Mercy

February 16th – Proverbs 11:17

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Proverbs 11:17

There’s no way around it. It hurts when someone mistreats us. Yet while the world tells us to hurt them back, God tells us, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44) Not an easy task on our own. But when our strength comes from God, there’s no limit to what we can do. For He is our Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer. And His grace will prevent us from saying or doing things that we will later regret. Such as wronging others, ruining relationships, and harming our own hearts. We serve a loving God who gives all who love Him unmerited mercy and forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. And He wants us to do the same. Not only for the benefit for others, but also for ourselves. Because revenge and retribution makes our hearts grow hard and bitter. And keeps us from experiencing God’s very best for our lives.

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February 13th – Proverbs 31:8-9

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Proverbs 31:8-9

Throughout the Bible we read how seriously the Lord takes the plight of the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned. And He let’s us know exactly what He expects our treatment of them to be. “Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (Is. 1:17) We are God’s mirror images here on earth, and as His representatives our lives and behavior should reflect His just and holy character. To follow the Lord means to practice justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him. To be living testimonies of the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Gal. 5:22-23) One day soon Jesus will return. But until that time, it is up to us to demonstrate to the world what it means to act justly and to love mercy. To stand up against oppression and abuse of those who cannot stand up for themselves.

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February 12th – Deuteronomy 7:9

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Deuteronomy 7:9

Why does Moses call God “the faithful God”? To be faithful is to to be steadfast, enduring, dependable, loyal, and trustworthy. Attributes God demonstrates perfectly. Despite their rebellion and unbelief, God stayed faithful to Israel. Remembering His promises to their forefathers, the Lord kept His covenant with His people, and remained steadfast in His love for them. Everywhere I look I see the faithfulness of God. I see it in the needs He so generously meets. In the family and friends He blesses my life with. In the mercy and grace He patiently shows each day, and most of all in His never ending love. Such abundant devotion that He gives not because I love Him, but because He loves me. A faithfulness that turns my brokenness into healing, condemnation into redemption, bitterness into love, bondage into freedom, sin into righteousness, and my death into eternal life.

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January 28th -John 5:6

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John 5:6

No matter who we are, each of us at different times in our lives need the healing that only God can provide. The man at the pool of Bethesda was just one of many hoping for a miracle. And he received it through the compassion of Jesus. Christ offered this man grace and mercy, and He offers it to us as well. Our Lord wants no one to suffer in sickness and so He shed His precious blood to become our perfect path to healing. “He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.” (Matt. 8:17) Whether the healing we need is  physical, emotional, spiritual, or all three, Jesus not only provides deliverance from our troubles, but also peace, hope, and joy. So if you find yourself at the edge of the pool lying on your mat wondering when your healing will come, be proactive. Pray, trust, believe, and be ready to put in the work for change when Jesus asks, “Do you wish to be well?”

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January 7th – Psalm 41:12

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Psalm 41:12

There is a quote that warns, “not everyone you fight is your enemy. And not everyone who helps you is your friend.” Throughout our lives we will experience hurt, betrayal, and disappointment at the hands of others. And in those moments we have a choice to make. Will that pain make us better or bitter? Better is using the hurt to grow closer to the Lord, and softening our hearts to the pain and needs of others. But bitter takes glee in retribution and seeing others misfortune. And it turns a blind eye to the suffering of another because its focus is only on self pity. We all fall short and sin daily against God. Yet from His wonderful love, He extends to us His unmerited grace and mercy. And He calls us to show that same grace and mercy. To repay evil with kindness, curses with blessings, and mistreatment with prayer. (Luke 6:27-28) And most importantly of all, if we see a need to meet that need. The way God meets all of ours.

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December 22nd – Zechariah 9:9

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Zechariah 9:9

When the Israelites thought about their coming Messiah, they envisioned a mighty, conquering, king riding in on a royal steed. Yet He came not wrapped in a royal robe, but dressed in the clothes of the poor and humble and mounted on a donkey. Why? Because Jesus came to conquer not through violence. But instead through love, grace, mercy, and His own sacrifice for His people. All to to fulfill the will of the Father, and the prophecy of Zechariah. So imagine the excitement and joy filling the crowd as they watched their promised Messiah entering the City of David as the as King of the Jews and heir to the throne. No wonder they couldn’t help but cry out in jubilation, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9)

 

 

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December 17th – Romans 5:8

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Romans 5:8

The word “wretch” can be traced back to the Old English word “wrecca”, meaning one who is despicable, or contemptible. An outcast or an exile. A perfect description for each of us when it comes to our standing before a holy and perfect God. But because of His grace and mercy, through the blood of Christ, our Father in heaven takes us once wretched, and makes us His beloved. What does this mean? This means that even though I am a sinner and fail daily, God wants me. All of me; the good, the bad, and the ugly. And not because of my great love for Him, but because of His great love for me. Richard Sibbes is quoted as saying, “there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” As I continue to have good and bad days, successes and failures, I will be forever grateful for God’s grace and mercy that no matter what will remain the same. And most of all, I will rejoice in God’s amazing grace that saved a wretch like me!

December 17th – Romans 5:8 Read More »

December 13th – Psalm 51:1

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Psalm 51:1

David committed horrendous sins against God. Sins others might find unforgivable. The conviction was heavy on the mighty king of Israel. And the pain he felt knowing the hurt his sin caused God, brought him to his knees. It was there on his knees where David confessed his wrongdoings and begged God for forgiveness. And you know what? Because of His never ending forgiveness, love, and mercy, and David’s repentance, God did just that. And He promises to do the same for us. No matter how big or small the sin, when we come before Him with a “broken spirit and a contrite heart”, confessing all our transgressions, we too will receive God’s forgiveness. Our God is an awesome God! When we return to Him in true confession and repentance, He is faithful to wash away the filth in our hearts and cleanse us with His loving grace. Better still, God will renew in us an unmovable and unshakable spirit dedicated to Him alone!

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November 20th – Romans 4:8

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Romans 4:8 

I’m thankful the Lord never holds my sin against me

Oswald Chambers once said, “Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ.” There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t sin against God everyday. And not a person alive who doesn’t need forgiveness everyday. Lucky for us, we serve a God whose grace and mercy are boundless. One who promises that if we confess and repent of our transgressions, not only does He forgive them, He forgets them! For as Ps. 103:12 tells us, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” What does that mean? Did you know if you travel north, eventually you’ll end up going south. But if you travel east, never will you meet west. That’s how awesome our God is. Even though we deserve nothing, He gave us everything. Through His precious Son, Jesus Christ, God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven, and for us to be declared righteous!

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October 30th – Hebrews 12:28

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Hebrews 12:28

God’s Promise – “I am giving you a kingdom that can never be shaken.”

The most important part of any building is the foundation. A strong foundation not only protects the outside from nature and its calamities, it also provides safety for the people dwelling inside. As Christians, the best foundation we can have is one built around God. For He gives us unshakable strength and security no matter the severity of the storm raging around us. In the last days, the foundation of the earth will be shaken like never before. Nothing made by the hands of man will be able to stand against the power of God. And sadly, many will lose their lives. That’s why if you haven’t received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, now is the time. For the days grow short until the Lord’s return. Yet believers never have to fear. Because no matter how hard the ground shakes, no crack or break will ever be found in the foundation of the Lord’s love, grace, and faithfulness!

October 30th – Hebrews 12:28 Read More »