Mercy - Day 1

So how did you like the format last week? How could it be better? Even little things like the way the printable is laid out....let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

I have a new little something we're going to try. One of the reasons that we're doing this new format is to help moms with different time allotments for their "quiet time." Those that download and print are probably hoping for a few minutes to journal their answers. While others are just happy to have a second to read the verses online and think through the questions as they change a diaper. So I'm going to start marking the time allotments expected with an hourglass rating system. We'll do this in a couple of ways....by putting an image on the post, that indicates between 1 and 4 hourglasses. Most of the time, the daily posts will be a one hourglass. The printed daily sections are more like two...and the Sunday post is probably closer to three.

So, we'll use an image in the posts here, and in the printout. Also, you can find posts by time allotment by looking for that category. You can do that by going to the "categories and archives" at the top:

and then choosing the time allotment from the list:

Ready to talk about God's mercy?

Here is the download if you'd like: Download Mercy

As I sit and write this on a Saturday morning, I’m begging God for mercy in the life of my cousin, David – one of my favorite people. He is currently a grad student at Duke University, to be a physical therapist. But this weekend, while home in Arizona, he had a terrible swimming accident, had to be revived, and is now in the hospital with a broken neck.

I’ve been thinking about God’s mercy all this week and marveling at God’s character. I know that God is having mercy on David. Sometimes we don’t see God’s mercy because it isn’t coming out in the way that we think is best. But God loves David more than anyone and know what David needs in his life.

We’ve been talking a lot about mercy around my house this week. Most of it has stemmed from conversations, grumblings, and fights among my boys. As they are wanting to make fun of someone for whatever they think is “wrong” with them, we’ve been talking about how it is only by God’s mercy that they don’t have the same problem.

We’ve discussed how each of those precious people they want to mock have a story. They’ve had turmoil in their family, less than ideal living conditions, physical issues that cause social issues. There is always a reason – and really nothing to make fun of.

One of our biggest learning experiences this week has been going to the apartment complexes where my husband and I are going to start a small group this fall. We went to pass out flyers for our upcoming church community day and just try to meet some people. Before the night was over, one of my boys had been “beat up” by another kid for crossing a line he didn’t know existed. Another one of my boys was then cussed out by another kid for standing up for his brother.

My kids left that night, determined they were never going back to “that place” again – which will be a little tricky if it is where their parents have been called to minister. There was a lot of talk on the way home about “that place” and “those people” that live there, etc.

I was challenged right then as a parent. I need to have mercy on my kids, who have just been through an ordeal. But I also need to explain to them the mercy that Christ has had on us.

· “Those people” in “that place” simply need Jesus. Sometimes we don’t realize how much of a difference Jesus has made in our lives, until we are again brought face to face with those who don’t have Him.

· “Those people” in “that place” are there because life has been really hard on them, and the only reason we aren’t right there too is because of God’s mercy.

I’m praying this passage for my family right now:

Romans 1:1-9a

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ²Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." ⁴For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

⁵May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, ⁶so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁷Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs ⁹so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy…”

I want my family to be servants to those who are week and have not yet embraced the mercy of God. It is our hope, that through our mercy, they will see God’s mercy and fall in love with Him.

There is plenty in my life that others could mock or make fun of if they wanted to. My kids are frequently out of control in public. I frequently lose my mascara and look half put together. We’re always broke. I usually having something stuck in my teeth. I’m completely clueless when it comes to any high class social situation. I’m sure I break every rule. I can’t afford the latest fashions, and am not sure I often even know what they are. I refuse to let go of my flip phone. I battle chemical imbalances. We’re definitely middle age and are nowhere close to ever owning a home. I somehow manage to continually lock myself out of the house. I could go on.

There are also other things that others envy:

I’ve been only been married once - for fourteen years and have four children, by the same husband, all post marriage.

I’ve known Jesus since I was a child and have avoided many tragedies of life. I can’t remember not loving him.

I’ve never experienced the tragedies of alcohol or drugs in my own life or in my marriage.

My parents and my in-laws are still married, 38 and 55 years respectively.

You know what I’ve contributed to making these things happen? Nothing! It is by God’s mercy. Yes, I’ve remained committed in my marriage, but it is by God’s mercy that Bill has never left me. It is by God’s mercy that I was pure coming into marriage. It is by God’s mercy that He won my heart at an early age. It is by His mercy that my husband and I haven’t fallen into addictions. It is by God’s mercy that He has held our families together. It is His mercy that makes all things happen – for “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Do you see that in your life? Do you see that the reason you may have gifts, abilities, mental capacities, health, homes, cars, children, etc., etc., etc. is purely God’s mercy? Or have you fallen into the trap of thinking you’ve built it all on your own? That is could somehow be by your savvy and wisdom that you’ve planned and done things right and achieved things that others less wise and savvy than you have not achieved?

There is a dangerous line between the striving for wise living and feeling it is by our wisdom we have achieved.

If we are smart, it is because of God’s mercy.

If we are healthy, it is because of God’s mercy.

If we are emotionally stable, it is because of God’s mercy.

If we have been spared life-altering tragedies, it is because of God’s mercy.

If we belong to Christ…if we have His peace in our hearts, and His Spirit to guide us, it is because of God’s mercy.

If we own anything worth bragging about, it is because of God’s mercy.

It is all because of Him.

It is simply our choice to acknowledge it or walk around like fools thinking we are the reason for our achievements. It is our choice to acknowledge that anyone around us struggling in any way we aren’t, is in need of mercy – mercy that we are called to extend to others because we belong to God.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

¹²I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. ¹³Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

· How has God shown me mercy?

· Why has God shown me mercy?

· How can I extend that mercy to others?