mercy

Apr

2024

Grace Abounds All the More

“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”

Challenge of Sin

Sin profoundly impacts everyone. It represents rebellion against God’s will, the violation of His holy law, and the corruption of His good creation.

Sin severs our connection with God’s love, exposing us to His wrath and judgment. It also damages our relationships with others and ourselves, leading to misery and death. Ultimately, sin lies at the root of all evil and suffering in the world.

Our own efforts and merits cannot free us from sin. We cannot flawlessly adhere to God’s law, nor can we erase our past transgressions.

Our sinful nature remains unchanged, and the power of sin overwhelms us. In our helpless state, we deserve God’s condemnation and punishment.

Precious Gift of Grace

Yet, in His boundless love and mercy, God provides an escape from sin and its consequences. He bestows upon us the gift of grace—an undeserved favor and kindness.

Grace is not something we earn; it is freely and generously given by God. It serves as the wellspring of our salvation, sanctification, forgiveness, transformation, peace, and joy.

The pinnacle of God’s grace is found in Jesus Christ, His Son and our Savior. Jesus entered our world as a human, lived a sinless life, and willingly died on the cross for our sins.

His resurrection conquered sin and death, offering us eternal life and reconciliation with God. Through Jesus, we can receive the Holy Spirit and His life-transforming Word, guiding and empowering us.

His unconditional love intercedes for us.

Response of Faith

How can we access this abundant grace?
How do we experience it?

The answer lies in faith. Faith involves trusting God’s promises, surrendering to His will, and obeying His commands. It justifies and sanctifies us, declaring us righteous and holy through God’s grace.

Faith is not a self-generated work; it is a divine gift. We humbly receive it, recognizing that boasting has no place.

Faith is our lifeline to God and His grace—a channel through which His abundant blessings flow into our lives.

Fruit of Joy

What happens when we embrace God’s grace through faith? Joy blossoms. This deep and lasting delight transcends circumstances, rooted in God’s goodness.

Joy evidences the work of the Holy Spirit, the reward of faith, and the ultimate goal of salvation. It fuels our service and witness, comforts us during trials, and directs praise and glory to our God and Savior.

Joy isn’t a mere feeling we manufacture; it’s a reality we discover. We don’t chase after it; we possess it. Joy overflows from God’s grace within us, radiating outward to bless others.

Remember this kids song . . . it’s not just for kids!

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart!
Where?
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay

Chorus

And I’m so happy, so very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
Down in my heart.
And I’m so happy, so very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

~ Check Out ~
“One Minute with God”

Feb

2024

Unshackled Grace

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” – Acts 13:38 (NIV)

In the bustling marketplace of life, we carry burdens—hidden chains that weigh down our souls. Guilt, shame, regrets—they cling to us like shadows.

But here, in the heart of Acts, a clarion call resounds: forgiveness. Not a mere pardon, but a sweeping liberation—an unshackling of our deepest wounds.

Prisoner Set Free

“Through Jesus…”

Imagine the scene: a weary traveler, stumbling under the weight of guilt. His past, a prison cell; his sins, iron bars. Yet, the proclamation echoes through the ages: forgiveness.

Not earned, not deserved, but freely given. The shackles fall, and the prisoner stands—redeemed, restored. The cross, once an instrument of death, becomes the gateway to life.

The tomb, empty; the grave clothes, discarded. The risen Christ extends nail-scarred hands—inviting us into the dawn of grace.

Whisper of Mercy

“The forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

Grace whispers in the quiet corners of our hearts. It speaks of second chances, of redemption woven into our brokenness.

The tax collector, the adulteress, the doubter—all find solace at the foot of the cross. The slate wiped clean, the ledger erased. The Pharisee’s judgment silenced; the sinner’s tears embraced.

The Gospel, not a legal transaction, but a love story—a divine romance. Forgiveness, not a distant concept, but a living reality. The proclamation echoes still: You are forgiven.

Unshackled Life

“Through Jesus…”

As pilgrims on this grace-soaked journey, we walk unshackled. Our souls, once imprisoned, now dance in the light of forgiveness. We extend grace to others, for we know the cost—the crimson price paid on Calvary.

Our words, seasoned with mercy; our actions, dripping with compassion. We bear witness to the proclamation: forgiveness. It’s not a theological abstraction; it’s our heartbeat.

We live as liberated souls, marked by grace, pointing others to the One who sets captives free.

~ Check Out ~
“One Minute with God”

Oct

2023

What God Wants

Hosea 6:6 presents a profound message that reveals what God really desires us to give.

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

God’s Heartfelt Desire

In this verse, we glimpse into the very heart of God. He longs for something deeper than mere religious rituals and sacrifices.

God desires mercy—a compassionate and loving attitude toward others. He seeks an acknowledgment of His presence in our lives, and a genuine relationship rooted in love.

Beyond Rituals

The contrast between “mercy” and “sacrifice” speaks volumes. God is more interested in the authenticity of our faith than the external expressions of it.

Acknowledging God’s Presence

The second part of the verse highlights the importance of acknowledging God’s presence in our daily lives. This goes beyond religious acts; it involves a conscious awareness of God’s guidance, love, and grace in our everyday experiences.

Cultivating a Heart of Mercy

As you reflect on Hosea 6:6, let it challenge you to examine the condition of your heart.

Are you cultivating a heart of mercy and compassion?

Are you acknowledging God’s presence in your life beyond mere religious routines?

May this verse inspire you to deepen your relationship with God, living out your faith in ways that reflect His desire for mercy and an authentic connection with Him.

Mar

2022

Results of Christian Apathy

When a nation 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱; that nation gets exactly what they wanted. We now are witnessing the results of years of “𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆”.

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲. 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲; 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺.

A 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵; more interested in its own survival than with the advancement of a 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺; a church more interested in 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁; a church that 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗲; a church that has 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, but which lacks any power whatsoever; 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴; 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱, 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼!

I hear a ringing in my heart and is goes like this:

“𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲, 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆; 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀; 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻, 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗻; 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱!”

Is it too late to repent, and turn your; so-called “Christian” Heart to God?

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁!

Feb

2019

Grace, Mercy and Peace to You

“To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord”. 1 Timothy 1:2

While reading the letters that the apostle Paul wrote, I noticed that almost every letter he wrote began with those words; “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” In the letters written to Timothy, and to Titus, he includes grace, mercy and peace.

Like many of you, I have read these books written by Paul, dozens of times, and always seemed to overlook the opening greeting, as if it were not that important.

What jumps out at me, is the way Paul says these words. It is bold, and up front, like he was an emissary of God, coming to the people, as if he had just come from God himself. Kind of like an ambassador, proclaiming the heart of the kingdom represented.

I get this picture in my mind of a rider on a horse, riding feverishly through the night, with a message of hope for those in distress; perhaps soldiers, weary from battle, which may need some encouragement.

The rider dismounts, and comes to the people, and the first words out of his mouth are; Grace, Mercy, and Peace to you from your King! How very refreshing and encouraging to hear.

Paul gives us that kind of feeling when he begins his letters, regardless of the content of the letter, he set us as ease, with the reassurance that he has just come from God himself, and God has given a message to His people, “Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Paul chose these words, because he himself was the recipient of them. Paul was a persecutor of the church. He actually chased down Christians, and standing by as they were put to death.

He was actively destroying the very church that Jesus was trying to build. Paul was on a mission to destroy, what he thought was an abomination to God.

Paul knew that he deserved death for what he had done; no question about it; standing by, as saints like Stephen were being, stoned to death, cheering the crowd.

Paul knew that he was an enemy of God, but now, through God’s grace and mercy, he found peace; joy inexpressible! How could he contain it?

Paul was able to express this in almost every letter he wrote, because it was what he received, and it was so valuable to him. He wanted to express it every time he wrote.

Like Paul, you and I received Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God too, and like Paul, we have the authority to declare it to others as well.

So the next time you enter a room with your brothers and sisters in Christ be bold, and with confidence declare, Grace, Peace and Mercy to you from God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord!