Great mercy

Daniel 9:18 - We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.

Daniel reminds us of the mercy of God in this particular verse. I have been quite saddened to see how many Christians like to dwell on the vengeance and anger of God. I know that there will come a time when God has to wrap things up and judgement will come, but I believe the world also needs to be reminded of his mercy at this point in time. 

"My trust in God flows out of the experience of his loving me, day in and day out, whether the day is stormy or fair, whether I'm sick or in good health, whether I'm in a state of grace or disgrace. He comes to me where I live and loves me as I am." - Brennan Manning

And it is because of God’s great mercy that I know I can approach the throne of Grace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Immeasurable

Every so often I stumble across a verse that really leaves me astounded at the love God has for us. This last week, while reading Jeremiah 31, I ended up reading a little further into the set reading. I came to these 2 verses and I offer them to us today:

“I am as likely to reject my people Israel
    as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”
This is what the Lord says:
“Just as the heavens cannot be measured
    and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored,
so I will not consider casting them away
    for the evil they have done.
    I, the Lord, have spoken!” – Jeremiah 31:36-37

I am awe-struck by God's choice to love humanity despite our failings and shortcomings. I am humbled by the Lord's commitment to me. And Jeremiah makes it sound even more convincing when he argues that God would rather suspend/abolish the laws of nature before he stopped loving us. That is such a beautiful gift for us in the our season of Lent.

What do you make of God's immeasurable love for you?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Love them anyway

Have you ever felt so despondent with people that you are tempted to pack it all in and to stop giving of yourself? If you are nodding your head right now, then you will want to read these words -

“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centred. 

Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. 

Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. 

Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. 

Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. 

Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. 

Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. 

Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. 

Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. 

It was never between you and them anyway."

 

These words are attributed to Mother Teresa. They have been adapted from the original words written by Dr Kent Keith.

If you find them useful please feel free to pass them on and give credit to the original authors.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Grace has ended!

"Your grace period has finished!"
We speak about a period of Grace in certain aspects of life. Businesses offer some grace to customers, while new employees are given a little grace to find their feet in a new job. However, there comes a time when the 'period of Grace' finishes and this can be a scary moment for those on the receiving end. We wonder if this allows us any room for mistakes or genuine errors?

Can you imagine if God acted like this with us? Where would we be if God's grace had a time limit on it? What if God said to us,
"Delme, I am giving you 6 months grace. But, after that time period you need to be perfect! No more mistakes from you!"

Wow, that would be scary wouldn't? Thankfully, he doesn't operate like that and we are given his Unconditional grace and love.

Romans 5:15 - "But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ."

Living in Grace
D3LM3