How Resolute Is God's Gift of Mercy?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, and whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” I memorized this verse as a child, for it’s a proclamation of God’s unquestionable love and his gift of mercy.

Imagine a father playing games with his children and letting them win. His love and mercy for his children build a strong relationship that will endure for whatever life presents. No one is above the need for God’s gift of mercy.

We are all subject to straying from God’s mercy and love by becoming obsessed with what life offers, but God does not let go of us. Psalm 85 declares, “Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace will embrace. Mankind’s need for mercy will reach up to God from the earth, and God’s righteousness will be extended from heaven to comfort his people.” Praise God for his kindness, goodness, and love!          

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Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.

~Psalm 40:11 New International Version

 

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

~Proverbs 28:13 New International Version

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What Causes Generosity to Fail?

I recently observed a confrontation between two adults over a parking space at a medical complex. Both drivers had been waiting for the occupant to vacate the space. The one who deserved the space took possession, but the other person became angry and threatened violence with insulting words and gestures.

The issue ceased to be needing a parking place but transformed into defending one’s personal rights and being threatened by another person’s outrage. As the issue became distorted in this emotional environment, the ability to think rationally evaporated, which opened the door for displaced aggression.

I wonder what the outcome would have been if the one who was in the right had generously given the space to the other person. Remember these words of generosity? “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son and whoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life.” God’s blessings and personal satisfaction come from being generous.

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This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others! If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? My children, our love should not be just in words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.

~1 John 3:16-18 Good News Bible

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How Can the Christ of Christmas Change Your Life?

What significant events have you experienced that changed the direction of your life? In some ways that question may be difficult simply because becoming a Christian is a life-changing event. To this we can say, “Thank you, Jesus, for saving and redeeming us for all eternity.”

Celebrating Christmas is rarely a life-changing event but rather an occasion for hearing wonderful music and stories of God’s wonders. Visiting with relatives and eating delicious food are reminders of God’s gracious gifts. Yet, it is the reality of God so loving us that he sent Jesus to draw us near to himself that is the wonder of it all. Have a merry Christmas and God bless you. 

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Stand up! Shine! The glory of the Lord shines brightly on you. The earth and its people are covered with darkness, but the glory of the Lord is shining upon you.

~Isaiah 60:1-2 Contemporary English Version

 

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that it is the brightness of his glory that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

~2 Corinthians 4:6 The Living Bible

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week. 

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From Thursday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs have been posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

Faith's Priority ~ Everlasting Father

The majority of human beings have a list of priorities that guide their lives. What has influenced your list of priorities that guide you through the Christmas holidays? It is so easy to be pressured into believing gift-giving is more important than our relationships with those to whom the gifts will be given. We should not believe or accept that – but just listen those TV commercials!

What can we discover about faith’s priorities that intend to keep joy and God’s everlasting love in all activities, that ring out the Good News that Jesus has come to be Savior, Redeemer and Everlasting Father? We demonstrate faith’s priority when we emphasize God so loved us, He gave His ultimate best to save us. Merry Christmas! 

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called … Everlasting Father...

~Isaiah 9:6 New International Version

You will conceive and have a son, and you will call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the most high God. And the Lord will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. He and His kingdom will never end.

~Luke 1:31-33 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

~John 3:16 New King James Version

And be sure of this – that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

~Matthew 28:20 The Living Bible