Month: September 2019

Choose Mercy

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

Do you want to be blessed? Would you like your life to be characterized by happiness and joy? Well, what if the answer is to choose mercy? Yes, choose mercy!

I know you feel justified to hold that grudge. Maybe they don’t deserve your kindness. Perhaps, they have treated you badly or done you wrongly, one time too many! However, the beatitude spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5:7, makes it clear, if you are merciful, you will receive mercy. And, if you’re anything like me, you need the mercy of God.

I need the mercy of God.
You need the mercy of God.
We all need the mercy of God!

Take a moment to reflect on Titus 3:3-5.

“For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, led astray, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Woe is me, without the mercy of God! We serve a merciful God and Psalm 136 declares that we should give thanks unto the Lord because of His mercy.

But, not only should we give thanks to the Lord; we should seek to be merciful unto others. How dare we soak up the mercies of God, but not extend that same mercy unto others! Make a concerted effort to bear the cross of mercy. Be merciful to that co-worker, you find difficult. Be merciful to that child, who always seems to get in trouble and make the wrong decisions. Be merciful to that driver, who pulled in front of you. Be merciful to your spouse, family, and friends. Choose mercy!

How great is our God, as we extend mercy unto others, He gives us the mercy we need! So let us choose mercy.

Are you Ordinary or Extraordinary?

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Are you ordinary or extraordinary? Maybe you feel average or maybe God has blessed you with an extraordinary gift or talent. Either way, we all have the opportunity to be extraordinary for God. We serve a God, who is anything but ordinary, He is extraordinary in all His ways. He is looking for someone to be extraordinary for Him. Take a moment and do a self-examination. Have you settled for mediocrity or the ordinary in your Christian life?

Do you have an expectant spirit for the things of God? Are interested in the blessings of God, but give no thought to the responsibility of being a Christian? Jesus declares in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

If your interests have been peaked and you have a desire to become extraordinary for God then take a moment and read Exodus 2:1-4. What can we learn from Moses’ mother in these few verses?

Those who are extraordinary, for God, give birth, even in adversity.
Moses’ mother gives birth during a time when it was dangerous to have a baby boy. There was a decree for all Hebrew boys born, to be killed by being thrown in the Nile River. But guess what? Moses’ mother conceives and gives birth even in the face of adversity. When God wants something accomplished in the earthly realm, He usually uses us – His believers. Will you be willing to step out on faith and give birth to whatever God is calling you to do, even in the face of adversity?

Those who are extraordinary, for God, protect what they have birthed.
When Moses’ mother gives birth, she knows her son’s life is in jeopardy; she knows the enemy is after him. She doesn’t panic or become upset by the fact that she has a boy. No, she sees that he is a goodly child, beautiful, and worth protecting. She takes steps to protect him by hiding him for three months. We must protect what God has allowed us to birth. We must protect our marriages, our children, our careers, our relationships, our ministries, even our relationship with Christ. The best way, we can protect, what God has allowed us to birth is by keeping Christ first in our lives. Matthew 6:33 declares, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Don’t allow the new job to keep you from attending church. Don’t allow the spouse and children, that God blessed you with, hinder your prayer life. Don’t become so engrossed in ministry that you push aside the God of whom its all about! Be extraordinary and protect what God has allowed you to birth!

Those who are extraordinary, for God, are willing to let go and let God.
Moses’ mother had the wisdom to know there was a time to let go. She was wise enough to know that she could no longer hide her baby. The house, that once was a safe-haven, would now put his life in greater jeopardy. However, Moses’ mother did not hopelessly let him go. She had faith to let God. 9CE26272-B741-4ED2-9E93-74CADD63752FCan you imagine the faith it takes to make a basket waterproof; place your baby in the basket; and leave your baby at the Nile River, while his sister watches from afar? Moses’ mother was willing to let go and let God. What is God telling you to let go of, so He can show His power? What has grown too big for your human hands? Extraordinary Christians have the wisdom to let go and the faith to let God. When Moses’ mother lets go and lets God, God does not disappoint. The baby’s life is preserved; Pharoah’s daughter has compassion on him; and Moses’ mother is paid to nurse her on baby, in her own house. Only an extraordinary God could miraculously turn things around so amazingly.

Be extraordinary for God. Be willing to give birth, even in adversity; take actions to protect what you have birthed; and let go and let God. He will amaze you!

Pray Like Jesus

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You’ve probably heard the statement, “Lead by example.” We can instruct others, but it is usually our example that speaks loudest. Our children listen to what we say, but probably pay more attention to what we do. It is the adage, “A sermon lived, is more powerful than a sermon preached.” However, as we seek to lead by example, I wonder how well we are following the Leader, our Savior, Jesus!

While Jesus, walked the earth, he was an amazing teacher. Jesus, the great teacher, lead by example. One undeniable example He set was in His prayer life! Jesus was adamant, about spending personal time with His Father, Our Father! As you follow the leader, are you following His example of prayer? Luke 18:1 makes it clear that man should always pray. So, what can we learn from the prayer life of Jesus?

He was intentional.
Jesus knew the importance of spending time with His Father. What did Jesus do to ensure He spent quality time, in prayer, with the Father? In Mark 1:35, 12E3F891-CD02-4C11-8B48-ECF70C41E69AJesus gets up very early in the morning, while it is still dark to go and pray. That’s intentional! Early in the morning, before the busyness of the day, Jesus took time to pray. Not only, do we see Jesus rising early, there were also times Jesus sent the crowds away and went to pray. Matthew 14:23, “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” What/Who do you need to send away, maybe just for a moment, so you can pray to the Father? Make a plan to be intentional in your prayer life.

He prayed God’s will, not His.
Jesus’ focus in prayer was completely on the Father. He desired the Father’s will over His own will. Even at his darkest moment, with the suffering of the cross before him, He prays, “not my will, but your will be done.” Are your prayers filled with requests for God to do your will, or, are your prayers humble petitions for God’s will to be done in your life? May we be like Jesus and pray for God’s will! After all, His will is perfect.

He interceded for others, even His enemies.
Jesus’ prayers were usually focused on others, instead of himself. John 17, is a lengthy prayer were Jesus adamantly prayed for himself, his disciples, and other believers. In fact, we find in Romans 8:35 that He is still interceding for us. If He is interceding for you, who are you interceding for? Are your prayers self-focused, consumed with your own concerns, needs, and wants? Of course, we should boldly go before the throne of grace for our own ailments, heartaches, troubles, needs, and wants. However, Jesus sets the example of an outward focused prayer life. He even prays for his enemies! On the cross, Jesus cries out, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Examine your prayers and make a conscientious effort to pray for others, even your enemies.

It is Jesus’ prayer life that lays out a road map for our prayer life. May we be intentional in prayer! May our prayers, seek God’s will over our own. Lastly, may we boldly intercede on behalf of others.

Today as you celebrate Labor Day, do not rest from Laboring in prayer. As you imitate Jesus’ prayer life, He will equip you to carry your cross! The power you need to daily carry your cross is matched by your prayer life. You cannot do this in your own strength, through prayer tap into the strength of the Father.