MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2011
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7
READ
Mercy is one of the most beautiful themes in the Bible as demonstrated in God’s relationship to His people. The Old Testament has a pattern where the people of God repeatedly rebel against God; then they experience travesties because they rejected God; then God repeatedly holds back judgement and demonstrates mercy to them. And God goes far beyond our small concept of mercy. Instead of punishment, He blesses and forgives His people and continues to use and lead them.
Showing mercy itself does not earn one an entrance into the kingdom of God, but rather it is a heart attitude that opens a person to receive the offer of mercy that Jesus has extended to us. Those who show mercy understand the need for mercy for themselves. This verse truly becomes a criticism of the religious establishment of the day, which saw people who ‘sinned’ as unworthy of God’s mercy. Without the ability to show mercy, they could not understand that they needed it themselves. Showing mercy brings an understanding of mercy.
PREPARE
- Praise God for who He is
- Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing
- Allow His Spirit to draw you near
- Listen as He speaks to you
PRAY
- Pray that God helps us to become merciful
- Pray that God shows us how we need mercy in out own lives
TRUST
- Thank God for hearing you
- Trust that God is at work to accomplish His will
FOLLOW
What’s happening around us?
Christian Horizons is a faith-based organization serving nearly 1500 Ontario families whose mission is “to serve the person with exceptional needs.” Christian Horizons has more than 200 residences as well as respite care homes and retreat facilities.
Volunteer in a variety of ways: provide entertainment through music, comedy or drama, offering your skills as a plumber, seamstress, landscaper or beautician, sharing your interests by playing games, going for walks, or going shopping, organizing Special Olympics or other sporting events, becoming a house buddy to an individual and more.
http://www.christian-horizons.org