Every morning that the sun rises and the moon and the stars fade into the background, the Lord's mercy for us is renewed...
"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:23-24 (NLT)
But as His children created in His image,... do we have mercy in our heart for another?
It's easy to get a little off course these days with so many things attempting to pull us in different directions. But "a little" off course... is off course. And being off even by a little can lead us to a destination we never intended over time.
We're human, so it's no surprise to anyone that we're tempted to be intrigued by humanly interesting things. For our potentially consuming pleasure as humans, there are personal interests, group interests (which can include ideological, religious, ethnic, and a host of other "groups"), national interests and even global interests just waiting to grab our attention. Each one of them presents opportunities for us to be both divided and divisive. Additionally, at times it seems like the sponsor of each and every available interest is anxious to win our allegiance to the available "cause" of the moment, so it's not too hard to understand how we might allow ourselves to feel pulled in different directions. But in the midst of all of those different possible paths, ... as "followers" of Christ, there's really only one path that we should be following and only one interest that we owe complete loyalty to - a path marked by some very disciplined footsteps and a consuming and overriding interest that should unite us all.
"The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you." John 15:19 (NLT)
To hate sin as God does is not wrong,... but as "followers" of Christ, do we love the sinner as He does? In the moments that could divide us and perhaps even spark our anger, in those moments of tempting worldly divisiveness, do we choose to reflect and share the grace that we ourselves are such awesome beneficiaries of? Do we have grace for a differing opinion or does it evoke a war of words? Does the forgiven forgive, or bring judgment on his own head (Matthew 18:21-35)? What matters in God's economy - what has value? People matter, hearts matter and the people contrary to us are as desired by God as we are, so we need to take care in how we respond to them if we respect Him. It's easy to react to some things in the worldly life around us quite vocally (and for some even less controlled - physically), but the cure and resolution to the world's division - however inviting a fight it may be, isn't our bringing more fuel to add to the worldly fire of division... And social media has not only the ability, but also the propensity to become a bonfire if we let it.
The Apostle Paul:
"In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants." 2 Timothy 2:20-26 (NLT)
If we allow this world to be our first and foremost focus, then by inheritance we may find ourselves heirs to all of the troubles and fears that the world and its governments have to offer. But, if we make submitting ourselves to the governance of the God who created us our first and overriding focus as He ordained it to be, then this world and it's troubles are no longer our concern. As we submit as citizens of the higher government of our God, certainly our desire will and should be for what He desires and wills, but we allow that the battle is sovereignly His - and He does not and never will, ever fail.
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:23-24 (NLT)
But as His children created in His image,... do we have mercy in our heart for another?
It's easy to get a little off course these days with so many things attempting to pull us in different directions. But "a little" off course... is off course. And being off even by a little can lead us to a destination we never intended over time.
We're human, so it's no surprise to anyone that we're tempted to be intrigued by humanly interesting things. For our potentially consuming pleasure as humans, there are personal interests, group interests (which can include ideological, religious, ethnic, and a host of other "groups"), national interests and even global interests just waiting to grab our attention. Each one of them presents opportunities for us to be both divided and divisive. Additionally, at times it seems like the sponsor of each and every available interest is anxious to win our allegiance to the available "cause" of the moment, so it's not too hard to understand how we might allow ourselves to feel pulled in different directions. But in the midst of all of those different possible paths, ... as "followers" of Christ, there's really only one path that we should be following and only one interest that we owe complete loyalty to - a path marked by some very disciplined footsteps and a consuming and overriding interest that should unite us all.
"The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you." John 15:19 (NLT)
To hate sin as God does is not wrong,... but as "followers" of Christ, do we love the sinner as He does? In the moments that could divide us and perhaps even spark our anger, in those moments of tempting worldly divisiveness, do we choose to reflect and share the grace that we ourselves are such awesome beneficiaries of? Do we have grace for a differing opinion or does it evoke a war of words? Does the forgiven forgive, or bring judgment on his own head (Matthew 18:21-35)? What matters in God's economy - what has value? People matter, hearts matter and the people contrary to us are as desired by God as we are, so we need to take care in how we respond to them if we respect Him. It's easy to react to some things in the worldly life around us quite vocally (and for some even less controlled - physically), but the cure and resolution to the world's division - however inviting a fight it may be, isn't our bringing more fuel to add to the worldly fire of division... And social media has not only the ability, but also the propensity to become a bonfire if we let it.
The Apostle Paul:
"In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants." 2 Timothy 2:20-26 (NLT)
If we allow this world to be our first and foremost focus, then by inheritance we may find ourselves heirs to all of the troubles and fears that the world and its governments have to offer. But, if we make submitting ourselves to the governance of the God who created us our first and overriding focus as He ordained it to be, then this world and it's troubles are no longer our concern. As we submit as citizens of the higher government of our God, certainly our desire will and should be for what He desires and wills, but we allow that the battle is sovereignly His - and He does not and never will, ever fail.
"The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the LORD’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love." Lamentations 3:25-32 (NLT)
Jesus:
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 (NLT)
We're not powerless, but instead become ultimately powerful both with and through Christ Jesus when we find our right place... on our knees before Him.
Peace.
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
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