Mercy

October 8th – John 1:16

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John 1:16

God’s Promise – “I have blessed you in Christ with one outpouring of grace after another.”

One of greatest ways in which God’s love is exampled, is in the grace He offers. Grace can be described as being given what we don’t deserve. (As opposed to mercy which is not receiving what we do deserve.) And because our Heavenly Father is, “the God of all grace,” (1 Peter 5:10)  the outpouring of grace Gods gives, is a constant, overflowing gift. He take us, who are forever and painfully undeserving, and bestows upon us His gift of love and Salvation. A gift He freely gives through no work of our own. Instead God counts the work of His only Son on the Cross as our payment in full. Once were like tarnished pieces of silver, eternally separated from God. But when we receive Jesus as our Savior, God polishes away the grime and pollution of sin until we become shining reflections of His light. And because of His unmerited grace, we now stand before God as finished, perfect, and wrapped in clothes of righteousness.

October 8th – John 1:16 Read More »

September 18th – Esther 4:14

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Esther 4:14

Esther was a young queen in over her head. Told by her cousin Mordecai about the prime minister’s plot to kill the Jews, the fate of her people laid heavy on her small shoulders. Yet Esther knew where to go; straight to God. For three days and nights Esther sheltered in His presence through prayer and fasting. And as she grew closer to the Lord, Esther received the wisdom and courage she needed to save her people. Life is hard. And trying to do it on our own is near impossible. But thankfully, as Christians we never have to face anything alone. Because God is there welcoming us to come to Him. To spend time in His presence, bathing in His strength, mercy, and guidance. A place of refreshment, the arms of the Lord is where we experience His perfect peace. Where we find the answers we seek, the wisdom of God’s counsel, and the warmth of His unconditional love.

September 18th – Esther 4:14 Read More »

August 23rd – Lamentations 3:22-23

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Lamentations 3:22-23

One of things I love most about God is His mercy. Because everyday I make mistakes, fall short, and need the Lord’s forgiveness. Yet no matter how badly I mess up, when I confess and repent, God is faithful to forgive my sins. We serve the Lord of second, third, and fourth chances. And regardless of the mistakes we made the day before, each morning God gives, is the gift of a fresh start. Because of His faithfulness, love, and kindness, each dawn is a blank slate and a new opportunity to get it right. And although some days will be good while others bad, every day we get to spend on earth is a blessing. So each morning thank God because His compassions fail not. And from a heart bursting with gratitude proclaim, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

August 23rd – Lamentations 3:22-23 Read More »

August 20th – Micah 6:8

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Micah 6:8

Many Christians get caught up in the idea that God needs our religious rites, eloquent prayers, or false piety. In truth what God seeks is our goodness, mercy, and humility. The Lord takes injustice pretty seriously. So when He commands us to act justly it means we are to exhibit high moral characters that not only speak, but take action against the wrongs of the world. To love mercy contains the Hebrew word hesed, which means loving-kindness. God expects us to be vessels in which His mercy, love, and kindness flow through to a hurting world. And walking humbly, is all about having a heart of gratitude and thankfulness for all God does, is, and blesses us with each day. Because apart from His love and mercy, we are nothing and have nothing. And I don’t know about you, but knowing our God who doesn’t need anything, yet gives us everything, is pretty humbling indeed.

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August 6th – 2 Chronicles 10:14

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2 Chronicles 10:14 

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam traveled to Shechem to meet with Israel and be crowned king. The people took the change of power as an opportunity to plead for kindness and mercy from their new ruler. In return for lower work loads and taxes, they would give to Rehoboam their loyalty and servitude. But the king, after listening to bad advice, sent back an answer not of grace and mercy, but of threats and violence. And the result? The people killed the new taskmaster. A rebellion arose, the kingdom of Israel was split in two, and Rehoboam fled for his life. Our decisions and actions can have long lasting and tragic consequences. Had Rehoboam chosen kindness, not only would he have glorified God, but brought peace throughout the land.

August 6th – 2 Chronicles 10:14 Read More »

August 1st – Ruth 2:21

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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!

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June 11th – Nehemiah 8:10

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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!

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April 29th – Psalm 136

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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!

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April 28th – 1 Corinthians 15:10

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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.

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February 8th – Psalm 69:13-15

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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 »