Time Out! Devotions

This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13b

It was reported in Isaac Asimov’s Book of Facts that following the Civil War, Jefferson Davis was captured and indicted for treason. Though many Northerners called for Davis’ execution, one group petitioned for his release. The group? The former slaves from Davis’ cotton plantation. Following a two-year imprisonment, Davis was freed, having avoided a trial.

In the above anecdote from the Civil War era, we see both grace and mercy at work on Davis’ behalf, being extended by his former slaves. A basic explanation of the concepts of mercy and grace is as follows: Grace is receiving something beneficial that we don’t deserve and mercy is not receiving some negative consequence for what we do deserve.

Whether these former slaves were followers of Christ or not, they demonstrated the same kind of mercy and grace that God has displayed toward us through Christ Jesus – and the same kind of grace that we are to extend to others.

Through our own sin, we deserve the wrath of God. Through the mercy and grace demonstrated on our behalf through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have been forgiven and freed from the penalty of sin – and beyond that – we have received the great blessings of being adopted into the family of God. In return, God asks us to extend mercy and grace to others (see Matthew 6:14-15) As Christians, we talk a lot about the concepts of mercy and grace. But, the truth of the matter is that we show whether or not we really understand mercy and grace through our lives. The bottom line is this: Do we extend mercy and grace to others? If not, according to Jesus, we really don’t get it.

Has someone mistreated you? Have you suffered injustice from someone or some institution in our society? If so, I urge you – as difficult as it may be – extend God’s mercy and grace: forgive even as the Lord has forgiven you.

FURTHER READING :
Matthew 6:14-15; Luke 17:4; Ephesians 1:1-8; 2:4-5

Jim Liebelt is the Senior Editor of Publications at HomeWord

(from – http://bible.christianity.com/devotionals/homeword/11577763/)

Have a great day and God bless!

Psalm 12:5
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord.

Something is terribly wrong in our world. Some of God’s children are ill-fed, homeless, diseased, and abused. Many people do not know the comforts of a home, nor the security of a free state. Who will care for these lowly children of God?

The Bible says that the Lord will rise up in behalf of these people, but it also says that He will do so through His servants and followers. That means that God will provide for His poorer children through the grace of His richer ones. We are called to give from our blessed abundance, that others less fortunate might live. This is not an option for Christians, but a basic mandate upon which our faith is built. We are the hands, the feet, the eyes, and the voice of the Lord. Let us serve Him well.

Prayer:

“Use me as You will, O Lord. Make me an instrument of Thy glory and will. Send the power of Your Spirit into the world through m e. Amen.”

Would you like your own copy of this devotional?

(from – http://bible.christianity.com/devotionals/wisdom/552114/)

“Jesus will keep you strong until the end so that there will be no wrong in you on the day our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” (1 Corinthians 1:8)

God is not finished with you yet. Oh, you may think He is. You may think you’ve peaked. You may think He’s got someone else to do the job.

If so, think again.

“God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure He will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again” (Philippians 1:6).

Did you see what God is doing? A good work in you.

Did you see when He will be finished? When Jesus comes again.

May I spell out the message? God ain’t finished with you yet.

(from When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado)

There are many people in this world that wish they would never go through
any trials or tribulations and wish life was just a breeze and a delight.
Thankfully, God in His infinite wisdom knows that for us to have character
and development in life, we must go through certain situations to be
strengthened and equipped to continue through life in a successful way just
as God wishes. If you are going through tough times in life, be encouraged
and know that God is simply strengthening and equipping you for something
far greater than these temporary pains that are necessary for your growth
and development.

I hope you are encouraged by today’s message.

THE REEF

Don’t worry if you have problems!

Which is easy to say until you are in the midst of a really big one, I
know. But the only people I am aware of who don’t have troubles are
gathered in little neighborhoods. Most communities have at least one. We
call them cemeteries. If you’re breathing, you have difficulties. It’s the
way of life. And believe it or not, most of your problems may actually be
good for you! Let me explain.

Maybe you have seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles
from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view
the reef.

On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. “I notice that
the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side
is vibrant and colorful,” a traveler observed. “Why is this?”

The guide gave an interesting answer: “The coral around the lagoon side is
in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The
coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms
– surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As
it is challenged and tested, it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It
grows strong. And it reproduces.” Then he added this telling note: “That’s
the way it is with every living organism.”

That is how it is with people! Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like
coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow
stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and
resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness.

So, you have problems — no problem! Just tell yourself, “There I grow again!”

Author Unknown

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

James 1:2-5 “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way,
let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your
endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance
is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask Him,
and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on
your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct
your paths. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the
Lord and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and
vitality.”

Psalm 90:12-16 “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow
in wisdom. O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on
your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, so we
may sing for Joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion
to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. Let us see your
miracles again; let our children see your glory at work.”

Psalm 118:5-9 “In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered
me and rescued me. The Lord is for me, so I will not be afraid. What can
mere mortals do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; He will help me. I will
look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to trust the Lord than
to put confidence in people. It is better to trust the Lord than to put
confidence in princes.”

In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry