mercy

Check the Label

Scripture Focus: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” — James 3:17 I read labels. Not every label, mind you. There are only so many minutes in a human life, and I don’t…
A Change of Raiment

Scripture Focus: “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” — Zechariah 3:4 Most of us have things hanging in the closets of our past that we would never choose to wear again. Some memories are easier to live with than others. We can…
Where Mercy Finds Us

Scripture Focus: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16 There are places in every life where we would much rather God meet us somewhere else. Meet us after we have gotten ourselves together. Meet us…
Until Hearts Are Ready

Isaiah 30:18 “And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” For years, I assumed this verse was primarily about my waiting…
The Fragrance of Our Influence

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour…” — Ecclesiastes 10:1 I have always found this to be one of the most vivid illustrations in Scripture. An apothecary would carefully blend fragrant oils and costly spices into a beautiful perfume. Every ingredient was chosen with care, yet it only…
The Illusion of Independence

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:28) We spend much of our lives making plans, solving problems, and managing responsibilities. It’s easy to begin thinking we’re carrying more of life than we actually are.…
Take It In, Breathe It Out

Scripture Focus: “The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” — Job 33:4 It’s easy to move through a day without ever thinking about something as simple as breathing. It just happens—quietly, steadily, without effort, announcement, or applause. We don’t schedule it. We don’t earn it.…
Holding On Through the Storms

Scripture Focus: “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it…” —Song of Solomon 8:7 Real love is not a paper umbrella in a thunderstorm. It’s not the kind of thing that collapses the moment the wind picks up or life starts throwing sideways rain. Scripture describes true love as something stronger than…
Spiritual Baggage and Generational Patterns

Scripture Focus: “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep…
Where Mercy and Truth Meet

Scripture Focus: Psalm 85:10–11 “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” If Psalm 85:10–11 were a recipe, it would have some of the richest ingredients a soul could live on: mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace.…