Accept God's Mercy

God's Word shows his mercy for everyone.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.  

 

16 But 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.

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV
 

This Bible verse that I have chosen for today has come via another track of thought.  I was compelled to read the whole chapter and preferred to ponder a little more on this portion of 1 Timothy chapter 1.  I think it is of a timely nature to be brought to this spectacular set of words.  We are so close to Resurrection Sunday or Easter as some call it.  Whatever the case may be, I think we Christians understand that Jesus did a wonderful thing for us all.

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  This means, for those who do not fully understand or know, that none of us are perfect.  We do bad things.  We might not want to be bad.  We might not understand that we are bad, but we have the tendency to do or think bad things.

Does that mean that God doesn't love us?  No.  He is merciful.  He's forgiving.  God is slow at getting angry, just like a loving, patient father would.  

We can get close to the God.

Lest you, my wonderful readers, think that I think I am better than anyone else, I am here to tell you that I am like Paul.  I am the worst of sinners.  I have bad thoughts.  I don't act on them, but I can think just as badly as the worst of people.  Am I to be condemned?

God is willing to forgive our sin.

No.  Paul (who's traveled everywhere to speak about Jesus) tells Timothy, his young helper, that Jesus showed mercy to Paul.  Paul is an example of Jesus' patience.  Look, if Jesus could forgive Paul for persecuting or treating the early Christians so horribly, it is possible for you and me to be forgiven of our worse sins.  Isn't that comforting?

Jesus made it possible for us to live with God, the Father.  

If God shows his love for Paul and me, in that He has chosen to forgive us, that should give everyone hope.  I pray that you, my readers, understand that God's love is so deep and wide.  We must understand that God wants us to trust Him.  He wants us to have eternal (forever) life with Him.  Isn't that awesome?!

My readers, are any of you wondering if you are good enough for God's love?  Do you feel that you have sinned too much?  No.  My friends, please turn to Him today and confess your sin to Him in prayer.  Then, accept His mercy.

God loves you so much.

God wants you to turn away from your sin.  

He wants you to live with Him. 

I pray that God gives you all, my beloveds, His wisdom and peace. 

This has been an entry for the Spiritual Sundays series.  Please think on this message as we near Resurrection Sunday and/or Easter.

To compile this mini- bible study, I visited: http://www.biblestudytools.com/

Keep & Share The Ten Commandments

God's word is to be read and shared.

 

Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created man on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of ?

--Deuteronomy 4:32

The above verse is a teaser of sorts.  I have taken this special verse from Deuteronomy 4.  I felt compelled to read through the whole chapter because I had forgotten why I had included this Bible verse in a list that I created many years ago.  The list I had created featured special Bible verses.  These verses explained why I was teaching my children and what they must learn.

In the chapter, Moses was talking to the Hebrews who had come out of Egypt.  They had suffered much oppression, but God had delivered the people out of the rule of the Pharaoh.  Moses was reminding them about all that God had done for them.  He was also telling them about the promises that God had for them.  More importantly Moses admonished the people to listen and obey the rules that he was putting forth to them.

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

--Deuteronomy 4:9 

I love that Moses advised the people to do an oral history of what they had witnessed.  What had the people seen?  Because we have the Bible, we know.  Among the many miracles, they saw water turn to blood and the locusts overrun Egypt.  They were able to share with their children how awesome their God was.

And the LORD directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

--Deuteronomy 4:14

We know that the laws did not come from Moses.  No.  The Lord, God, was the author.  The law included what the people were supposed to follow.  Those were the ten commandments.  The important thing to understand was that it was part of a package deal.

Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden.  For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

--Deuteronomy 4:23-4

IMPORTANT:

A covenant is an agreement between two parties, in which certain behavior will or will not be allowed.

The chapter goes on to explain what will happen if the people were to make an idol.  Verses 26-28 explain that destruction will happen to those who anger the Lord.  For the people not to keep the commandments would cause them to be scattered, and they would end up praying to dumb idols that would do nothing for them.  Verses 29-31, though,  explain the mercy of God if they turn from idol worship.  If the people turned back to God with their hearts, God would forgive them, keeping the agreement (covenant) that He had formed with the people.

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.  Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.

--Deuteronomy 4:39-40 

  

In closing, I encourage everyone to read the entire chapter 4 of Deuteronomy.  It's easy.  Just click here.  I think it is a perfect word for this season.  With Easter (or Resurrection Day) coming up, we need to be reminded of God's love and mercy for us, especially the requirements He has laid out for us in His covenant (agreement) with us, who have been adopted into the heirship of His chosen (Galatians 3:29).

How about you, my readers?  Are you keeping the ten commandments?  Have you shared the ten commandments with the children in your life?  I hope you take some time today to consider these questions.  It just might make a difference in the lives of your family members and yourselves, as well.

This has been an entry for Spiritual Sundays.  I hope you enjoyed it.

To compile this mini- bible study, I visited: http://www.biblestudytools.com/