Micah 7:18 says, Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

God’s mercy is given with delight! Don’t you love the picture this verse paints? He is happy to be merciful.

For several weeks, the Lord has allowed a three-word-command to linger in my mind. At various times of day and night, a phrase has come to the forefront of my thought. Over and over and over, I hear Jesus speaking this into my heart. It is a personal command, but I am confused…

I keep hearing, “GIVE THEM MERCY.”

“What am I to do with this, Lord? I asked. “What does it mean?” Then I keep hearing, ” GIVE THEM MERCY.”

My thoughts…”GIVE them mercy.” Am I not giving enough? To whom do I GIVE, Lord?

Give THEM mercy. THEM, who? Everyone? I do try to do that, Lord. Have I not given THEM something I should’ve?

Give them MERCY. I do, Lord. I donate. I try to give my time. I listen to others, though I can do better. Am I not MERCIFUL enough?

The Lord’s reply was to keep that phrase on my heart and in my head all day every day.

Keeping His words in our hearts so they guide our actions…THAT IS the answer, to have mercy ready to be applied to anyone, any time of day, for any opportunity that the Lord sends our way.

We only have a God-appointed number of days to give mercy, mercy like Jesus gave us. I needed his guidance to understand the importance of mercy.

You never know when someone may need your compassion, your friendliness, your financial help, your forgiveness, your listening ear, your guidance, etc.

Mercy comes in many forms, but to me, Mercy says… You matter to me and I am here to love you, no matter what.

Dear Father, Thank you for putting that phrase in my head. You have given me mercy many times over, for my sins. Thank you for loving me despite my human flaws and showing me that I need to do the same for others. We are all flawed but we have a perfect Savior. That doesn’t compute to me but it is a blessed thing! Please help me to be more loving, attentive and supportive of others who need it. I ask this in your beautiful name that I love. Amen

With love from the Father to you, have a beautiful day!

Tina

 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:13-15

Today is a poetry day! One of the most precious topics to “poet” on is children. A little one’s faith in Jesus is so beautiful to see, isn’t it? I love to hear the sweet, innocent voices of children when they sing Jesus songs. It touches me, reminds me of how we all should be, as children, fully trusting and obeying our Father and willing to sing about Him at any moment!

His Small Servants

Don’t discount our small amount. We’re fully filled with Jesus.

Though we’re small, we’re standing tall and know that God still sees us.

He has plans, we understand, and to be used will please us.

Though small we be, His servants be, we know that God can use us.

Dear Father, thank you for another day to praise you! Sometimes I feel inadequate to do so because I am so imperfect, but thank you for loving me and hearing my praise. Please help me to keep my words, actions, motives, thoughts and desires centered on you. I ask this in your beautiful name. Amen.

With love from the Father to you, have a wonderful day! Feel free to belt out a song of praise at any moment. As His children, let’s sing about Him! Jesus loves to hear our hearts coming out in a song:)

Tina

Copyright 2023 Christina Crute

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? Psalm 113: 4-6 NIV

The verses above are some of my favorites because they describe God’s high and holy throned position. He is a holy God, yet, He stoops down to US? Yes, our throned God, who is above all, has to bend down, even to look on heaven and earth. In my mind, I see a loving God who wants a close look, so He bends down and gets involved. That is who He is! God is a hands-on God. His hands are not just holy, but they are actively helpful.

In Psalms 113:7-8, we read, “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needs from the ash heap.” He even gets His hands dirty! He loves the poor and needy and goes to great lengths to help them. We are all poor and needy in ways, but we have a loving God who is willing to come to us, meeting us in our pain, trials and messy circumstances even though we are SO beneath Him. And He does this why?

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 NIV

Our holy God loves us. His Holy hands take ours. What a great God we serve! The whole 41st chapter of Isaiah is about God’s care of Israel, a picture of what He promises to all of us, His loving protection. Isn’t He awesome?!

Spiritual food for thought this week… Do we (Do I) get my hands dirty? Am I willing to do that? Do I “stoop down” or look intently around, to see who needs help? Are my hands only serving me and not others?

Dear Lord,

Your holiness on high is a wonderful thing for us to think on, especially when we think of how far You are willing to go to help us, even holding our hand with your holy one. Please help us to use our hands for reaching however far we need to, to help others, even if our hands get messy. Thank you for sending Your Son, whose hands and body took our punishment. We ask these things in your name, to honor you. Amen

With love from our Father to you, have a great week!

Tina