Holy Spirit, we can tattoo God’s commandments on our hearts. And hearts truly belonging to God will treat those around us with the same gentleness, love, and truth Jesus treats us with every day.

February 25th – Proverbs 3:3-4 Read More »

January 16th – Lamentations 3:40

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Lamentations 3:40

The start of the new year is the perfect time to take stock in our relationship with God. Is it where it should be, a close, loving, personal relationship with the Lord? Or has it been on the back burner stunted by wrong things in our lives? Israel turned away from God, with devastating consequences. Yet when they sought to return to Him, God welcomed them back with open arms. And He longs to do the same with us. There is no more important relationship we have than the one we have with God. And when we turn to Him in love and repentance, He is faithful to to restore us back to Himself.

January 16th – Lamentations 3:40 Read More »