Mercy

2 Corinthians 4:1-12,14-18 GNT
God in his mercy has given us this work to do, and so we do not become discouraged.

There is work to be done. What are you being called to do today? Where has the Lord given you a gifting, a passion for serving, a place to nurture others?

[2] We put aside all secret and shameful deeds; we do not act with deceit, nor do we falsify the word of God. In the full light of truth we live in God’s sight and try to commend ourselves to everyone’s good conscience.

We must live a life that even behind closed doors, or when no one is looking, represents the light of truth and following the Character of Jesus.

3] For if the gospel we preach is hidden, it is hidden only from those who are being lost. [4] They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

We can not hold the wisdom of God for ourselves. “This Little Light of Mine”, is a children’s song. Yet the lyrics are relevant no matter the age. We must share Jesus not hide our testimony under a basket.

[5] For it is not ourselves that we preach; we preach Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] The God who said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!” is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Christ.

We must remember it is not our words that save us or others from death, our words are human communication. It is the power of Jesus and His Words of life that save. We must seek Him first to guide our conversations. We are human but He is our Father, Son and Holy Spirit, all knowing, Almighty God!

7] Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us. [8] We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; [9] there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.

Our growing relationship with Jesus is a benefit to our eternal connection and to those we intersect. We must keep our hope in Him even as our lives may feel overwhelming.

10] At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that his life also may be seen in our bodies. [11] Throughout our lives we are always in danger of death for Jesus’ sake, in order that his life may be seen in this mortal body of ours. [12] This means that death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Our human brain can not comprehend love and the infinite presence of Jesus. It is faith without seeing Him physically.We will make mistakes however, we can be made new and have a life that uses our mistakes for better responses by His grace. Repent ( turn away from sin) and start anew.

14] We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus to life, will also raise us up with Jesus and take us, together with you, into his presence. [15] All this is for your sake; and as God’s grace reaches more and more people, they will offer to the glory of God more prayers of thanksgiving.

Do not be discouraged! Our spiritual being is renewed as we cling to Him, believe He is all truth, and trust Him for even our breath.

16] For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day.

Sometimes I can allow troubles to explode into a mountain of distress instead of a mole hill. Go to the Rock, the great wisdom of God. ( Isaiah 2:2) Teens and even adulting can seem overwhelming and impossible. I must remind myself to fix my eyes, heart, mind on Jesus. Reading scripture on the topic of my distress and listening to praise music calms me. The trouble may still exist but my soul within me seems more at peace. He is with me!

17] And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. 18] For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.

We must fix our attention, not on what is before our eyes, but the comfort and wisdom from our connection of Jesus within.

If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior. Today could be the turning point of your life. Call out to Jesus today, say Jesus I need you, I believe You are my Savior, I want You to guide my life, words and actions. I give my life to you, I repent and want Your help to turn from past sins, make me new by Your sacrifice on the cross. Show me more of You. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Colossians 2:18-19 MSG
Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are. They’re completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.

Reason I sing, is a perfect song, Phil Wickham expresses well the importance of praise. Be blessed today, Jesus, is the reason I sing.

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