Grace & Mercy: Two Sides of the Same Coin

August 20, 2018 91 Comments

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We love to talk about grace but when was the last time you heard someone talk about mercy. Yet, they are two sides of the same coin and mercy needs to be discussed more. Let me explain.

Grace: What Does This Mean?

It is receiving something that we do not deserve. Thus we find it easy to talk about because who doesn’t like to receive a gift that we did not deserve. Grace is God’s favor to us. Think about the last time you received an unexpected gift. How did that make you feel?

God showed us His grace in sending us His Son, Jesus. He did this out of His great love for us and not because we did anything to deserve it. God’s grace is so amazing and is freely given.

Mercy: What Does This Mean?

It is not receiving what we do deserve. For example, someone is stopped for speeding and the officer gives him/her a warning instead of a ticket. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and deserve eternal punishment. (This is a truth that is hard to swallow.)

Therefore, God sent Jesus to show us not only His grace but also His mercy in that Jesus paid the price for our sins. Mercy needs to be talked about more because it is the only way to fully appreciate God’s amazing grace. Think about a time when you did something wrong and were expecting a consequence, yet, you did not receive it. What feelings did you experience?

Why Do We Not Hear More About Mercy?

This is a good question and the reason is that we do not like to admit they we sin and are in need of a savior. I will be honest and say that I have a tough time admitting to my sins against God and others. Yet, when I read God’s Word I find both grace and mercy in confessing to God and to others. (Matthew 6:14-15, James 5:16, 1 John 1:8-9) Then my relationships with God and others are reconciled and I, once again, have peace.

Can you now see the value in discussing mercy? Here’s a link about grace. 5 of My Favorite Bible Verses on Grace

Mercy is the other side of the coin from grace.

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Mercy is not often talked but it goes hand in hand with grace.

Mining 4 Silver

We Have an Obligation, as Believers in Christ.

July 27, 2018 2 Comments

An Obligation to Live according the Spirit of Christ.

An Obligation, What Does That Mean?

There are a few definitions for the word obligation taken from Dicitionary.com,

Something by which a person is bound or obliged to do certain things, and which arise out of a sense of duty or results from custom, law, etc.
Something that is done or is to be done for such reasons: to fulfill one’s obligation.
A binding promise, contract, sense of duty, etc.

So where does this sense of duty or obligation stem from? It comes from Jesus who gave His spirit to live within us. But the obligation is not to our flesh, to live according to our sinful impulses, but to live according to the Spirit within us. (Romans 8:12 AMP)

How Are We to Fulfill This Obligation?

We do so by living by the power of the Holy Spirit and habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body. As we ourselves are led by the Spirit, we are called God’s children. Thus we have received the Spirit of adoption and can call or cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Therefore, we can call unto our Heavenly Father to cause us to follow His Spirit and live accordingly. The mind of the Spirit is life and peace. This peace is a spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God – both now and forever. Our following His Spirit will bring Him glory and draw others to know Him through us.

For you see, if we live by the flesh, living a life that caters to sinful impulses, we cannot please God.

To Whom Are You Obligated?

Now, comes the question, are you obligated to the Spirit or to your sinful nature? For me, my obligation is to live according to the Spirit that Christ has given me. I may not always get it right but I know that He will forgive me and set me straight if I confess and seek His face. All glory is His.

Here is a related link: Adoption: Earthly Compared to Heavenly

As a believer in Christ, where do your obligations lie?

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Life Lessons

Help! Heart Surgery Needed!

October 17, 2016 No Comments

My Heart Needs Surgery!

My goodness! What a long time it has been. This past week God made it quite evident that my heart needed surgery! I was not an example of His love. Life squeezed me like a tube of toothpaste and I did not like what came out of my mouth.

Therefore I had to admit that my thoughts and the words of my mouth were not pleasing to the Lord. Confession is what I had to do and admit that I was often rude and inconsiderate of others. I was lazy and missed opportunities to bless others. Thus I needed God to work on my heart. Consciously, I had to turn my will over to Christ’s care and control.

After all, in Luke chapter 6 verse 45b, it says that for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Apparently, last week my heart was full of the wrong stuff. At church, I surrendered my heart and asked God to forgive me and help me. Thereby, God renewed me and gave me the grace to start anew. In God’s word, He tells me that if I confess that He will forgive and cleanse me from my sins. Not only does He forgive me but He also provides me the strength I need to do better.

Another way of looking at this is to say that my fruit was not pretty. I was not a good example to follow. Yet, I do want to be someone that reflects the love of Christ to others. It is only by the grace and power of God’s spirit in me that I can do this. Hence, I need to spend more time with God both in Word and prayer so that He can transform me. Thankfully, God is a God of second chances.

Help! My Heart Needed Surgery!

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Mining 4 Silver

Creed? What is it and Why Do I Need It?

May 28, 2016 No Comments

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, and the life everlasting.

This is called the Apostles’ Creed because it contains a summary of their teachings. Where I attend worship we say this most every Sunday. At other times we recite the Nicene Creed and on one Sunday out of the church year we recite the Athanasian Creed which is a much more in depth and a long one. I particularly like the Apostles’ because it is a simple statement of faith. Reciting and memorizing it protects one from false teaching. It explains the trinity being God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If you were to attend at my church you would know what we believe without having to ask. There is a certainty here in this statement of faith. The Bible supports this statement.

Why Do I need it?

Because I am a fickle person and my flesh is weak. Without it, I could so easily grow complacent in my faith and lose sight of the fact that I need God. I find reassurance too when it is recited in my church. We all believe the same and worship in spirit and in truth.

Some may question it or call me foolish but that is their opinion. If according to the naysayers, I am wrong then I have nothing to lose but if I am right in my belief, and I know that I am, then I have everything to gain. I would rather err in believing than to die in unbelief. God has in more ways than I can count proven His love to me. This creed is my statement of faith and nothing can change my heart.

If you wish to know more click this link.

³¹So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

This is my statement of faith. What I believe about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

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