Showing posts with label Mercy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mercy. Show all posts

Friday, March 27, 2015

Time To Get Dressed


I don't know about you, dear reader, but I really love reading through Colossians. Each little serving of a few verses each has been a rich meal for me. Today, as I read chapter 3 verses 12 through 17, it was a feast that makes Thanksgiving dinner look meager. I only want to touch on one verse here today for fear of overeating. Perhaps, after I have finished blogging through the rest of Colossians, I will come back and feast on the leftovers.

But, now it's time to get dressed. Not for a night out on the town, but perhaps in our Sunday best. And not just on Sunday, but every day for the rest of our lives.

We must get dressed because we are chosen by God. He sought us out. He set us apart. We are dearly loved. We are His Bride!

We should put on a heart of mercy. Are you compassionate? Reach out to those in need. Share love with them. What do they need? Share it with them.

Put on kindness. In a world full of grumpy, got to get things done, me first people, smile at them. Say nice words to them. Turn their frowns upside down.

Dress yourselves with humility. Don't think the worst of yourself. Remember you are loved by God. But, consider others higher than yourself. Put their needs before your own. Jesus came to serve. You can too.

Wear gentleness. Don't be a bull in a china shop. Don't tremble in fear as if you're walking on eggshells. But walk strong and gentle as if you are cuddling and caring for a dearly beloved newborn babe.

Clothe yourself with patience. Life does not come with guaranteed overnight shipping. Not everything gets done in the microwave oven in under five minutes at full power. Some things take time. Wait for it. Always anticipate that God is still at work and wait patiently acting in faith that what He is doing will be brought to completion.

Are you dressed now? Well, take a look at yourself in the mirror and smile. You're beautiful!

Monday, January 26, 2015

Extending Mercy

Mercy Nights ..

I'll admit it, I got sidetracked. I'm back for now. It's not that I haven't been reading and studying God's Word in the interim. I've just gotten distracted by things that got in the way of blogging - things that got in the way of responding with my heart to what God was saying to me.

Today, I was reading in Matthew as I am working my way through reading the Bible through in a year. I was struck by the parable of the unforgiving slave. He owed his master a great debt and pleaded for mercy. His master forgave him the great debt and he was grateful, but then refused to forgive those who owed him a debt. Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?’ (‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭33‬ NET)

I am surely one who keeps accounts. I am not quick to let go when someone has offended me. And yet, I, like the slave in this passage, know that I have been forgiven much. How often have I prayed the Lord's Prayer and not forgiven those who have sinned against me? Far too often. I stand convicted!

Lord, Your mercy should overwhelm me, but I have become numb to it. Help me to realize the depths of Your mercy towards me. Break my heart for sin that I have committed and give me tears because of Your forgiveness. Show me those that I need to forgive and extend mercy towards and grant me Your mercy. Bring healing and restoration for Your glory. Amen.