Do You Need Mercy In Your Life?

Text:

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

16  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Observation:

This week we have talked about God’s love and grace. You can read those by clicking on this link: https://herbcotton.blogspot.com.

Today I want to meditate on God’s mercy. In the Psalms, we see that David felt the deep need in his life for mercy.

Psalm 51:7 (NLT)

7  Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

The grace of God covers the penalty for our sins. But, it is God’s mercy that covers the shame of our sins.

Psalm 51:10 (NLT)

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

I’m so thankful and forever will be so grateful that God’s mercy trumps God’s judgment.

James 2:13 (NLT)

13  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

But, it gets even better. God looks with favor on the one who receives mercy and gives it to others.

Matthew 5:7 (NLT)

7  God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Prayer:

Father God, we come into your presence today, and we exalt your name and give you the glory that only you deserve.

Father, we are so grateful for the loving gift of mercy. Father, we are so glad that your mercy covers the shame of our sins, and frees us to experience the joy of our salvation.

Father, I’m at a loss for words to express our appreciation for the gifts of love, grace, and mercy. So, I look to the Psalmist for help.

Psalm 51:16-17 (NLT)

16  You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.

17  The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Father, we agree with David; we offer the sacrifice that you desire, and we surrender to you our whole heart. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)
10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Read all the Daily Devotionals by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

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How You Can Be Pleasing In God’s Eyes

 

Text:

2 Corinthians 13:11 (HCSB)

11  Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Observation:

I heard a sermon recently that inspired me to look at this focal verse in a very special way.

It spoked to my mission statement, which is “Please God”. Also, my one word goal for this year, which is “Be”.

Here is how this verse presents an outline which is so helpful in pointing me in the direction of meeting my mission statement vision, and meeting my goal for this year. I believe God wants all of His children to be like this.

  1. Be joyful
  2. Be mature
  3. Be encouraged
  4. Be one
  5. Be peaceful
  6. Be blessed

This is the blessing that is received by those who hear and obey the encouragement from the pen of the Apostle Paul.

“The God of love and peace will be with you”. It does not matter what obstacles you may be facing, you are so blessed if you have the God of love and peace living on the inside of you. What more do we need?

Romans 8:31 (HCSB)

31  What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

When God is the source and supplier, what more do we need? What do we lack?

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

19  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Father, hallowed be your most holy and righteous name. Father, I rejoice when I think about the things that I can do; enabled and equipped by the strength of the Lord, in living in a way that would bring you glory, and be pleasing in Your eyes.

Lord, I pray that these truths in today’s focal passage will stir our hearts, and draw us closer to you. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry