Today we are a week closer to the cross of Christ having meditated on the Grace and Mercy of God and the benefits of knowing our Savior. This psalm seemed to capture where we have been and our thankfulness to Jesus.
Psalm 40:1-5 “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for lifting me out of sin and setting me on solid ground Thank you for the new song in my heart and giving me a testimony that will reflect your work in my life. Thank you for all the wonders you have done for me. Thank you for Jesus. Amen.
Have a blessed Sunday worshiping our Lord.
Linda
Today I am staggered by the thought that God loved me so much that He sent Jesus to die for my sins to redeem me, save me, to keep me wholly secure for eternity. What about that did I deserve? Nothing. I can never do enough or be good enough to earn this favor from God. I have to accept it as a gift from God. When you think on the grace of God and His mercy to us- it seems beyond comprehension. Psalm 84:11 seeks to explain God’s attitude of grace towards us. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” My walk is definitely not blameless. The only way this fits me is through my faith in the cleansing power of Jesus. My faith in Him gives me the ability to appear before God as blameless in His sight. As I consider God’s grace and mercy towards me, I don’t understand it but I am so grateful. 1 Peter 5:10 “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” I desire to be strong, firm and steadfast in my Christian walk and through God’s grace and mercy Jesus is there to lead me and bring me through this life, the suffering for a little while, into His glory. Thank you Jesus.
Today I was meditating on God’s Mercy. David reminded of my need to confess before God. “I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5 Solomon wisely warned. “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 
Thankful for His great mercy towards me,
Those thoughts against others, of wrongs done to you, lost opportunities, soured relationships and in general the hard things of life that can make us bitter. It would seem that author of Hebrews is saying it is a choice and is encouraging us to live with an awareness of what bitterness can do to us and to those around us if we allow it to fester and grow. It can deprive us of the grace of God as well as others. It can pollute the atmosphere around us and cause others to be bitter. So today I will consciously choose to be tenderhearted as described in Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility , meekness and patience.” I will choose to leave bitterness behind today. Join me in leaving bitterness behind and walk with forgiveness in your heart through the Grace of God trusting Him to erase the hurt and fill it with love.
Linda
Are you willing to look within yourself and examine your motives and feelings? Jesus asked those who gathered to stone the woman caught in adultery, to think about their own sins and if they found they were without sin to cast the first stone. After reflection they all turned away and Jesus was left with alone with the woman. He told her to go and leave her life of sin. (John 8:7-11) Jesus turned their judgmental hearts by having them examine their own hearts and look at their own sin. While standing in judgement over the woman, they realized they were guilty too and needed to turn away from judgement.
ive to do good works in your name. Amen.
Seeking to reflect God’s love to others,
Fearless Living 