Mercy ... Will Be with You (2 John 1:3)

Today’s scripture: 2 John 1:3

What a year! We’ve looked at so many of God’s promises. Words of peace, faith, and joy. Promises of grace and mercy.

This is why I so love the word of God and why I feel so blessed to share with you what I learn.

Every time I open it, I discover new words of inspiration … or affirmation … or conviction.

Thank you again for taking a moment or two to read through these thrice-weekly devotions. I’m praying for God’s leading for 2018, and I’d love it if you’d pray for me too.

As we end another year, I leave you with the words of John:

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Mercies Every Morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Today’s scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23

Two weeks ago, we looked at one of my favorite psalms. Today, we linger on two of my favorite verses of all the Bible as well as the words of my favorite hymn that was inspired by these words.

God’s mercies are super-abundant and never-ending. Because of this, “we are not consumed.” We may be down, but we’re never out.

Because of His unfailing compassion, we can experience His mercy and faithfulness each and every moment.

Let’s now take a closer look at the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Thomas Chisholm wrote this hymn “as a testament to God’s faithfulness through his very ordinary life.” He later said, “… I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness” (as quoted on http://gaither.com/news/%E2%80%9Cgreat-thy-faithfulness%E2%80%9D-story-behind-hymn).

Chisholm’s words speak across the years:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O, God my Father! There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not. As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

I’m blessed (especially as I grow older and wearier) when I sing the last verse:

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Blessings all mine, with ten thousands beside!

His mercies and compassion never fail. They are new every morning.

Great is His faithfulness!

A Christmas Love Letter ...

Dear Jesus,

Words truly cannot express my gratitude for Your willingness to leave heaven and come to earth. You chose to …

Put on flesh.

Be born to a poor carpenter and a teenage bride.

Experience scraped knees and stomach aches.

Grow into awkward adolescence.

Sweat sawing and sanding wood.

Be tempted by the enemy—Your enemy.

Be ridiculed as You started Your ministry.

Be betrayed … arrested … denied … beaten … spat upon … scourged.

You chose to carry a cross.

You chose to die …

And You chose to forgive.

Words cannot truly express my gratitude for Your love and grace and mercy.

But I do thank You.

Happy birthday, Jesus.

Twas the Day Before Christmas ...

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the land
All the creatures were shopping–a bit out of hand.
Vying for parking spots and cutting in line,
A theme was recurring, "It's mine, mine, mine, MINE!"

On Santa's lap, the children did sit.
"I want a doll." "I want a mitt."
"An x-Box, an iPad, oh yes, and a Wii.
"Now that I think of it, give me all three!"
The grown-ups, too, they all wanted their own.
More jewelry, more gadgets to fill up their home.

In all of the rushing, one thing we forgot.
The one thing, the main thing, that we should have not.
Tomorrow is Christmas, a day most important
To honor the birth of our Savior God sent.

It's not about presents or music or lights;
No, none of that matters on this night of nights.
Jesus, the Messiah, came with a free gift for us
We must remember in the midst of the fuss.

The gift of salvation from sin us does save;
It's that greatest gift He so lovingly gave.
From manger to hilltop to cross He did go
All because of how He still loves us so.

As you revel in the fun and the sights and the sounds,
Remember, dear friends, this thought so profound:
Your Savior, your Lord, came to give you His light,
So have a truly Merry Christmas and a most blessed night.

© 2012 Sauni Rinehart

Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

Today's scripture: Isaiah 9:6

If Jesus’ being our Eternal Father is a comfort to me, this last attribute given our Savior brings me the most … well, peace. For He is, indeed, the Prince of Peace.

But for some of us, peace is the last thing we feel. Even as you’re celebrating our Savior’s birth, maybe you’re struggling with finances or your health, or maybe you’re struggling with a relationship.

I wrote a book over a decade ago based on Jeremiah 29:11-13, where God says His plans are for peace, not for evil. Regarding finding peace in spite of our circumstances, I wrote:

"I promise you this: If you’re truly willing to give your life, your plans, your dreams to God, He will keep His promise. You will have peace. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but if you trust Him, you will have peace.

"Don’t believe me? Will you believe God? There are quite a few references to peace in the Bible. Let me share one of my favorites. Read these words, hear them with your heart, and listen to what God has promised you:

"'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4: 6-7).

"Do you know what this verse says to me? When I’m focusing on God, when I’m asking in His name, when I’m praying for His will, I can be assured of two things: I need not be anxious for anything, and I will have peace—a peace that surpasses anything I could experience without God in my life, a peace that surpasses anything that I could get from my earthly relationships, from my job, from my church, from my family . . . from anything else.

"Isn’t that what you’re looking for? A peace that surpasses anything you’ve ever experienced? Ask Him. Ask Him now. Give your plans, your timelines, your dreams to Him. Trust Him to bring about that perfect will in your life. Then, and only then, will you have that peace. You will have that peace. I promise. More importantly, He promises"
(The Best Laid Plans © Sauni Rinehart 2005).

If you’re seeking that heavenly peace we sing about this time of year, go to the Prince of Peace. He’ll cover you with a peace that truly surpasses our understanding.

[Even though I don’t usually post a Sunday devotional, come back on Christmas Eve for a poem I’ve posted since 2012!]

Eternal Father (Isaiah 9:6)

Today's scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Of the four descriptions Isaiah uses of Jesus, this one is the most comforting to me. Jesus is our Eternal Father.

Frankly, it’s a mystery beyond our human understanding: The God we Christians worship is three-in-one. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. One God manifested in three persons.

And each shares the attributes of the others. I don’t fully understand, but I believe this to be true.

So even though we describe Jesus Christ as the Son of God, He is still, in fact, God the Son. And just as God the Father is eternal, so is Jesus the Eternal Father.

He is eternal—or what the New King James Version calls Everlasting. Jesus Christ has always been and will always be. He existed before time as we know it began, and He will exist when time as we know it ends.

He is our Father. He loves us with an unconditional love. There is nothing we can do or say or think that keeps Him from loving us. And He loves us whether we choose to love Him or not.

And if we choose to love Him, if we choose to believe in Him as our Savior and accept His gift of eternal life, He invites us to be in relationship with Him.

A relationship for now and for all eternity.

Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)

Today's scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Do you feel weak? Out of control?

Do you feel powerless as you hear of friends with cancer, read of starving children, watch news reports of terrorist attacks?

Do you look at this world and wonder who’s winning the battle?

I hate to be the bearer of even more bad news, but you are weak. You are out of control. You are powerless. And the enemy does win some battles.

But the good news? Or should I say the great news? Our Lord Jesus is our Mighty God. And we know that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

He is indeed mighty, powerful, omnipotent. Just resonate with some of these assurances of our Savior’s might:

“Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle” (Psalm 24:8).

“For who in the skies is comparable to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the LORD”? (Psalm 89:6).

“More than the sounds of many waters, Than the mighty breakers of the sea, The LORD on high is mighty” (Psalm 93:4).

"How great are His signs And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom And His dominion is from generation to generation.” (Daniel 4:3).

If you’re struggling, feeling as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders, remember your Mighty God. Your Savior will help you carry your burden (Matthew 11:30). His shoulders are more than strong enough.

Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

Today's scripture: Isaiah 9:6

As I've done for the last few years, in these few days leading to the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I’m going to focus on four attributes of our Savior as described by the prophet Isaiah.

Today, we read about our Wonderful Counselor.

If you read the King James or New King James versions, the words “Wonderful” and “Counselor” are separated by a comma as if they’re two separate attributes of our Savior. But, while He is certainly wonderful, I believe the New International Version and New American Standard translations are more accurate: Our Lord Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor.

But I wonder. Of all the attributes of our Savior Isaiah could have chosen, why begin with this one?

I can’t say for sure, but I wonder if it’s because we have a need to know that our Lord and Savior truly understands. Even though He is fully God, which we’ll talk about Monday, when He came to earth, He was fully human. And in being so, He experienced the same pain and temptation and weariness we do.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

So He can provide counsel, comfort, and peace to us.

I don’t know about you, but this attribute gives me great joy—and lifts my burdens. For I can kneel at the feet of my Lord Jesus and share whatever is on my heart and mind. And my Wonderful Counselor will listen and, through the Word of the Father, will sooth my soul.

Join me Monday as we look at the next of Jesus’ attributes: Mighty God.

Goodness and Mercy (Psalm 23)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 23

For many of us, Psalm 23 was one of the first scriptures we memorized. It’s a wonderful song of promise, and I absolutely love it.

I encourage you to read through it again … and again.

Our Good Shepherd gives us guidance and restoration. He leads us and guides us through the dark paths.

Because He is with us, we have no reason to fear.

He provides food and protection. He showers us with overwhelming blessings and abundant grace.

We can be assured that He will offer mercy every moment we live on this earth, and praise Him, we can look forward to being in His presence forever!

Amen.

Giving Affection and Mercy (Philippians 2:1-2)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:1-2

Just as we have been given mercy, we must give mercy to others.

Paul reminds us that mercy is necessary for “like-mindedness.” We have to be willing to not give others what we think they deserve … just as God has done for us.

This is especially true in our local church and with our closest circles of Christian friends. We’re all human, and others may (okay, likely will) do things that hurt or offend us. A bit of gossip. A careless word.

When we’re hurt, our first instinct often is to lash out or respond in kind. But we’re called to show “affection and mercy.” To offer forgiveness. To give comfort.

And this doesn’t mean we wait until they ask for love or mercy or forgiveness.

No, God offered salvation even when we sinned (Romans 5:8).

We need to show mercy and not give others what we think they deserve.

It’s not easy, but with the help of the Spirit, we can do it.

Trustworthy Mercy (Psalm 13:5)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 13:5

I’ve written before that I was abused as a child and young teenager by three different men. When you’ve been hurt by an adult, it’s often hard to trust anyone … even God Himself.

I didn’t trust men for a very long time, and I didn’t trust God either. Oh, I still believed in Him, but I distrusted His love … for me, at least.

I’m so grateful that I found trustworthy people, and I’m (literally!) eternally grateful I found my way back to the arms of Jesus.

I finally realized that God is worthy of trust, that His mercy is abundant, that His grace is abundant, and that His love is everlasting.

He is the God of my salvation, and I can trust in Him in every situation and at all times.

If you find it difficult to trust, go to the One who is worthy of your trust too. People may let you down, but God never will.

Never.

Saving Mercy (Titus 3:4-7)

Today’s scripture: Titus 3:4-7

We’ve talked before about justification by God’s grace. He sees us as righteous after we’re saved by His grace.

Especially as we focus on the birth of Jesus this Christmas season, I’m just in awe that God, the Creator of all things, loves me enough to have come to earth … for me!

He offers grace and mercy to me.

And even more He has adopted me as His dearly-loved daughter. I’m an “heir according to the hope of eternal life.”

He is indeed kind. And gracious. And merciful. And loving.

He is my Creator. My Savior. My Redeemer. My forever Father.

He is my everything … What is He to you?

Mercy for a Thousand Generations (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Today’s scripture: Deuteronomy 7:9

Eternity is an impossible concept. We on earth are bound by time.

We wake up at a specific time. We go to work at a specific time. We plan according to time. We review a calendar with dates and times. We look at devices that tell us the time.

So to even try to understand a God who is outside of time is … well, impossible. Yet that same God somehow put time as we know it in place when He created this earth. When He created morning and night. When He put the first man and woman in paradise.

He knew the choices they’d make. He knows the choices we’d make. And yet, in His mercy, in His all-knowing, beyond-time mercy, He “keeps covenant … for a thousand generations …” He keeps His covenant with you and with me.

I don’t understand it, but I’m blessed to know it’s true!

God's Rich Mercy! (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Today’s scripture: Ephesians 2:4-7

Ah … God’s rich mercy!

He so delights in not giving us what we deserve; we were “dead in trespasses” from the moment we took our first breaths. In our sinfulness, we deserve eternal death and separation from our Lord and Savior.

But “because of His great love” for us, He offers grace: giving us what we don’t deserve.

Because of His love for us, we are “alive together in Christ.” We are “raised … together,” and we will one day “sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus …”

We will spend eternity in the presence of our triune God: Father, Son, and Spirit.

Our God is indeed “rich in mercy”!