Mercy, Reverence and Service

In Christ God has heard our cry for mercy. In fact, he saw our need for mercy before we even came into existence. In Christ God has forgiven us of all our sins. Past, present and future. He nailed that record to the cross (Colossians 2:14) and triumphed over death and sin. 

Forgiveness does not give us license to sin, rather it opens our hearts to reverence. We stand in awe at the foot of the cross, knowing that the nails in his hands in feet, and all that he endured restores us to the Father and sets us in his kingdom as light in the darkness of this world. 

In that reverence we serve him where we are today. From home to work, school to sports, whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord, serving wholeheartedly. 

Have Mercy

Lord, you hear our cries for mercy and you know why each one of us needs it. Reveal your mercy to us today. Open our eyes to see your mercy in our lives. 

Have Mercy

Mercy In Judgment

When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

Genesis 19:16-17 NIV

What can you say about Lot and his wife? They definitely are not an example of what we are supposed to be like. Even though Peter describes him as "a righteous man" (II Peter 2:2), I don't think we are to follow his example of moving close to, then into sin. We should learn what not to do and what to do when confronted with God's mercy. We should not hang around sin and we should flee from sin when the Spirit begins to convict us. 

The parallel to our lives is simple. Lot saw Sodom and thought it looked good. First, he pitched his tents near Sodom (Genesis 13:12). Then, he moved in to Sodom and got caught up in their battles (Genesis 14:12). Finally, he's sitting in the gateway of the city (Genesis 19:2) hanging out with the leaders. When God came down to judge the city for the evil, Lot didn't want to leave. The sinful lifestyle had become part of Lot and his family. Despite that, God mercifully grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and daughters and saved them. Except Lot's wife who looked back. 

The parallel for you and I can be many different areas of sin. Specifically, I want us to think about an area where the Spirit has done something in your life that should alert you. Maybe there was a little warning on your phone, or computer screen. Perhaps it was a look from your spouse. Maybe you're just hanging our with friends and the topics and choices make you wonder if you should be there or do that. Well, that's the Spirit beginning to convict you. 

In the story of Lot I see three levels of mercy and what for us would be the Spirits' work within us. First, when sin is just a temptation, like Sodom, a choice. Lot knew better and so do we. Second, when we move right up into the sin. God may rescue us like he did Lot when Abram fought the kings that took him. Third, we become part of the sin. In each of those the Spirit is convicting us. Finally, there will come a moment when the Spirit grasps our hand and says, "Flee for your life!" Don't think. Just flee.

Are you at one of those moments? Has he rescued you and you went back? Is the Spirit offering you a way out? Take it. 

Snatch With Mercy

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1:22-23 NIV

It's amazing how important mercy is. Mercy is at the heart of our entire life as Christians. We receive mercy because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We are merciful because as recipients of grace, we know we all need it. 

I can't think of a single relationship that I have that does not require symbiotic mercy, except with God. He gives mercy in Christ and I receive it and my only response is thanks. I need mercy and every person I will encounter and know needs mercy. Jude specifically says to be merciful to those who doubt. I really relate to apologetics. I like to talk about things with people. What I have found is that people, even people who want to argue facts or split hairs need mercy. 

I think you snatch someone from the fire with mercy, not threats. Yesterday, my son and I were eating at a Subway and this lady stuck her head in the door and shouted something about sin, grace and God and that God loves everyone and, "God bless you." One little kid said, "What the heck was that?!" A server behind the counter told one of the patrons (whom she apparently at least knew as a frequent customer), "That was for you!" and laughed. He didn't think it was that funny so it probably hit a sore spot. I respect that she was trying to serve the Lord, I'm just not sure it had the affect she was looking for. But, is there someone in your life that needs mercy? Your offer of mercy could snatch them form the fire and save them. So, don't be afraid if the opportunity arises, offer mercy because we all need it.

Got Guilt?

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV

Here is the bottom line. My sins and your sins were dealt with on the cross by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The enemy tries to condemn us (guilt plus condemnation) and Christ ever lives to intercede for us. Hold on to the truth. In Christ we are holy. He is our righteousness, holiness and redemption (see I Corinthians 1:30). Think of it this way: The enemy uses guilt to remind us that we sinned and that we don't deserve to call on God. Christ takes that guilt, shows us his wounds, asks us to just believe those were for us, and reminds us to just keep trying to love others with that same grace. 

Completely and Always

but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:24-25 NIV

The fact that Jesus' priesthood is permanent leads to two wonderful truths. First, that he is able to save us completely and secondly, that he ever lives to intercede for us. 

The completeness of his saving work assures us that whatever the depths of sin his death on the cross covers us. The completeness of his salvation also deals with time because he lives forever as our High Priest. The past, the present, and the future are all cover by his grace. 

The comfort of knowing that he is always interceding on our behalf encourages us to press on and never give up. You see, there is no time where he steps away and comes back and is surprised to find us is the mess we are in.  Right now he is interceding for you. 

I Am The Worst

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV

Being a guy I, of course, enjoyed watching The Three Stooges growing up. There is a bit they did where they each offer to let the other ones go through the door first then they all go at the same time and bump into each other. 

In a way, our humility should be a bit like that, each of us almost bumping into each other realizing that we are the worst of sinners. God doesn't save us to show how good we were, he saves us to show how merciful he is. I feel that if God uses me in any way it is not because I am such an awesome disciple, he uses me to show that he can use anyone, even someone like me. 

The Word of the Day is Mercy: God Listens to My Cry for Mercy

Thank you, Lord, for your mercy. Thank you that we can call on you for mercy all day long. Praise you because you listen to our cry for mercy and in the day of trouble you will answer us!

Quick, Mercy Save Me!

 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;

   may your mercy come quickly to meet us,

   for we are in desperate need.

Psalms 79:8 NIV

Sometimes there is no time for pleasantries. All we can do is cry out for mercy. "Lord, have mercy on me, because I am in desperate need."

Put Your I Here

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:22-24 NIV

These are great verses, a great truth. The righteousness of Christ for me by faith. I find it good to put myself in these verses and I suggest you do to and then thank God for his abundant love, mercy and grace. These verses become a declaration of praise.

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to me when I believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile and me, for I have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and I am justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for my redemption! Praise be to you in me today!

What We Have to Give

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 

Acts 3:6-9 NIV

The crippled beggar was hoping for money. Peter, didn't have money, but, what he did have was far better. What Jesus gave Peter, and I believe Jesus gives us, is the authority to restore people in His Name! II Corinthians 5:18 tells us that, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Chris and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." When you see someone in need, you give them, in Jesus' Name, what you have. 

One time, I was walking down town when a homeless man came up to me and asked for some money. I didn't have any on me. I asked him if he new who Jesus Christ was and immediately his eyes cleared up and he told me that he used to walk with Jesus but he had chose to do some bad things and he ended up there on the streets. I happened to have a little copy of the New Testament and Psalm in my back pocket. It actually was a pretty nice leather bound one that I received when in college, so it had a sentimental value to me. I ended giving it to him and praying with him right there in the middle of downtown LA. 

The point is that just at the mention of Jesus' Name the mans complete countenance changed. I am not sure what happened to him, but I know he remembered how much God loved him and wanted to restore him. 

Helpful

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 6:63

Many moons ago I took up golf. I bought a book by the late great golfer Ben Hogan Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf. It's a great book and helped me a lot. I just had trouble hitting the driver, so, I took  a lesson from this guy at the local golf course. He was no help at all. He messed me up so badly that I couldn't even hit my short irons anymore. 

Shortly after that I moved and I went to another teacher who watched me for a moment and said, "Your thinking way to much. Just think about your wrists..." Then he showed me how to set up to hit my driver and longer irons. Really helpful. 

What does that have to do with John 6:63? Sometimes we hear all kinds of stuff about walking with God and to be frank, it's often more about the flesh than the Spirit. It's rules, legalism, emotionalism, anything but the Spirit. Now, by the Spirit I don't mean warm fuzzy feelings or hyped up emotional reactions. The Spirit is about faith in God, not ourselves. It's about going to Christ for life. It's not about us, it's about Christ. 

What Do You Have In Common With Barabbas?

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

Luke 23:23-25 NIV

What did Barabbas do to deserve to be set free? Nothing. He didn't deserve to be freed. He deserved to be crucified. 

What did you or I do to deserve salvation? That's right, nothing. 

I wonder what happened to Barabbas? What did he do with the freedom he was giving by Christ's death on the cross? How did he respond? Aren't those the same questions we must ask ourselves?

What are we doing with the freedom we are given by Christ's death on the cross? How are we responding to the grace we have been given in Christ? 

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for taking my place upon the cross and dying for my sins. Help me to live in your grace and may the love live through me. Praise be to you in us today!

Enemy Love

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:35-36 NIV

Thinking purely in human terms an enemy is someone to be defeated, destroyed and killed. That is a mutual stance. But, in the kingdom of God, that is not necessarily how it works. 

In Christ, God is merciful to us, even though we were ungrateful and wicked. We, even after accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior, often act more like enemies of God than faithful servants. Yet, he still loves us faithfully and mercifully. 

Now the application of this truth is that we need to be merciful to the ungrateful and wicked people in our lives. A few people come to mind that I know I will probably see today. Because I work with them. Who comes to mind for you?

Lord, give us the love to be merciful to our enemies just as you have been and are merciful to us. 

Prepare the Way: Be Real, Be Willing

And you, my child, will be called 
   a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord 
   to prepare the way for him,

to give his people the knowledge of salvation 

   through the forgiveness of their sins,

Luke 1:76-77 NIV

Every day we represent Christ to the dying world around us. This is no guilt trip. It's just the truth. We don't have to be perfect, we just have to be real and willing. 

If we are not real, as in honest about our own shortcomings and sinfulness, we will just be hypocrites. You see, as a Christian, our witness is not about how good we are, but, it's about how good God is. Our neighbors, co-workers and friends don't need us, they need Jesus. Our very humanness is our opportunity to let the grace of God in our lives witness to those around us. 

Be willing, when the moment appears, to share in whatever way you can. You don't have to have an alter call. You don't have to stand on a soap box. Just be willing to share anything that God has done in your life. The Holy Spirit can take the smallest thing (in our eyes) and use it to make a way into someones heart. Maybe all you did was mention that you went to church in a conversation. That's all the Spirit needs. Just be willing. 

Say it with me, "Have mercy on me, O God."

Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
   blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
   and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1-2

David knew he had sinned and the first thing he needed was mercy. Mercy is what you hope for when you know that what you deserve is not going to be good. David knew that he deserved to die. He committed adultery and murder. Not to mention lying and a slew of other things he did to manipulate the entire army to serve his own ends. 

David also knew that God, in his very nature is merciful. He called on God, he pleaded with God to be merciful. I don't think David expected God to make everything just go away. He just knew he needed mercy. We need mercy, too. Some things may not go entirely away, but, God is still merciful. Like David, who knew he deserved to die, we just cry out for mercy. 

In what area of your life do you need mercy? You would be hard pressed to do much worse than David, yet he cried out for mercy. God didn't kill him or allow him to be killed, so got some mercy. He still was used to be a link in the Messianic chain. That's mercy. 

So what these verses tell us is that David needed mercy and he asked for it. What it means is that we can ask for mercy and God will still use us to build the kingdom. What it does for us today is allows us to cry out for mercy, no matter what we've done. It gives us hope. Say it with me, "Have mercy on me, O God."

What Do You Want Blotted Out From Your Life?

Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to you unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
   blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
   and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1-2

David was definitely a sinner. This Psalm is not a Psalm of praise. It is not just a plea for forgiveness, it's a cry from David to God asking God to remove the guilt of the sin he had committed. He knew he sinned. He realized the devastation his actions had produced. He wanted God to blot out his transgressions,  wash away all his iniquity and cleanse him from his sins. 

Not to justify or minimize any sin, but to emphasize the mercy of God I want us to remember that we are all sinners. Haven't we all wished that God would blot out some things - sin - from our lives. 

The amazing thing is that even though David did reap some negative things, the Lord still completed his purposes. The Messianic line  still prevailed and Christ was still born, died for our sins and rose again. 

You may want God to blot something out of your life. The truth is, God will accomplish his will because he is Sovereign, merciful, his love is unfailing and he has great compassion toward you! 

Your Hands Are Dirty, So What?

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean', but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean'.”

Matthew 15:10-11 NIV

Jesus has an amazing way of taking things straight to the heart of the matter. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were concerned about seeking God outwardly. They were focused on the disciples eating without washing their hands because that was a tradition of the elders. A tradition of the elders is not a commandment, it's a rule created by the religious leaders to try and keep people from breaking the commandments. 

Jesus then explained it further by saying, "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'" ( Matthew 15:18-20) So, we should be concerned with more about our hearts than our hands. (Yes, I do wash my hands before eating. Except when camping, working construction or otherwise away from soap and water.) 

I can wash my hands all I want and that will not keep me from sinning. The only thing that I know of that will wash my heart is the forgiveness of my sins by the death of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

You Can Forgive

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.

James 2:12-13

I think this a difficult topic because we would like grace to be a complete pass with no strings attached to it. But, James is clearly saying that if you are not merciful, there is no mercy for you. 

Jesus had taught the disciples in Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." 

When you have unresolved issues of forgiveness in your heart they are attached to your inner being, whether you acknowledge them or not. Sometimes we like to just push things to the side and try not to notice them or deal with them, like a pile of bills on your desk that you refuse to open. Just because I refuse to deal with does not negate their presence or affect on you. 

Think about this; the model prayer that Christ taught his disciples has a postscript that flat out states that if we won't forgive someone who sins against us, we won't be forgiven. Because Christ first forgave us (See Colossians 3:13). I know that some people can be "impossible" to deal with, but, we are not being asked to spend Thanksgiving with someone who has sinned against us, we are being told to forgive them. Whatever God does after we forgive them is up to God.