Forever Mercy Endures

Happy Sunday!

"Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits.  Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all lords. His love never quits."(Psalm 136:1-3).

Have you ever wanted to purchase something and had to diligently check the dates because the sale price was ending?  Have you ever been enjoying a food or dessert and come to the end of it?  What about a lovely vacation or time off work?  These enjoyable things soon come to an end.  BUT the Word of God reminds us of the things that will remain the same FOREVER!  Aren't you glad that Hebrews 13:8 assures us, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."(KJV). 

Psalm 136 tells us that God's "Mercy" is forever.  That might not make you happy, but it brings me great joy.  Mercy is defined as "That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being."(Webster's 1828 Dictionary).  I'm so glad that His "Mercy" endures forever and I benefit.

God not only extends "Mercy", he also gives us the ability to be merciful as well.  Proverbs 14:21, "He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellowman, and himself], but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind and merciful to the poor."(Amplified).

Love, prayers, and mercy, Cynthia

The Best that Could Happen

Happy Sunday!

I love a good Bible Story!  One of my favorites is the 4 lepers who decided, "What was the worst that could happen?"  They could stay where they were and die, or risk it all and perhaps things could get better!  You know the story!  Things changed drastically for them because they refused to fear.

Before they made a change for the better, the prophet prophesied that things were going to change.  "Elisha said, “Listen to the message from the Lord! The Lord says, ‘About this time tomorrow, there will be plenty of food, and it will be cheap again. A person will be able to buy a basket of fine flour or two baskets of barley for only one shekel in the marketplace by the city gates of Samaria.’” Then the officer who was close to the king answered the man of God. The officer said, “Even if the Lord made windows in heaven, this could not happen.” Elisha said, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of that food.”(2 Kings 7:1-2 Easy-to-Read Version).

Even though this man had a good job with the king he was ignorant.  He couldn't comprehend that God's Wisdom always trumps man's wisdom.  The audacity of him to say that God couldn't make windows in heaven.  Malachi 3:10 says, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the WINDOWS of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."(KJV).  Even Jesus reminded us, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.”(Matthew 19:26 CEV).

Don't let Fear stop you!  The enemy does everything he can to stop you and tell you about everything bad that could happen.  Most of what he promotes never happens!  The Promised Land was there just like God said, and it was a good land, full of milk and honey.  The giants were nothing to God, and they don't have to stop you either.

Love and prayers, and victory, Cynthia

Walking

 Happy Sunday!

"Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life.  As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment."(Psalm 16:11 Voice).

I enjoy a good walk.  Not only because walking has been proven to be safe and effective for weight loss but it releases the feel good hormones; dopamine and serotonin.  The Psalmist said, "As I walk with you" all kinds of good things happen.  Think about it!  Have you every walked with a good friend or loved one?  You are so happy to be with them, and your walk seems easier.  You walk and talk, and enjoy their company.  Psalm 1:1-2 says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."(KJV).

God wants to walk with you, everyday.  He will show you the path to a "beautiful life".  His Word is full of the steps.  Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]."(Amplified).  2 John 1:6 says, "And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it]."(Amplified).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Christ Like

 Happy Sunday!

"Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing."(Mark 5:36 Amplified).

Have you ever heard someone speaking about Jesus and wondered what Jesus they were referring to?  So many times I hear people wax philosophical about Jesus with no scripture to back it up.  Jesus is not The Easter Bunny or The Tooth Fairy!  His character and mode of operation are clearly displayed in the Word.   "Jesus answered, “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words."(John 10:25 Message).

In Mark 5 Jesus is on his way to the house of Jairus to heal his daughter.  There was a delay when a woman with an issue of blood determined that she would reach out and touch Jesus' garment and be made whole.  She was healed just as she believed, and Jesus encouraged her that it was her faith that made her whole.  By that time, the messengers had come to find Jairus and give him the sad news that his daughter was dead.  Jesus heard the facts that were given to Jairus, but he knew the TRUTH.  Just like He told Martha, "I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live."(John 11:25 Message).

Jesus told Jairus, “Don’t listen to them; just trust me.”(Mark 5:36 Message).  Jesus was confident in what he could and would do and he wanted Jairus to stay in faith.  No matter what it looks like we have to stay in faith.  The Apostle Paul later explained, "For we walk by faith, not by sight:"(2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).  A magician uses slight of hand to convince you that something has happened when it really has not.  The Devil is the same way.  He uses lies, deceit, and deception to convince us that all hope is lost, and there is no way out.  BUT we don't have to take the bait!  We can renew our minds with the Word of God and respond based on that knowledge of, and confidence in the Word.

Jesus raised the little girl from the dead after being laughed at, and having to put all of the doubters out of the house.  He didn't back down because of opposition, and he didn't give up.  We can learn so much from His example. 

Love and prayers, Cynthia