Free From Sin!

We can't help being born sinners. It is our natural birthright being born human. As hard as we may try to be righteous, our own efforts will always cause us to fall short of God's glory.

Abraham chose to sleep with Hagar instead of keeping the faith with his wife, Sarah. Ishmael was born and brought dissension and resentment into his home.

Moses allowed anger to overrule his obedience to God's instructions. He missed out on reaching the Promised Land as a penalty.

David allowed lust to reign in his flesh and he committed adultery with another man's wife which led to murder when she became pregnant. The child born out of that union died as God's punishment.

All of these men were great men of faith. They believed God, followed after Him, and obeyed the Lord's commands. Yet they still sinned. They still had to deal with the consequences of those sins.

What I love about these examples is that their stories do not end with their sin. They went on to seek - and find - forgiveness from God. The Lord saw their contrite hearts and forgave them of their errors.

Abraham and Sarah eventually had their own son who went on to found the Israelite nation. Moses may have missed out on reaching the Promised Land, but he lived to witness the nation he led walking into God's promise for them. David married the widow and they had a son together who went on to be one of the wisest and richest kings in Israelite history.

Maybe you have sinned and are dealing with the consequences of your choice. Yes, you can't avoid the results of choosing to sin - every action has a reaction. But, you have God's grace and mercy with you as well. You don't have to live in bondage. You don't have to be cast down. You don't have to think that the Lord no longer loves you.

When you come to the Lord seeking His forgiveness, He is ready and willing to give it to you. He knows you're human. He knows that you aren't perfect. What's so wonderful is that God forgives and forgets! He won't hold it over your head, He won't throw it in your face down the road... It's as if you never made the mistake.

Today, bask in the power of God's forgiveness. Realize that God's grace and mercy are with you. Release yourself from the grips of guilt and gain your freedom in the Lord's love for you.

Verse of the Day: The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:8-12

Blessed Are the Merciful

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7

We have received great mercy from our Heavenly Father. As sinners, we were destined - deservedly - to live an eternal life in hell's fury. Yet, He chose to show us mercy. He chose to accept Jesus' sacrifice in place of our own.

Despite our daily failings... In spite of our habitual sins... Regardless of our continual falling away... Our Heavenly Father continues to pour out His love on us.

We have obtained the greatest mercy in the universe.

Yet, how much mercy do we show to others? When we are mistreated, misused, and abused, how often do we show forgiveness? How often do we overlook a wrong and choose to show undeserved kindness to another?

We have obtained great mercy, and we hold a great promise of eternal life as a result. It is only right that we show great mercy in return. It is only right that we reflect the great love that we have been shown.

Jesus told a telling parable about a man who was shown mercy with a debt he owed. Even though the man was pardoned for a great debt, he still chose to torture another man who owed him little. In the end, that same man was punished for his cruelty.

Despite the fact that we have been shown great mercy, are we missing out on blessings because of our inability to show that mercy to others?

Today, aim to reflect the great mercy that you've received from the Lord. Remember the great things that you've been forgiven of, and show someone else the joy of that forgiveness.

Verse of the Day: Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 106:1

Matchless Mercy

Mercy: a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior; mercy, clemency, pardon

God's mercy is what delivered us from the penalty of sin. He took Jesus' substitutional sacrifice as payment for our sins and granted us His mercy. Because of this, we stand righteous before the Lord, we're able to come boldly into His presence, and are guaranteed to have an eternal life in Paradise with Him.

The Father's mercy is renewed to us every morning. (Lamentations 3:22, 23) Even though we are human, fallible, sinful beings in our nature, every day our Father chooses to show us mercy all over again. Despite how we may have failed Him the day, hour or minute before, our pleas for forgiveness are always heeded and granted. The Lord is faithful!

Isn't that amazing? The Lord gives us favor in spite of ourselves! There is nothing that can separate us from His love! There is nothing we can do to make Him take away His mercy. Once we accept His Son as Lord over our life, we are brought into His family for good. All of our mistakes, sins, and shortcomings are covered by Jesus' precious blood, and we are seen as pure beings in the eyes of the Lord.

The Lord's mercy is manifested in the blessings we receive as we develop a right relationship with Him. We enjoy peace in our minds, joy in our hearts, love for others, and wisdom as we navigate through life. God's mercy is a powerful tool!

None of us are worthy. None of us deserve it. None of us can ever live up to it's powerful effect.

But it's ours just the same.

Doesn't that make you love God all the more?

Verse of the Day: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9, 10