Tag Archives: mercy

Unfailing Love

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“For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

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I have been going through a difficult season for many months now. My writing has suffered as a result. Instead of using this God given gift to express my heart before God, I allowed my pain to become an excuse to draw back. I allowed busyness to replace pressing in. It became easier to shift into survival mode than to put on the armor of God and fight.

Every Sunday, inspired by my pastor’s messages, I told myself, enough is enough. It’s time to pull myself out of this hole, one.step.at.a.time. Then, Monday rolled around and each week I slipped right back into existing versus living. Each step I tried to take felt like quicksand.

Every Monday until now! Today I am shifting into warrior mode!
God has called me to be an exhorter. I’m great at encouraging others … but not so good with my self-talk. That’s why I HAVE to turn to God’s Word for strength when I am weak. HE is my source of encouragement.

As I read Psalm 100:5 today, God reminded me …
▪️He is GOOD … even when my circumstances aren’t.
▪️His mercy is EVERLASTING … my problems are not.
▪️His truth ENDURES … His Word WILL prevail.
▪️His love is UNFAILING … and UNENDING.

God has given me a vision and purpose for my life. The wilderness experiences I go through can either break me or make me stronger. Ultimately the choice is mine. I want to choose strength over brokenness. I KNOW God will use every circumstance as an opportunity to grow me AND in turn allow me to encourage others in their journey.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for the breath of life found in Your Word. Thank You for Your unfailing love, everlasting mercy and enduring truth. Regardless of what my circumstances say, I can trust the truth of Your Word. You ARE good, even when life is hard. Help me to run to You, not from You when I am weak and weary. Remind me to cast my cares on You, rather than trying to bare them in my own strength. You are my hiding place in the storm, the rock of my salvation and my shield against the arrows of the enemy. My VICTORY is certain in You.
Amen

 

True Repentance

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“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

IMG_1556I love the example of true repentance David portrays in Psalms 51. David had been confronted by Nathan the prophet about his adultery with Bathsheba. I encourage you to go read the entire chapter now. (Click the reference above.)

Three Steps of True Repentance:

  1. Acknowledge the sin: When Nathan confronted David with his sin he didn’t try to make excuses for what he had done. He accepted responsibility and his prayer reflects sincere conviction. Initially he tried to hide his sin by committing yet another sin, the murder of Bathsheba’s husband. I imagine David was already feeling the weight of his guilt long before Nathan ever confronted him.  God used Nathan to help David see we cannot hide from our past. We have to confront it before we can leave it behind.  
  2. Accept the consequences: David’s sin cost him the life of his son. (See: 2 Samuel 12) God will always forgive our sin, but that doesn’t mean we will always escape the consequences of our actions. God’s punishments have purpose. They are not about vengeance. 
  3. Pray for God’s mercy, cleansing and restoration: Most of David’s prayer is spent asking for God’s mercy, cleansing and restoration. As dire as the loss of his son was, David knew he couldn’t live without his fellowship with God. He needed God to do what he was not capable of doing himself. When we do our part (repent), God does His part (restore). God loves us. He longs to forgive us and cleanse us. When my son was a child he hated taking a bath, but once I got him in the tub, he didn’t want to get out. When I think of our reluctance to go to God with a spirit of true repentance I imagine the same scenario . Just dive into the cleansing stream. You won’t want to leave. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me an example of what repentance looks like in David’s prayer. This Psalm has been a favorite of mine for many years because I can relate to David’s desire for inner healing. My heart longs for the purity only You can provide, Lord. I don’t want anything to interfere with my fellowship with You. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Convict me when needed and remind me to dive into Your cleansing stream. Bathe me in the joy of Your salvation. Keep me humble enough Lord to allow my transparency to impact others who need to know You are a God of love and mercy.

 

Justice or Mercy? The Choice is Yours

Posted in Spiritual Growth by

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

IMG_1513I have earned a death penalty for my sins. People often ask why a loving God would send anyone to Hell. I confess, I have struggled with this question. But the truth is, He has given us a choice … justice (getting what we deserve) or mercy (having our wages paid in full by Jesus.) The choice is ours.

The problem is we do not see our sins as worthy of death. We make ourselves judges over God when we try to justify what level of sin actually deserves eternal death (separation from God). 

We cannot understand God’s repulsion of sin because we have lived in a fallen world all our lives. I imagine if we had one glimpse of Heaven and the purity of God’s presence we would fall to our knees and join the angels in their chorus of, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” God hates sin so much He had to turn His back on Jesus as He who knew no sin became sin for us. (See: Matthew 27:46 and II Corinthians 5:21)

As a society we SCREAM for justice; unless that justice impacts us, or someone we love, in a negative way. We rave defiantly against a God who would send someone to Hell, yet are infuriated when someone who commits a crime we deem worthy of death is given mercy by the court. What a double standard.

The “good news” is He offers us mercy IF we will accept His gift … the sacrificial payment of our debt, by Christ. Any good parent would gladly lay down their life for their child, and that is exactly what God did! But, you cannot benefit from a gift unless you receive it. 

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19  (NKJV)

PRAYER:
Father, thank You for Your mercy and the gift of eternal life. Because of Your love I do not have to face the judgement I deserve for the wages of my sin. Jesus, thank You for being willing to take MY place on the cross.

I pray today for those who do not know Your love, for those who have not experienced Your mercy. Lord, help them to see that You are a God of love, but also a God of justice. You have provided a path of redemption but we must accept it to receive it.

Help us to see sin as You see it. Remove the blinders from our eyes and show us truth. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen