Servants of Mercy
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Matthew 5:7
As Christians, we talk a lot about grace. We’re saved by grace, and we couldn’t make it through a day without grace so it’s only natural that we think a lot about it. Brennen Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, a few years before his death said, “All is grace”; I love that thought. Grace is everything we receive from God. That means even the mercy of God is grace.
Mercy and grace are like flip sides of the same coin, though we often fail to see them that way. Not only is grace mercy, but mercy is grace. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve, and mercy is His not giving us what we do deserve, and that’s a whole lot of mercy when you consider what it is we deserve – death. St. Paul teaches us in Romans three that we’ve all sinned and that the wage of that sin is death. Isaiah 53 reminds us that we’ve all gone our own way. At our core we’re all selfish.
But, into our selfish, sinful lives Jesus comes in to save us with waves of mercy. He brings forgiveness and love that can’t be earned. But, He doesn’t stop there. He tells us to take His mercy to the world around us. In fact, he says it’s not an option for the believer to be merciful to others. Jesus said, if we want mercy, we better show mercy, because only the merciful “shall receive mercy”.
I don’t know about you but that really hits home to me. I don’t want to come to the end of my life and not see His mercy waiting there for me; I’m not good enough for that and I’ll bet you feel the same way. So, in view of our need for mercy, let’s all be servants of His mercy to the world around us. Let’s let those waves flow through us.
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Merciful Father, thank you for another day of life and the grace to live it well. Help me to be a servant of your mercy to all whom I meet. Amen.
Image credit: http://forthisverymoment.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-strength-of-mercy.html
The Date of Our Death
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
Romans 6:1-2
Obituaries have changed a lot through the years. If you read an obituary from several decades ago, it would probably tell a story of the deceased’s life. It would start with their young life and work chronologically through many of the highlights the person lived. After reading their life story, you felt like you knew something of the person.
Today, obits have changed a lot. Newspapers once printed an obituary for free, but now they can be fairly costly and charged by the word. Many people choose to offer only a short synopsis of the person’s life, including where he or she worked and if they went to church or were members of an organization; gone is the lengthy life story of accomplishments. But one thing will never be lost from an obituary – the date of death.
When we die it’s obvious; it’s a day of marked change in our state of being. We no longer live in our flesh. We can’t keep doing the things we used to do because we’re dead to our flesh. St. Paul is telling us in verse two it’s the same with our spiritual life. IF we died to sin, how then can we continue to live in it? It just can’t be, or perhaps we weren’t really dead? Perhaps we didn’t really understand the mercy of God to give us such a new chance at real life?
The grace of God is so merciful that some people may be tempted to continue living in sin in order to enjoy His grace all the more. But, Paul makes it clear such taking of God’s grace for granted is “By no means!” acceptable. While it’s true God’s grace flows in waves of everlasting mercy, if we’re really “dead to sin”, we won’t take His mercy for granted. In mercy, God causes those who truly die to be re-born into a life that doesn’t accept sin as a way of living. Yes, we are capable of committing sin, but Paul is speaking to our intentionally choosing a life of sin.
Everyone who is truly alive in Christ has an obituary in God’s newspaper and it must have the date of our death. But, the good news of the gospel is that the date of our death is also the date of our birth, our new birth into the life of Jesus Christ.
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for ever taking your grace and mercy for granted. Through Your mercy and grace help me to live out the death of my flesh as one who is truly dead to my sin, and alive in You. Amen.
Image credit: http://sovjoy.com/the-ruthless-progression-of-sin/
Invincible?
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God
Ephesians 2:8
Do you ever feel completely helpless? I hope so, it keeps us humble. A healthy developed self confidence wants to accomplish things on its own, and if the person is a man, he really doesn’t want to ask for help; it’s a guy thing. However, if we become too self confident we may start to feel invincible – a dangerous place to be.
People who think they’re invincible tend not to believe in God. They see faith in God as a sign of weakness. But, the real weakness in thinking they can do anything without the mercy of God. Life in and of itself is a gift from God, and it’s because of His daily waves of mercy that we accomplish anything at all. St. James tells us not to be deceived; it is God who gives us birth and that every good and perfect gift is from Him (James 1:16-18).
Our birth is a gift from God, and our re-birth into faith in Him is also a gift. We can’t come into this world but by the mercy of God, and we wont go out of it and into Heaven without that same mercy. In His great mercy God has given grace to all who will see it; the grace to believe in Jesus Christ.
Do you see His grace? Is your faith in the one who made you, or the deceptive thinking believing you can somehow be good enough to earn Heaven? Sure goodness counts, but only when we seek His goodness within us through faith. We can’t make our selves into His likeness, but by faith through grace, He can make us like Him. All it takes is a faith-filled surrender, and a remembrance that we’re not invincible.
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Lord of Mercy and Grace, forgive my foolishness of thinking I can do anything by myself. Help me to see all of life is your grace helping me to become more like you. Amen.
Image credit: http://dorkshelf.com/2013/01/28/fan-shelf-invincible-100/
Scared Into Heaven?
Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13
As a boy, I remember hearing a certain TV preacher who was always preaching about the end of world. He would literally yell out, “Jesus is coming soon, repent you sinners, repent!” There’s really nothing wrong with the old preacher’s message, after all, calling sinners to repentance is a part of the gospel. But, it’s the way the old man said it that always bothered me, in fact it still does. Quite frankly, it scared me. Let’s just say that when I heard him preach I wasn’t thinking hopefully about God’s grace the way St. Peter was.
While I didn’t know then, as a young boy I too would grow up to be a preacher, I now often think about the message I proclaim and how I proclaim it. I don’t think scaring people into Heaven is good evangelism. Even though Peter talks about the “fiery ordeal” that comes upon us as we suffer with Christ in this world, his message always gets around to the joy of seeing Jesus in His glory when this world ends.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
I think we should all take Peter’s advice. Let’s prepare our minds clearly and set our “hope”, on the “grace” God will reveal to us when Jesus ushers in the end the world as we know it. He brings His grace on waves of mercy. We don’t need to fear His coming if our faith is him; just live in the peace of His love, grace and mercy.
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Eternal Father, in the name of our coming Lord Jesus, help me to live in the peace you bring through your grace and mercy, and in the hope of your coming in glory. Amen.
Image credit: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/predictions-soar-for-end-of-the-world-this-month
What Goes Around, Comes Around
It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
Psalm 112:5-6
There’s an old saying I’ve always liked, “What goes around, comes around”. I guess I like it because it reminds me that things won’t always be the way they are. You know what I mean, things won’t always be so unjust. Our world is unjust in many of the affairs of people; lying, cheating, stealing, there’s seems to be no end to it. But, those who practice such kinds of injustice will eventually experience such injustice themselves, if not in this world, certainly in the next; though it will actually be what they deserve.
The proverb tells us that whatever behavior we spread around will eventually come back to us, good or bad. So, God’s people are to be beacons of righteousness in this dark world. Verse four of Psalm 112, says the righteous, “… rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous. The righteous are to be God’s waves of mercy to our lost and hurting world.
Who doesn’t want to be remembered forever? Scoundrels are a dime a dozen and are quickly forgotten after they die, for they gave nothing back to the world. But, the truly good people, the righteous saints of God, those we remember. The Psalmist tells us the hallmarks of such people; they are generous and just, and they are not moved from the righteousness of the Lord. I want to be remembered as that kind of person and I’m sure you do too, but it all begins in our spirit. Jesus said people reap what they sow, and we can only sow what’s in our spirit. May our spirits be graceful, merciful, and righteous, both now and forever, because…what goes around, comes around.
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Righteous, Eternal Father, thank you for your waves of mercy in my life. Help me to be graceful, merciful and righteous in this world, and may my spirit be counted among the righteous, now and forever. Amen.
Image credit: http://www.mesmerizingquotes.com/what-goes-around-comes-around/
To Forgive Is Human?
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14
Why is forgiveness so important? Apparently, it’s very important according to St. Matthew. In Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew tells us that Jesus taught our forgiving others is directly tied to our own forgiveness by our Father. At first this may not sound fair, after all, we’re not divine. We can’t be expected to be as forgiving as Jesus – or can we?
Christ forgives us through His great mercy. He gives us that which we can in no way deserve. Think about it. Do you deserve to be forgiven for ALL you’ve done wrong? I know I don’t; no one does. But in His great mercy, flowing from His heart of love, grace comes to everyone who repents.
If such mercy has been shown to you, by what reason do you withhold such mercy from others? “Because I’m human”, you say; sorry, not good enough. You see, we don’t forgive others out of our humanity, we do it out of the grace He pours into our lives. It’s in His strength that we show such love that forgives others’ sins against us.
Do you really want to let something someone else did to you be the cause of you’re not being forgiven? Jesus knows we can never be the person He died for us to be, if we hold on to such feelings; they will eat at our soul, and make us bitter. We are the conduit of His waves of mercy in this world. His mercy will flow where ever we let it. All that stands between us and the life Jesus wants for our world is our own feelings eating away at us from inside. We can make this world a better place.
Go ahead, pray these words like you mean them… “and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner, and teach me to have mercy on others. Amen.
Image credit: http://readlean.org/2013/09/the-power-of-forgiveness/
The Pursuit of Purpose
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
2 Timothy 1:9
Does it surprise you to learn God has a purpose for your life? He really does. Some people spend their whole life wondering what their purpose is here on earth. Instead of wondering, we need to dedicate time to the pursuit of learning His purpose for us. Too often we get busy in life fulfilling our wants and desires, and that’s not all bad. God does want us to be joyful and happy. Yet, scripture tells us that before time began God had a purpose in mind for each of us.
I’m not just talking about a vocation or calling type of purpose, although that’s a part of it. Each of us is gifted by God with certain aptitudes and we need to learn what those are. What I really want us to see is that the life we now live, whatever it is, is by the mercy of God. Absent His mercy we are nothing and going nowhere. In and of ourselves we don’t know how to live well in this present dark world. But by His mercy, and with His grace, we are able to find and fulfill His purpose for our life.
Everyone’s life looks different. We are all God’s children; each of us unique in our own way. However, one thing that’s the same for all of us – His purpose is for our holiness. God desires us to live holy lives, enjoying His salvation. How are you doing at finding God’s purpose for your life? Won’t you begin with knowing that His purpose is for you to be saved, and to be holy? Even if we’ve walked with God for many years, were still not as close as we could be. His waves of mercy will wash over us, and His grace will call us ever deeper into the pursuit of His purpose.
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Almighty Father, Your ways are so far above my ways, yet I know You have a purpose for my life. Draw me ever deeper into Your purpose for me, into life in your Spirit. Amen.
Image credit: http://unlearnedradio.com/2016/02/03/episode-2-the-pursuit-of-purpose/
Little Letters Make a Big Difference
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Titus 2:11-12
Isn’t it amazing to think of the difference one little word can make? Over and over the scriptures make the point that God loves everyone, not just some. Jesus told his disciples to go into “all” the world to teach the gospel, the good news that salvation has come. And, just as the love of God extends to every person in every place, so does His grace.
God’s grace offers everyone an opportunity to receive His waves of mercy, to jump into the flow of His river of love. His grace is completely free. There’s no way to earn or merit it by what we do or say; it has “appeared” in the form of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection offering salvation to all who will receive it.
Those three little letters, a-l-l, make the difference for everyone. No one can claim they were excluded from the greatest act of love the world has ever seen or will ever see. But, that’s not all. There are two little letters that make a big difference also; N-O. “No” is a word that we can all say when it comes to temptation. Because of God’s mercy given through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the gift of His Holy Spirit power, we can just say “No” to sin.
And here’s three more little letters that are very important today, Y-o-u. It’s for “you” this great love, mercy and grace was given. Stop and breathe that good news in for a moment…can you feel the waves of His mercy?
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your only son to die for even me. And thank you for His resurrection life and power that flow out to even me in your waves of mercy. Amen.
Image credit: https://ajathewriter.com/2013/05/03/word-challenges/
No Game of Thrones Here
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4;16
For most of history, when people needed help it was not easy to find. Most people lived in the peasant class and had no one to champion their cause. They certainly didn’t go to the King for help. Kings were a part of an elite class that ruled over the people and were rarely concerned with their daily needs. Mercy was rare and grace even rarer. Kings seemed more concerned with their ‘game of thrones’, than with the people’s needs.
But, all of that changed with the coming of Jesus. God always cared for His children but because the disobedience of the people, He often seemed distant. We couldn’t find our way back to Him on our own. Kings were supposed to represent God, but often didn’t. In the Old Testament, the way to God’s mercy was through the sacrificial system and the priestly clan of Levites. But with the advent of God made flesh, Jesus opened the way back to into the presence of God; a way not known since the Fall in the Garden.
What needs do you carry today? What concerns weigh you down? You needn’t break your spirit carrying them. Our Father has the answers, and He’s as close as the mention of His name. Now, you can go straight to the Throne of God, no need to beg to see the King, no long waiting lines. He isn’t busy with any war games. Jesus has opened the Heavens to you. From His throne flow waves of mercy, bringing grace to help in your time of need. Go ahead, call on His name – the King is waiting for you.
Grace and Peace,
+Pastor Brad
Prayer
Wonderful, merciful Father, I come into your presence today recognizing that you are always with me. You know and care about all that concerns me. Thank you for opening up the Heavens and pouring out your mercy and grace on me. Amen.
Image credit: http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-hbo-releases-new-season-six-teasers/