Minutes of Mercy

If nobody thanked me, if nobody noticed, if nobody patted me on the back, or posted about it. Would I still do what I do with the same passion? Real charity doesn’t need the spotlight, because it says this.. If Christ gets the glory, that is enough. Often the purest forms of love are the unseen acts. We know that while they may not be recognized here… God always takes notice and that is enough! Does your “love” vaunt itself? Is it puffed up?

Envy divides. Love celebrates. We must look to the most perfect example of love, the Lord Jesus Christ, for our example in this. He who is worthy of everything “made Himself of no reputation.” Let’s not make the mistake of envying what God is doing in someone else’s life because we’ve made ourselves of some sort of reputation, thinking we’re more deserving. Am I doing more competing or loving?

Kind love is active. It does not wait, pick and choose, or seek convenience. This type of love seeks out opportunities to do good on behalf of somebody else. This love is perfectly shown to us by Christ. Kindness is not weakness, it is Christlikeness! Let’s actively look for opportunities to serve, encourage and lift others up! May our love be Kind!

Jesus is the perfect example of what this type of love looks like. He exemplified it in His time on earth, He shows it to us today, and we have a call to reflect the same type of love type of love to others in our lives. If Jesus was as patient with me as I am with others, what would that look like?

This episode sets the stage for our next few week series, “Love, The More Excellent Way” No matter how gifted, spiritual, or even sacrificial we may be, without love it is worth nothing.

For 38 years he had laid by the pool. Wishing for the day he could be the first to the water so he could be healed. One encounter with Christ changed it all! The length of your struggle does not lessen the attention of the Saviour!

Labeled and rejected by his own people, Jesus saw him not for where he was or who he was, but what he could do for God’s glory. How tragic it would be to miss the call of Christ because we allow the voices of others to be louder.

The crowd of this world will make us feel like we’re not important enough. I’m thankful that Jesus does not measure our worthiness or our usefulness by “status” The same ones the crowd pushes to the side, Jesus invites close!

The account of the Widow of Nain shows us that even when our deepest grief blinds us from noticing Christ’s presence, that doesn’t stop Him from looking for us! In the midst of our hopeless situations, Christ sees us, moves toward us with compassion, and speaks life!

In Matthew 14 while others chose the safety of the boat, Peter stepped out in faith and experienced the miraculous. The crowd will always remember us for our faltering but this account shows us a great truth. That even faith that falters gets caught and restored!

She’s tossed into the middle of a crowd, looked at as nothing but a case and an issue. By the end, their words fall silent and stones fall from their hands when Jesus exposes them for who they are. There stands only Jesus and her. Christ displays mercy, grace, and sends her out with a story to tell!

Peter and John have left the empty tomb leaving Mary Magdalene standing alone in grief and unanswered questions. Refusing to walk away, Jesus meets her in her tears. Although she doesn’t recognize Him at first, everything changes when He calls her by name! Her personal encounter turned into a public testimony of the Risen Lord!

Ashamed and avoiding the crowd she came to the well to draw water alone. One personal encounter with Jesus, He uncovered her story, met her need, and transformed her mess into a testimony that still rings today! “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”- Jn. 4:29

When the crowd has crowded you out and life is chaotic, Jesus still sees, hears and responds. No one who comes to Him in faith is ever lost in the crowd!

Surrounded by a noisy crowd, Jesus took time to stop for one blind beggar who cried out for mercy and asked for healing. The crowd tried to quiet him, but Jesus stopped for him, called him near and took care of him. Take heart today that in the midst of this crowded, noisy world, Jesus takes time out for our cries and our needs.

It’s so easy today to feel like just another face in the crowd. Through Scripture though we clearly see God’s heart for the individual and their needs. Even in the large crowds, Jesus would take time to stop for the individual who had a great desire for Him. Today we see that Jesus notices who others ignore. In the midst of a large crowd, Jesus knew where Zacchaeus was, knew his name, brought Himself near, and took care of his greatest need!

Sometimes our highest view of God and best lessons learned are at the bottom! You can recall hope even at rock bottom!

When we live for the approval of others, we give up being the servant of Christ that we are called to be! May we all determine that our lives will be lived for God!

Psalm 45:8 paints a beautiful picture of the King whose garments carry the fragrance of myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Fragrances that remind us of His sacrifice and healing! Wherever the King is, His presence is unmistakable. His work leaves a mark on every life it touches!

When God’s promises seem distant, delayed, or even like they’re not going to come true, we’re reminded by Jeremiah to look to Jesus! The greatest promise that was kept perfectly gives us the confidence that all others will be as well!

This life will take its toll and wear us out on the outside in a variety of ways. Our God though does His greatest work on the inside! Don’t quit, be renewed day by day!

God is not just working something better than you would have, He’s doing something greater than you could even imagine!

Christ my hiding place from sin, satan, sorrow, death and judgement! Sin’s guilt is gone, satan’s power broken, sorrow comforted, death defeated and judgement satisfied!

The best thing (God’s law) in the best place (in the heart) yields the best results (none of his steps shall slide)

Move forward in faith. It’s a God thing to make the walls fall!

Trouble is the occasion, prayer is the response, deliverance is the promise and glory to God alone is the result!

When what I presently see or feel does not match what I had planned out, I can trust Jesus!

Boldness rooted in righteousness!

Christ is enough in ALL things!

From He will be (future hope) to He IS! (Present Assurance)

This is how I feel, but this is what I know!

Healing starts where honesty begins.