​Do you need mercy?  The Bible assures us that the mercy of God is available. The structures and institutions of the world are limited in the mercy they can extend to persons. God’s mercy is unlimited.  David cried to the Lord for mercy after his sin with Bathsheba. (Psalm 51:1-5) Isaiah encouraged the wicked to forsake their way because God was merciful:
 
Isaiah 55:7-9 (ESV)
7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 
 
The enemy convinces unbelievers and believers alike that their sin is too bad, too complicated, and too much for God to forgive.  This is untrue.  Isaiah explains why in verse 8.
 
 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
 
This is our God! He is full of mercy.  Consider His ability to abundantly pardon!  It’s available now. Psalm 145:18 states that the Lord is near to all that call upon Him. If you are doing fine, having victory and doing well. You can declare the mercy of God to people who need to hear it. Our God is full of mercy for all who call upon him.  The Psalmist summed it up well.
 
Psalm 86:15 (ESV)
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
 
Praise God!
.
 
 

There is a dynamic change that takes place in the life of a person when they make the grand transition from sin to salvation. As a “sinner”, the person is in company with all the fall of humanity.  He or her is concerned about their welfare, focused on the dangers and opportunities of the world around him, and curious to discover the pathway to success, pleasure, and the meaning of life. Sometimes, It’s the problems of life that often make this person look elsewhere for resolution to life’s challenges.  Let’s imagine that Christ bids the person to come to Him and gets his attention through a conversation, a Scripture, a sermon, a song, or an occasion.  Convinced of his need, the person makes the effort to shift his trust from himself to Christ.  Jesus bids the seeker to receive His invitation, “.as many as received Him, to them He gave power to have life in His name.”( John 1:12) As He makes his confession of Christ, the action of his will, connects with the Spirit of God and He meets the person in that moment.  The shift occurs in the soul, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, who not only convinces him of his lostness, but assures him of salvation and the forgiveness of sin.  The dynamic change is the result.  Now free from the guilt of the past, our friend has begun to trust Christ with his life, fears, anxieties as well as his hopes and his dreams. He now focuses on others.  Free from anxiety, his concern lifts its head from his own orientation to the needs of others.  This is the work of God.  New life is the result. Christian, are you confessing Christ but find yourself drawn to the siren song of the world?  Look up!  He’s ready to help you get your focus back on His mercy and grace. Seeker, Christ stands ready today to receive you, just as you are.  He is ready to forgive, ready to help, and ready to heal.  Praise God!

​I have a favorite Psalm.  It’s not the longest (Psalm 119:1- 176) or the shortest (Psalm 117:1-2) but it is very positive.  I like it because it shifts our attention from our own condition and situation to God’s goodness and righteousness.  It is truly worshipful.  What is it?  It has one major characteristic: It’s the second person possessive adjective “YOUR”.  It has that word in its 21 verses, 17 times.  The Psalm focuses the attention off the person praising to the One being praised, hence the YOUR focus. What is the Psalm?  Psalm 145:1-21 (hint, hover your cursor over the reference and it will pop up).  Take the time to read it.  He’s good!  He’s always full of mercy.  It’s a great practice to go first to this Psalm and pray yourself happy that your good God has been watching over you and will continue to do so.  It’s His name we bless! It’s His works that will be conveyed from one generation to another. I love the final commitment on the part of the worshipper. (Ps 145:21)  “My mouth will declare the LORD’s praise; let every living thing bless his holy name forever and ever.” Praise God!

​Metaphors are powerful.  Jesus loved to use them.  He talked of cities on hills, vines and branches, and the powerful fire and water metaphors about the Holy Spirit.  Another metaphor Jesus used was salt and light.  He used it to refer to us.  Believers have a 24/7 privilege to show the light of God's love to an unbelieving world. Salt was known for its preservative qualities.  Believers are also a preserving influence in society.  Because you and I bring the presence of God wherever we go, we are doing His will and helping Him achieve His purposes on the earth. Consider the words of Jesus. Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV) 13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. The twofold activity of the Christian, salt and light.  Praise God!

​There is nothing like a transformed life.  As a child we attended church every Sunday on Sunday nights as well as Sunday mornings.  A regular feature of this tradition was a “Testimony Service.” It went like this.  The leader would ask if anyone had a testimony?  Volunteers would stand and share one after the other.  Sometimes there was a person that would do it regularly, other times not.  These saints would declare an answer to a prayer of healing, the rescue of a child from trouble, or maybe even such a grand provision of a new job or raise at work where it seemed not possible at all. This had a tremendous impact on my young soul as I saw in real time the work of God in the lives of people that went to my church.  They were not trained clergy or articulate spokesmen, but they testified of a real God intervening in the lives of men and women, boys and girls. As rich as my Christian heritage is, I learned that I should not just base my faith on personal experience but the revealed truth of Scripture. The Bible conveys the firm foundation of truth that our experience rests on.  Psalm 107:2 declares: “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy”. What has God done in your life?  Maybe it’s time to testify! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!  Praise God!

​Paul the apostle was an amazing person.  The book of Acts declares that he and his companions led the way in the evangelization of Asia Minor.  He humbly acknowledged that all his successes were because of God’s mercy. His epistle to the Romans is a great treasure of theological truth. It's to these Romans that Paul mentions this great truth. In one verse, there are three simple things  a person can focus on to assist in their walk with Christ.  Christianity is not merely thoughts and doctrines, but also actions and ministry activity! All three of these things are actions. He says in Romans 12:12 that believers can be: “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” That’s enough to keep a person busy.  As you look closer at each phrase, we hope joyfully because we know that what we hope for is certain (Hebrews 11:1) Patient in affliction is very hard to do, but as believers we are able to show the opposite of a simple human response.  By this, we declare to the world that we are truly different and can be patient as our Lord is a Deliverer.  Consider the prayer Jesus gave His disciples “deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:4) because that’s what He does! Finally, we can be faithful in prayer. Even when it seems to have no effect, the faithful believer can push on and persevere in faithful, prayerful activity.  Three simple things from Romans 12:12 “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Praise God!

​​He Giveth Power! It’s another one of those phrases informed by the KJV translation that worked its way into a salvation history song. In 1920, Anna Waterman wrote the song “Yes I know”. There is a scripture (KJV) that has that exact phrase (Isaiah 40:29-31). God is near to the broken hearted! Both the Scripture and the song affirm a God who has a higher grander purpose than personal circumstances may seem. He is literally bigger than all our problems!  If you are struggling today, know that the same God that made the world, is aware of your difficulty. He wants to lift you up and encourage you. His mercies are truly new every morning. Even in the New Testament, the book of James declares that even though God resists the proud, He is more so a giver of grace and mercy.  (James 4:6) As we humble ourselves under His mighty hand we will find all the grace that we need.  Praise God!

​The grand design of God is amazing to behold.  He is the One that gave us our brains. We are the only part of His creation that can think critically. Almost as soon as we can talk, we begin to ask: why? As we grow, the conventions of our culture instruct us that there are some things you don’t talk about, other things that are appropriate to the situation, and other things that you just should never speak of. Then as we age we discover all too quickly that paradox and incongruity are as normal as the precious air we breathe. The same God that gave us these amazing brains to ask why, seek out answers, and discover meanings, also asks us to trust with no evidence, and to believe and have faith in something we cannot see. It is the reality of this paradox that God trusts us with.  His word is a powerful revelation to help us navigate the complexity of learning and faith.  The prophet Jeremiah saw the destruction of the city of Jerusalem from an invading army, yet under the inspiration of the Spirit he could write the following words from Lamentations 3:21-26. Lam. 3:21   This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Our skills at critical thinking AND our unwavering faith in God result in steadfast, resolute, and unshakeable faith.  Praise God!

​The end times is confusing to many.  It doesn’t have to be.  In our culture, when it gets complicated, it’s the natural tendency to wonder if this is the end.  There are plenty of Scriptures that speak clearly of the end times.  The most striking one is what Jesus says in Matthew 24.  A simple read of that passage illustrates that Jesus was talking about the full scope of the future and the end of time. Paul and Peter teach us great truths of the end of time in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and 1 Corinthians 15.  The book of Revelation is full of hope for those who worship Christ. As a believer in this modern and complicated age, how should you think about the full truth of the end?  As far as I can see, for believers, it’s the hope of tremendous victory. This is what Peter was getting at in 1 Peter 1:8. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” For the believer, because of the salvation and presence of the Holy Spirit, (Romans 8:3), right now we can have inexpressible and glorious joy. Praise God!

It’s mentioned in three of the Gospels. (Matt. 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19)
He approached Jesus because he was interested in his teaching. In normal fashion, Jesus answered the young ruler with a question. It’s in the question of Jesus that we find the essence of the Good News.  This Rich Young Ruler had addressed Jesus as “good”.  Jesus’s quick reply was to say “Why do you call ME good?  No one is good but God alone?  It is as powerful as it is subtle. What is the reason you would call Jesus good, asks Jesus? He’s asserting that since there is only One who is good, He is addressing Jesus as God. That’s not the wrong answer.  It would have been absolutely correct. Jesus was attempting to convince the young man that He was addressing not a good teacher, but a good God. That’s how God works.  He simply wants us to believe Him. The whole book of John is a narrative Gospel to convince the readers to believe that Jesus was the Christ.  It reminds me of Peter’s grand declaration in Matthew 16:16-17, to Jesus “You are the Christ! The Son of the Living God! The Rich Young Ruler chose his riches over a belief statement. What a tragedy!  In contrast, Jesus responded to Peter’s grand declaration that on his confession He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it! Praise God!

​Written by God.  That’s the claim the Bible makes.  While it was being written, the authors used…the Bible! How exactly did they do that while it was being written?  The answer is SCOPE.  Because the Bible was written over 1600 years by 40 different authors, those authors used the Scriptures that were available to them.  Consider when Hilkiah found the books of the law during the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:8) or when Jeremiah criticized the priests for not reading it (Jer 8:8) Daniel referred to Jeremiah’s writings (Daniel 9:2) The quotations across biblical writers of each other are abundant.  In the New Testament we see Jesus referencing Abraham (Luke 19:9; John 8:39, 58) and John quoting Daniel in Revelation (Rev 14:14)  Even later in the writing of the New Testament, we see Peter identifying all the writings of Paul as “Scripture” (2 Peter 3:15-16).  Reflecting all this causes me to stand in awe at the great processes of God. If that isn’t enough the apostle Peter basically describes this wonderful journey of inspiration: “because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:21) Praise God!

​The book of Daniel contains prophetic wonder, history, and mystery.  It’s also a book that models the importance of prayer.  Here is Daniel, exiled from his homeland, repatriated in a foreign land, and trusting God at the same time.  While the book shows instances of him praying on 8 different occasions (Dan. 6:10, 13; 9:3–4, 17, 20–21; 10:12). It’s when he faces difficulty early in the book, we get a wonderful description of his habit of prayer:  “When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day  Bhe got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” (Dan. 6:10) Praise God!

Start reading in any of the 4 gospels and you will find Jesus in the middle of everything.  One of the wonders of the Incarnation (God coming to earth in human flesh) is that Jesus was not seated in a palace in Jerusalem, but on the roads of Galilee. Because he was there with the disciples, He was able to meet them right where they live.   I think it’s because of His presence with the people of Capernaum, on the road up to Jerusalem, in Bethany, and on the road to Jericho, that his invitation was followed.  What was the invitation?  Follow Me.  The phrase as translated in English is in the Gospels 20 times. And here they are: 
​
Matt. 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 10:38; 16:24; 19:21; 
Mark 1:17; 2:14; 8:34; 10:21; 
Luke 5:27; 9:23, 59; 18:22; 
John 1:43; 10:27; 12:26; 13:36; 21:19, 22
 
Put your curser around these verses and consider the Jesus Invitation, and Follow Him! It reminds me of that great prophecy of Isaiah 7:14.  Matthew saw its significance through the Spirit when he quoted in Matthew 1:23.  God is WITH us!  Praise God!

​There are memorable songs that stay with you for decades.  My parents took me to church. Every Sunday from birth forward.  I was fortunate to be raised in the classical Pentecostal tradition.  If there is one thing that is characteristic of that culture, its music.  We sang many songs from “Melodies of Praise” and we sang enthusiastically.  There’s one more thing.  I’m an auditory learner. I remember things best that I hear, over and over again.  A phrase came to mind today.  Only Trust Him.  It’s from the song, in the hymnbook, years ago by John Stockton. Now with  youtube you simply have to put the title in, and boom! There is someone singing it.  like Alan Jackson.  Consider the first verse of this grand anthem: “Come, every soul by sin oppressed; there’s mercy with the Lord,
and He will surely give you rest by trusting in His Word.”[1] Praise God!
[1] https://thescottspot.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/only-trust-him-written-in-1874/
 

​I have a favorite verse. In every new Bible, I go to this verse and underline it. I like to read it in different versions as well. It’s not the only verse in the Bible I really like. I have lots of verses and passages I enjoy reading in Scripture. I like verses that just make it plain and don’t need a lot of background or theological explanation.  This is the one for me.  It was written by John toward the latter part of his life.  The church had advanced around the world and there were churches in many of the major cities of the known world.  John wrote to convey the truths about Christ, as he did in his gospel.  It was written before John’s experience on Patmos and the victorious book of Revelation. It’s practical, thoughtful, but also quite profoundly theological.  It’s found in 1John 2:1    My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. 2 He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. In other words, we’re not special, just forgiven.  If we sin, it’s a bad thing, but the good news is we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. But not just for us, for the whole world.  Praise God!

​The verse was one I knew well.  I had memorized it as a child and was assured of its truth.  Romans 3:23. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” It was part of the Roman road that a believer could memorize to instruct a seeking believer in how to be a Christian.  Romans 3:23 was step one.  Everyone needs to know they are a “sinner”. So Romans 3:23 is a one verse wonder in making it clear how utterly sinful we all are.  The subtlety of this knowledge became a tool of the enemy to condemn, criticize and judge.  “All have sinned”. “You’re a failure!” “You’re a sinner” you have no value.  Then I read it in context.  The very next verse asserted the more fully developed truth that there is a solution for the sin!  Romans 3:24!
“And are justified freely as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. There was victory!  There was liberty and just as strong as verse 23 identified the “sin”, verse 24 stands to clearly declare the grace of Christ that justifies the sinner and is discovered clearly by its context!  Praise God!