emphasis on grace

7/28/2019 Emphasis on Grace

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Sufficiency of GraceAPRIL 1

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 12:1-9Key Verse: 9- And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is

made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Key Words: My grace is sufficient

Grace is defined as Gods unmerited favor. My definition of grace is God givingus what we do not deserve; but as you can see from our Bible reading, grace is notgiving us what we want but rather, God is giving us what we need. That should besufficient enough.

Respirators are machines that do the breathing for you. If you are laid down onthe hospital bed and there is a problem with your breathing, they put you on arespirator. If you insist on breathing on your own, the respirator does you no good.Theres only one thing you can do with the respirator cooperate. Now, you areinvolved because its your lungs going up and down. Its your mouth and nose thatare taking in and expelling the oxygen. The two of you are working together but therespirator is doing the work; you are just cooperating with it rather than resisting it.

Christ wants to express His life through you and be your respirator. He does not

want you being your own respirator because then you dont need Him. He doesntwant to do it apart from you, so you must cooperate. You must yield yourself to theperson of Christ. We have too many Christians today hyperventilating the spirituallife.

What to do: Live by Gods grace for that really is sufficient enough.

For It Is GodAPRIL 2

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-13

Key Verse: 13- For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his goodpleasure.

Key Words: For it is God

Remember, grace is God giving us what we do not deserve, and we certainly donot deserve a close relationship with Him. We have that only by His grace, not ourself-efforts.


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If you take a poker and put it in a fireplace with the fire raging, the poker is justin the fire. But if you leave it in the fire, the fire gets in the poker. If the poker is left inthe fire for any length of time, the environment of the fire will rub off on the poker sothat it will become red-hot. It wont be red-hot because it said, Let me be hot today,because it is in a hot mood, or because it stresses and strains to make itself red-hot.

It becomes red-hot because of where it hangs out. Not only does the poker get hotbecause the fire is hot, but if it is taken out of the fire and gets near something, it willburn that something not because of the power of the poker but because of therelationship of the poker to the fire. Because the poker was in the fire and the firegot in the poker, everything else is going to be set aflame.

If Christians are touching stuff and nothings burning, nothings changing, andthere is no victory, it is because they do not understand that red-hot power does notcome through effort but through relationship.

Gods goal is Christlikeness, that is, being conformed to the character of Christ.Christlikeness simply means emulating who Christ is, not because youre stressingand straining, but because Christ is in you.

What to do: Remember, your strength is not in what you do but in what God has

done and is doing.

Grace Be to YouAPRIL 3

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:1-12Key Verse: 2-Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord

Jesus Christ.

Key Words: Grace be to you

As you read Ephesians 1 you find that grace is just the beginning. We read inverse 3, Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessedus with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. As one writer has said,

Grace comes with everything included.Let me explain.Some purchases come with extras that have to be purchased. A new car is a

sizable investment in and of itself; but there is always a long list of additionalpurchases that can be added on to enhance the new car and increase its price.There is the base price and then theres the price that includes all the extras. This isthe case unless the car is considered top of the line.


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Many toys purchased for children during the Christmas season indicate on thebox that batteries are not included and must be purchased separately. The toy isnow accessible but doesnt include power. What good is a toy that needs a battery?

Grace is different. Grace comes with everything included. God says thateverything Hes ever going to do for you Hes already done. Grace is also all-

inclusive.

What to do: Gods grace is everything you need; apply it.

Second ChancesAPRIL 4

Bible Reading: John 4:1-30Key Verse: 29-Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this

the Christ?

Key Words: Come, see a man

Here we see the Samaritan woman rejected by her peers, an adulteress, notdeserving of grace (but who is) given a second chance in life because of Godsgrace.

In football, basketball, and most sports, there is a halftime. Halftime is anextended break in the middle of a game so that the players can get themselves

together. This is also a time for a coach to call in a struggling team, acknowledge theteams performance, and encourage them to do a better job in the second half.The beauty of halftime is that there is a whole second half in which a team can

turn things around. Halftime acts as a grace period. No matter how messed up thefirst half might have been, the second half provides an opportunity to make thingsright. For many Christians, they have had a bad first half of play in the Christian life.The good news is that God gives halftimes where He calls our attention to ourstruggles and then sends encouragement to do a good job in the second half. He

gives us an opportunity to get ourselves together, to focus, and to do a better jobthan we did on the front end.

What to do: Thank God that He is a God of second chances.


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An Example of Gods GraceAPRIL 5

Bible Reading: Ezra 9:1-8Key Verse: 8-And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our

God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that

our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.Key Words: grace hath been shewed from the LORD

Ezra had led a group of Israelites from Babylon back to Jerusalem. Ezras responseto their arrival back in Jerusalem was And now for a little space grace hath beenshewed from the Lord. As you read Ezra 9 and hear the prayer of Ezra, its clear tosee that Ezra understood that God was giving them what they did not deserve.

The following story is a good example of Gods grace:Years ago, my father coached a team of eight-year-olds. He had a few excellent

players, and some who just couldnt get the hang of the game. Dads team didnt winonce all season. But in the last inning of the last game, his team was only down by arun. There was one boy who had never been able to hit the ballor catch it. Withtwo outs, it was his turn to bat. He surprised the world and got a single!The next batter was the team slugger. Finally, Dads players might win a game. The

slugger connected, and as the boy who hit the single ran to second, he saw the ballcoming toward him. Not so certain of baseballs rules, he caught it. Final out! Dadsteam lost!

Quickly, my father told his team to cheer. The boy beamed. It never occurred tohim that he lost the game. All he knew was he had hit the ball and caught itbothfor the first time. His parents later thanked my dad. Their child had never evengotten in a game before that season. We never told the boy exactly what happened.We didnt want to ruin it for him. And till this day, Im proud of what my father did that

afternoon.Grace: God giving us what we do not deserve.

What to do: Understand that none of us are perfect but we are all under grace.


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You Have Practiced Grace on MeAPRIL 6

Bible Reading: John 8:1-11Key Verse: 11- She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I

condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Key Words: Go, and sin no more

Many of you are aware of the story of the woman caught in adultery and broughtto Jesus. There are many truths which come from this great Bible story, but nonemore important than watching Jesus put grace into practice. The woman by lawdeserved death but Jesus applied grace.

Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker both had churches in London in the 19thcentury. On one occasion, Parker commented on the poor condition of childrenadmitted to Spurgeons orphanage. It was reported to Spurgeon however, thatParker had criticized the orphanage itself.

Spurgeon blasted Parker the next week from the pulpit. The attack was printedin the newspapers and became the talk of the town. People flocked to Parkerschurch the next Sunday to hear his rebuttal.

I understand Dr. Spurgeon is not in his pulpit today, and this is the Sunday theyuse to take an offering for the orphanage. I suggest we take a love offering here

instead. The crowd was delighted. The ushers had to empty the collection platesthree times.

Later that week there was a knock at Parkers study. It was Spurgeon. Youknow Parker, you have practiced grace on me. You have given me what I did notdeserve!

What to do: You want to break people? Put Gods grace into practice.

Free IndeedAPRIL 7

Bible Reading: John 8:31-40Key Verse: 36-If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.Key Words: free indeed

We are free, but our freedom did not come free. Jesus paid a high price for oursalvation. Its only by His grace we are freefree with no conditions attached!


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In his book, In the Heavenlies, Dr. Harry Ironside tells the story of an attemptedassassination of Queen Elizabeth I. The woman who sought to do so dressed as amale page and secreted herself in the queens chamber awaiting the convenientmoment to stab the queen to death. She did not realize that the queens attendantswould be very careful to search the rooms before Her Majesty was permitted to

retire.They found the woman hidden among the gowns and brought her into thepresence of the queen, taking from her the dagger she had hoped to plant in theheart of the sovereign.

She realized that humanly speaking, her case was hopeless. She threw herselfdown on her knees and pleaded and begged the queen as a woman to havecompassion on her, a woman, and to show her grace.

Queen Elizabeth looked at her coldly and quietly said, "If I show you grace, what

promise will you make for the future?" The woman looked up and said, "Grace thathath conditions, grace that is fettered by precautions, is not grace at all."

Queen Elizabeth caught it in a moment and said, "You are right. I pardon youout of my grace." And they led her away, a free woman.

It is said that from that moment Queen Elizabeth had no more faithful, devotedservant than that woman who had intended to take her life. That is exactly the waythe grace of God works in the life of an individual--he or she becomes a faithfulservant of God.

What to do: You are free, not because of what you do but because of what Jesus

did. Accept Gods grace through Jesus. Its the only way to be free.

Its Not BookkeepingAPRIL 8

Bible Reading: Luke 15:11-32Key Verse: 32-It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy

brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Key Words: It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad

We all know the story of the prodigal and his older brother. It paints us a clearpicture of grace. In this day and age where so many believers are intobookkeeping, a clear picture of Gods grace is needed.

Robert Capon, in his book BetweenNoon and Three writes:


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Youre worried about permissivenessabout the way the preaching of graceseems to say its okay to do all kinds of terrible things as long as you just walk inafterward and take the free gift of Gods forgiveness. . .While you and I may beworried about seeming to give permission, the father apparently wasnt. He wasnt

afraid of giving the prodigal son a kiss instead of a lecture, a party instead of

probation; and he proved that by bringing in the elder brother at the end of the storyand having him raise pretty much the same objections you do. Hes angry about the

party. He complains that his father is lowering standards and ignoring virtuethatmusic, dancing, and a fatted calf are, in effect, just so many permissions to breakthe law. And to that, the father has only one thing to say: It is meet that we should

make merry and be glad. Were not playing good boys and bad boys any more. Yourbrother was dead and hes alive again. The name of the game from now on is

resurrection, not bookkeeping.

What to do: Praise God for His marvelous grace.

What Must I Do?APRIL 9

Bible Reading: Mark 10:17-27Key Verse: 17-And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running,and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inheriteternal life?

Key Words: what shall I do

Why is it so many today are wanting to earn their way to heaven when salvationis a free gift of Gods grace? Let me be clear: salvation is not about what you can

do; its all about what Jesus has done!! Got it! I sure hope so!Let me explain it this way.When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his

time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives atrophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriaterecognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award.


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But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, anddeserves no award yet receives such a gift anyway that is a good picture ofGod's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.

What to do: Accept Gods amazing grace through Jesus Christ our Lord; it is the

only way to be saved.

Dont Be A FrustraterAPRIL 10

Bible Reading: Galatians 2:16-21Key Verse: 21-I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the

law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Key Words: I do not frustrate the grace of God

Applying anything to salvation by grace through faith is frustrating the grace of

God; so dont be a frustrater.The Sunday School Times recorded the following story:An old gentleman who came to our house for milk and butter once asked my

mother the way of salvation. She quoted John 3:16, but it seemed that that was notenough. He had never had much of this worlds goods or opportunities, and therealization that he had never done anything for God troubled him. Then Mother said,Roe, its by grace through faith that you are saved, not by works. A new light filledthe old mans eyes. Do you believe that? he asked. I certainly do, Mother replied.

Then there is hope for me, even though Ive never done nothing. She againreminded him of Gods mercies and that Christ died for him. A few days later the oldfellow took desperately ill. A friendly Christian asked him, Is it well? With a smilethe feeble voice replied, By grace through faith Im ready. Dont you know thatJesus died for me? I only wish I could have lived a little longer so I could dosomething for Him, but its all right. Let us beware, Christians, that we dont frustratethe grace of God, for He says, Whosoever will may be saved. And we should allsay, Amen!

What to do: I guess you could say what not to doDont frustrate the grace of

God.


9/28

Mans Work Gods GraceAPRIL 11

Bible Reading: Mark 5:1-43Key Verse: 4-Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the

chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither

could any man tame him.Key Words: neither could any man tame him

Its interesting company: the work of man and the grace of God. We see thedifference in three stories found in Mark 5.

First, there is the demon-possessed man. No man could tame him (verse 4).Jesus, by His grace, healed him (verse 15).

Second, there was the diseased woman. The physicians could not cure her, butJesus, by His grace and her faith, did (verse 34).

Third, there was the dead girl. No man could help her, but Jesus, by His grace,raised her (verse 41).

I read the following from The Christian Digest.Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make

it worth $6,000thats genius.Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth a million

dollarsthats capital.Uncle Sam can take gold, stamp an eagle on it, and make it worth $20.00thats money.

A mechanic can take material that is worth only $5.00 and make it worth $50.00thats skill.

An artist can take a fifty-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make itworth $1,000thats art.

God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit

in it, and make it a blessing to humanitythats salvation.What a difference!!

What to do: Understand that there is value in our talents but grace is priceless.


10/28

Amazing GraceAPRIL 12

Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-9Key Verse: 2-By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Key Words: this grace

John Newton was born in London in the year 1725. His father was a seacaptain. His mother, a devout Christian woman who, realizing that an illness she hadwould take her life within a short time, taught her son to know the Bible at an earlyage.

When John was seven, his mother died and he became a cabin boy aboard asailing ship. His experiences through the years on the sea were dangerous andexciting, even to being shanghaied. That is, he was forced to join the crew of a Manof War. Here he was cruelly treated, being flogged and abused. After thisexperience, he joined the crew of a slave ship and eventually became a captain.During all of this, John drifted far from his mothers God and the Bible. He laterwrote, I often saw the necessity of being a Christian as a means of escaping hell,but I loved sin and was unwilling to forsake it.

Each year saw him sinking lower into the pits of sin and soon he had gotten so

low that even the ships crew despised him as being no more than an animal. Onone occasion, the drunk captain fell overboard but the men did not so much asmake an effort to drop a boat over the side to rescue him. They simply took awhaling harpoon and threw it at him. It caught him in his hip and the crew hauledhim aboard, much the same as they would a large fish. Because of this occurrence,John Newton limped the rest of his life, but as he would say, Each limp is a constantreminder of Gods grace to this wretched sinner.

Amazing Grace is really the life story and testimony of John Newton. It was in

1779 while working on the hymnal Olney Hymns with William Cowper, author ofThere Is a Fountain Filled with Blood that he wrote this gem of hymnology using asits title Faiths Review and Expectation.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once waslost but now am found, was blind but now I see.

What to do: Thank God each day for His amazing grace!


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Grace GivingAPRIL 13

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 8:1-7Key Verse: 7-Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and

knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this

grace also.Key Words: abound in this grace also

Have you ever heard of grace giving, or giving out of grace?Giving out of grace or grace giving is giving to someone or others what they do

not deserve. It is giving out of love for God and others.I know that sometimes it seems that everyone and his brother want something

from us.It had been a hard winter in the Rockies. The snow piled deeper and deeper. Thetemperature dropped below zero and stayed there. The rivers froze over. Peoplewere suffering. The Red Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies.

After a long hard day, as they were returning to their base, the rescue team in ahelicopter saw a cabin nearly submerged in the snow. A thin wisp of smoke camefrom the chimney. The men figured those people in that cabin were probablycritically short of food, fuel, and medicine. Because of the trees they had to set down

about a mile from the cabin. They put their heavy emergency equipment on theirbacks, trudged through waist deep snow, and reached the cabin exhausted, panting,and perspiring. They pounded on the door and a thin, gaunt mountain woman finallyanswered.The lead man panted, Maam, were from the Red Cross. She was silent for amoment, and then she said, Its been a hard long winter, Sonny. I just dont think wecan give anything this year!Though demands for our time, talents and treasure come form nearly every direction

and sometimes with understandable justification we are leery at times to answerthe phone or open the door but the grace of giving to God is not, a demand it isa command.Remember, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

What to do:

Give and it shall be given unto you.


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Partakers of GraceAPRIL 14

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:1-11Key Verse: 7-Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in

my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of

the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.Key Words: Ye all are partakers of my grace

The word partaker means companions with, partners with. Paul had shared withthem the same grace of God that he had experienced. Its sharing the blessings ofGod with others.

I have found that often its not just sharing the grace of God with others, somehave a difficult time accepting the grace being shared.

Several years ago my family and I were enjoying an evening at a restaurant. Welooked over in the corner and saw a couple from our church. We waved at 'em andthey winked back in our direction. And just before they left they came by our table,shook hands and said "Hi." When our meal was over, I got up and walked to thecash register and said, "I didn't get a check for our meal." They said, "Oh, well, youdon't have to worry about it because someone else paid for it." I asked, "Who paidfor it?" They said, "Well, we don't know who they are, but they were the couple that

walked over and said 'Hello' to you." I was astonished, but said, "Well, why don't Itake care of the tip?" "No, that was all taken care of too." It was paid in full. I had thehardest time accepting that. I wanted to go home and call them up and say, "Hey,why don't I split it halfway with you?"

There was another fellow who that year wanted to give us a present of washingall the windows in the house - inside and out. I had the hardest time saying, "Fine,do it all." I was pacing up and down, wondering what I could do to pay him back. It'sdifficult to accept something absolutely free. We think there's a gimmick or we think

there's something we must do to pay our way. God's grace says, "I've picked up thetab. I'll take care of everything inside and out. Accept it. Believe it. It's a declaredfact."

Amen and amen!!

What to do:

Be a partaker in Gods grace.


13/28

Abundant GraceAPRIL 15

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 1:1-14Key Verse: 12-For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in

simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we

have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.Key Words: grace of God.abundantly to you-ward

Have you ever had those times in your life that you needed just a double portionof Gods grace? In our Bible reading for today thats how the church of Corinth is;Paul is telling them about abundant grace.

As I read Gods Word, I find many in the Scriptures that needed Gods abundantgrace.

Noah certainly did in building the ark. Jonah did as he lay in the belly of the great fish. Peter did as he wept bitterly over denying that he knew Christ.

There are those times in life that we are needful of more grace. Maybe today is

one of those days for you where you need Gods abundant graceyou need moregrace.

He Giveth More

1. He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Fathers full giving is only begun.

3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,Our God ever yearns His resources to share;Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,His power no boundary known unto men;


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For out of His infinite riches in JesusHe giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Annie Johnson Flint

What to do: God is a good God, full of grace just when we need it.

Mercy DefinedAPRIL 16

Bible Reading: Psalm 6Key Verse: 2-Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for

my bones are vexed.

Key Words: Have mercy upon me

Grace is defined as God giving us what we do not deserve; for example,

salvation. But mercy is different. Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve; for

example, hellfor those who have accepted Gods grace by faith.

There is an example of mercy found through one of our past presidents, Calvin

Coolidge.

Years after the death of President Calvin Coolidge, this story came to light. In

the early days of his presidency, Coolidge awoke one morning in his hotel room to

find a cat burglar going through his pockets. Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar

not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm that he wanted

to keep. Coolidge then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and discovered hewas a college student who had no money to pay his hotel bill or buy a ticket back to

campus. Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet which he had also persuaded the

dazed young man to give back! declared it to be a loan, and advised the young

man to leave the way he had come so as to avoid the Secret Service! (Yes, the loan

was paid back.)


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This is a word picture of mercy. Thank God that He doesnt give us what we

deserve!

What to do: Thank God today for His wonderful mercy to you. List some of the ways

God has shown you mercy: 1) __________________ 2)_______________ 3) _________________.

I Will Have MercyAPRIL 17

Bible Reading: James 2:1-13Key Verse: 13-For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy;

and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Key Words: mercy rejoiceth against judgment

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. For the person whose lifeis filled with showing mercy to others, that person need not worry in judgment. Theycan rejoice for they will reap what they have sown. We read in Matthew 5:7,Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. Theemperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and

justice demanded death.

"But I dont ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy.""But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied."Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all

I ask for.""Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the womans

son.It never hurts to show mercy.

What to do: A little mercy goes a long way. Think about it!


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Appreciation for MercyAPRIL 18

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:21-35Key Verse: 34-And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he

should pay all that was due unto him.

Key Words: till he should pay all that was due unto him

Tony Evans writes about the time he was in such a hurry going somewhere toserve the Lord that he got pulled over by a police officer for speeding. He said,Now, Pastor Evans, you know youre not supposed to be going this fast.

Pastor Evans said, I am so sorry. I am wrong and I deserve a ticket.

Mercy kicked in. The officer said he wouldnt give him what he deserved but he

cautioned him to be careful with his speed.Now, he figured since he had just left a policeman, he didnt have to worry about

another one for awhile. He hopped on his accelerator trying to hurry up and get tohis destination. Now, he had just experienced mercy. He had just been relieved from

justice. But it doesnt take long to forget mercy. He went back to almost the same

speed. One and a half miles later, another policeman pulled him over for speedingyet again.

Pastor Evans says he got ready to plead again like he did the last time. Theofficer comes to tell him hes speeding and Pastor Evans starts to appeal to him for

mercy. It looked like he was going to get mercy twice in a span of a mile and a halfuntil the first policeman came by. God has a way of making justice catch up with uswhen we dont appreciate mercy or when mercy is taken for granted.

Which raises the question: do we, do you take Gods mercy for granted?

What to do: Ask God to develop an attitude of gratitude in you for His mercy shown

to us.


17/28

Great MercyAPRIL 19

Bible Reading: Psalm 103Key Verse: 11-For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy

toward them that fear him.

Key Words: so great is his mercy toward them that fear him

The writer of the psalm is unknown, but whoever the writer is they knew of themercy of God. They understood that they could never make it without Gods mercy(verses 4, 8, 11, 17).

A pastor was traveling on a bus down a bumpy road. Seated next to him was acollege student who noticed that the minister was reading his Bible. The ministerasked, Are you spiritually ready for the temptations that you will face in college?

"I dont have a problem with temptation," the young man told the minister. "Ihave strong willpower."

The minister took a pencil from his pocket and said, "I can make this pencilstand up on the cover of this Bible even though the bus ride is bumpy."

The young man said, "Ill believe it when I see it. I don't think you can do it.""Look, Im doing it," he replied as the young man watched."Yeah, but you didn't tell me you would hold the pencil up with your hand."

"I didn't have to tell you," the pastor remarked. "Have you ever seen a pencilstand up on its own without someone holding it?"

The minister then let go of the pencil, which instantly fell over. "The only reasonyou stand," he continued, "is because God is holding you up with His hand."

If God were to remove His hand of protection and mercy, we would immediatelyfall.

Praise the Lord! He holds us up even when we do not deserve it.

What to do: Acknowledge Gods mercy in your life and thank Him daily for holding

you up.


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Blessed Are the MercifulAPRIL 20

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:1-12Key Verse: 7-Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.Key Words: Blessed are the merciful

Showing mercy for most of us is not something that comes naturally. Any mercyshown by most of us only comes supernaturally. The key verse simply applies theprinciples of sowing and reaping.

There is an old tale about a man named Androcles. He was a runaway slave inRome. He stopped and risked his life to help a wounded lion attending to hiswounded paw. There was nothing in it for him, at least he thought.

Later, Androcles was caught, jailed, and sentenced to be killed by facing a lion.When he faced a lion in the great stadium, it just happened to be the one he hadshown mercy towards. The lion refused to destroy or even injure Androcles. It maynot be that every act of mercy will be reciprocated. The Biblical principle is true,however: "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."

What to do: Remember, none of us deserve mercy but in a time of need, its the one

thing we all want. Do unto others as you would have them do untoyou.

Prayer for MercyAPRIL 21

Bible Reading: Luke 18:9-14Key Verse: 13-And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his

eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me asinner.

Key Words: God be merciful to me a sinner

Most of you are familiar with the story of the publican and the Pharisee. One is apicture of self-righteousness, and the other is a picture of a man in need of mercy.

At George Washingtons inaugural address, he not only spoke in regard to theneeds of this new country, he also prayed. How unusual for a President to pray athis inauguration, but it wasnt unusual then. Its only unusual now. Below is


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President Washingtons prayer for our country, asking that we as a nation lovemercy.

Almighty God: we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the UnitedStates in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens tocultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a

brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the UnitedStates at large. And, finally, that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose usall to do justice, to love mercyand to demean ourselves with charity, humility, andpacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of ourblessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these thingswe can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Inaugural Prayer, George Washington).

We need more leaders like President Washington because today, more than

ever, we need the mercy of God.

What to do: Pray that God will continue to show America His mercy.

Gods Mercy Is NearAPRIL 22

Bible Reading: Psalm 41Key Verse: 4-I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned

against thee.

Key Words: be merciful unto me

Psalm 38, 29, 40, and 41 were each written by David during the time ofAbsaloms rebellion. You may recall that Absaloms rebellion stemmed out of hisanger for Amnon raping his sister, Tamar, and Davids unwillingness to carry out

judgment on Amnon. Now David is crying out for mercy (verses 4, 10) for he realizeshe himself deserves to be punished for not carrying out judgment on Amnon.

Davids story reminds me of Robert Robinson who had been saved out of a lifeof sin through George Whitefields ministry in England. Shortly after that, at the age

of twenty-three, Robinson wrote the hymn Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,Streams of mercy, never ceasing. Sadly, Robinson wandered far from thosestreams and, like the Prodigal Son, journeyed into a life of carnality. One day he wastraveling by stagecoach and sitting beside a young woman engrossed in her book.She ran across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked him what he thought ofit. Prone to wander Lord, I feel it Prone to leave the God I love. Bursting into tears,Robinson said, Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn manyyears ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I could enjoy the feelings I had


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then. Although greatly surprised, she reassured him that the streams of mercymentioned in his song still flowed. Mr. Robinson was deeply touched. Turning hiswandering heart to the Lord, he was restored to full fellowship.

He will do the same for you today, just as He did for David and Robert Robinsonfor He is a God of mercy for all who call upon Him.

What to do: Be like David; confess your sin and ask God for His mercy.

No MercyAPRIL 23

Bible Reading: Revelation 6Key Verse: 17-For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to

stand?

Key Words: For the great day of his wrath is come

Mercy is not found in the book of Revelation because this is the book that

reveals the judgment of God, not the mercy of God.Today we live under Gods grace and mercy but after the rapture those left

behind will be living under Gods judgment.An ancient Saxon chronicle tells of a king in whose country a rebellion

developed. This king set out with an army to quell the insurrection. Soon things werein control again, with the rebel army defeated. The king, who had made hisheadquarters in one of the castles of that distant province, placed a candle in thearchway over its entrance. Lighting the candle, he then announced that if all who

were in rebellion against him would surrender and take an oath of loyalty while thecandle was still burning, they would be spared. Here is clemency, but only for the lifeof the candle.

We still live in the day of grace and mercy but the candle is burning; and I amconvinced its about to go out.

What to do: Have you accepted the mercy of God and His free gift of salvation that

comes only through Jesus Christ? If not, do so today for the candle isabout to go out.


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Let the Rope GoAPRIL 24

Bible Reading: Luke 17:1-10Key Verse: 4-And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in

a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Key Words: thou shalt forgive him

Remember, mercy is not giving someone what they do deserve; in order to dothat we must forgive them.

Weve all seen, even if just in a picture, a bell in a bell tower. These hang uphigh and have a rope attached to them. To ring the bell, the rope must be pulleddown a few times. There is a constant pulling and constant ringing of the bell. Now,after the pulling is over and the person pulling the rope lets go, the bell will keepswinging. The bell does not stop swinging just because the rope is not being pulledanymore. It will swing for a while before it slows down and eventually stops.

Forgiveness is the act of letting the bell rope go. It means that you choose to nolonger hold the rope. A lack of forgiveness is when you constantly pull the rope.Each ring of the bell reminds us of each wrong inflicted on us by another. Ourconstant pulling of the rope keeps the wrong-doings on our minds. Now, if wechoose to let go by a decision of the will, our emotions will still hear the bell for a

little while. But, if you let the rope go and leave it alone, after awhile, the bell willslow down until it stops.

Dont let the fact of the feelings of the pain get in the way of your forgiveness.You are responsible for not constantly ringing the bell. If you dont pick up the rope,the sound will die down. Sometimes forgiveness is hard because weve been ringingthe bell for so long that we dont know how life is without the bell. Sometimes weleave the bell alone for a while but then we pick up the rope and we start all overagain.

Let the rope go and show some mercy!

What to do: Remember, he who shows no mercy receives no mercy. He who shows

little mercy receives little mercy. He who shows mercy receives mercy.


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Mercy and GrudgesAPRIL 25

Bible Reading: I Samuel 18:1-11Key Verse: 8-And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said,

They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but

thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?Key Words: what can he have more but the kingdom?

King Saul bore a grudge against David until his death; and as a result, all he isknown for is his grudge.

Imagine, if you can, a fellow swinging from the limb of a tree. His hands areclinched and drawn as if he were chained to the limb. All of his clothing has longsince rotted and fallen off. His body is dirty, emaciated, and weatherworn. Whydont you turn loose and come down? You shout to the strange, mad-like creatureswinging in the wind.

Oh, he replies, about twenty years ago a flash flood swept through this valley,and to save my life, I reached up and grabbed this limb.

And youve been hanging here ever since, for twenty years? you ask inshocked disbelief. Then you learn that this was such a traumatic experience for thisperson that he could never force himself to turn loose. And there he had swayed in

the wind, back and forth, for twenty years.

An impossible story? Certainly. No man could hold on to a limb for twenty weeksor even twenty days without food and water. But it is possible for a man to hold on toan old grudge for twenty or even forty years or longer.

Long after everyone else has forgotten, he nurses some real or imagined wrongin his heart. He is emotionally starved, spiritually naked, and psychologicallybruised. So there he swings in the wind, crippled by old grudges that others have

long since forgotten.Showing mercy to others not only releases them, it also releases you from

them. So again, show mercy to others and forgive them.

What to do: Be free by freeing others from the grudge you hold.


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And Can It BeAPRIL 26

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:7-20Key Verse: 20-Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that

we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Key Words: above all that we ask or think

No song, at least from my perspective, demonstrates the grace of God like thehymnAnd Can It Be.

Charles Wesley, founder of the movement known as Methodism with hisbrother, John, was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1735. However,three years later, the evening of May 21, 1738, reportedly after prolonged Biblereading he wrote:

"At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleepingor waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation,and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedinglyabundantly for me above what I can ask or think."

Another writer states that he recorded in his journal:"I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. I

saw that by faith I stood."

Two days later, his journal reported that he had begun writing a hymn. Thishymn was likely And Can It Be because of the vivid testimony of stanza four. Thishymn and Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin were the first of the 6,000 plushymns that he wrote. Also, it is reported that his brother John sang a hymn to thetune CRUCIFIXION on his own conversion to "vital religion" three days later.

Although it was not stated what hymn it was, the Foundery Tune Book, published byJohn Wesley in 1742, pairedAnd Can It Be with CRUCIFIXION.

And Can It Be was first published in John Wesley's Psalms and Hymns in 1738,

then in Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739.

What to do: Every time you sing the hymnAnd Can It Be, think of the marvelous

mercy of God shown to you personally.


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Move on with LifeAPRIL 27

Bible Reading: Numbers 12Key Verse: 13-And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I

beseech thee.

Key Words: Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.

No doubt Miriam deserved the leprosy she had been smitten with. But Moseswasnt looking for vengeance, he was looking for mercy.

In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Edmunds love for Turkish Delightcaused him to betray his family. He fell into the trap set by the Witch and since ittasted so good he became obsessed with getting more Turkish Delight. Thetemptation of luscious Turkish Delight became stronger even than his family loyalty.Later in the book as the Witch prepares to kill Edmund he is rescued by troops from

Aslans army. Next morning Edmund comes face to face with his brother Peter andhis sisters Lucy and Susan. At this point there could have been an almighty familybrawl, the type of brawl which I hope and pray you do not experience. But theres nobrawl and no harsh words. After talking with Edmund Aslan says, Here is yourbrother; and there is no need to talk to him about what is past.

Thats mercy. Its over, lets forget it and move on. Who is it today that you need

to show mercy to, so you can move on with your life?

What to do: Be like Moses; show mercy and move on with life.

Mephibosheth: A Picture of Grace and MercyAPRIL 28

Bible Reading: II Samuel 21:1-19Key Verse: 7-But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul,

because of the LORDS oath that was between them, between David andJonathan the son of Saul.

Key Words: But the king spared Mephibosheth

As you can see from the key verse, Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan andthe grandson of King Saul. He was only five years old when Jonathan, his father,and Saul, his grandfather, died on Mount Gilboa. When the nurse of Mephiboshethheard of his fathers and grandfathers death, she took up the young lad and beganto flee in fear that David would come and take his life. In the process of fleeing, thenurse let Mephibosheth fall. As a result, he was lame the remainder of his life.


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But in the story of Mephibosheth, we have a beautiful picture of Gods grace.David goes looking for Mephibosheth because of a vow he had made with

Jonathan. Finding the young lad, he took him up barefoot to the kings palace, fedhim, clothed him in royal apparel, and provided for him all the days of his life.

This is a picture of Gods grace to us. We were lame spiritually, running from

God, and He sent His Spirit to find us to bring us to Jesus, Who will clothe us, feedand nurture us spiritually all the days of our life. To God be the glory!Readers Digest wrote of the late Harvey Penick:For 90-year-old golf pro Harvey Penick, success has come late. His first golf

book, Harvey Penicks Little Red Book, has sold more than a million copies, whichhis publisher believes makes it one of the biggest things in the history of sportsbooks. His second book, And If You Play Golf, Youre My Friend, has already soldnearly three-quarters of a million. But anyone who imagines that Penick wrote the

books to make money doesnt know the man. In the 1920s Penick bought a redspiral notebook and began jotting down observations about golf. He never showedthe book to anyone except his son, until 1991, when he shared it with a local writerand asked if he thought it was worth publishing. The man read it and told him yes.He left word with Penicks wife the next evening that Simon & Schuster had agreedto an advance of $90,000. When the writer saw Penick later, the old man seemedtroubled. Finally, Penick came clean. With all his medical bills, he said, there was noway he could advance Simon & Schuster that much money. The writer had toexplain that Penick would be the one to receive the $90,000.

People often have Penicks reaction to the fabulous gift of salvation offered inJesus Christ. We ask, What must I do? God answers, Just receive.

What to do: Do not run from God; just simply accept His miraculous gift of salvation

provided by and through His great grace.

Mercy: A Drawing CardAPRIL 29

Bible Reading: Colossians 4:1-6

Key Verse: 6-Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye mayknow how ye ought to answer every man.Key Words: Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye

may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Think about it; you are visiting churches looking for a church home. You go toget your child from the childrens ministry and the workers say nothing to you,neither positive nor negative; or maybe they say something negative like, Youve


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got a wild child there, dont you? Another church you visit greets you when you bothdrop off your child and pick them up. They are thankful for the privilege to havetaught your child with no thought of their conduct. Which church are you likely toattend? Yes, me too!

We all know our children are not perfect, but it is imperative that workers make

both the parents and child feel loved and welcomed.Our words and actions will either draw people or cause them to retreat.There was a Baptist preacher who just finished his sermon for the day and

proceeded toward the back of the church for his usual greetings and handshakingas the congregation left the church. After shaking a few hands he came upon theseven year old son of one of the Deacons of the church. "Good morning, Jonathan,"the preacher said as he reached out to shake Jonathan's hand. As he was doing sohe felt something in the palm of Jonathan's hand. "What's this?" the preacher asked.

"Money," said Jonathan with a big smile on his face, "It's for you!" "I don't want totake your money, Jonathan," the preacher answered. "I want you to have it," saidJonathan. After a short pause Jonathan continued, "My daddy says you're thepoorest preacher we ever had and I want to help you."

What to do:

Do unto others, and I might add, say unto others what you would wantsaid and done to you. Always say it with grace.

Mercy and Our WordsAPRIL 30

Bible Reading: Proverbs 25Key Verse: 11-A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.Key Words: A word fitly spoken

In Proverbs 25:11-15, Solomon gives us five different types of words.Verse 11: Our words should be fitting (not out of line or improper).Verse 12: Our words should be wise. (A person who knows how to properly

correct with words is a rarity.)Verse 13: Our words should be refreshing. (In ancient times, snow was usedvery much as ice is today. In winter it was carefully put away so as to be availablefor cooling drinks in the heat of summer. The simile, therefore, is very easy tounderstand. As the cold snow refreshes the reapers in the hot days of harvest, sodoes the dependable messenger refresh the soul of those who place theirconfidence in him to deliver a message.)


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Verse 14: Our words should not be boastful. (A boastful person can talk up ahefty cloud and a good puff of wind, but they never produce anything of anysubstance.)

Verse 15: Our words should be soft. (We are reminded of Proverbs 15:1a, A softanswer turneth away wrath.)

Irecently read about a woman who committed suicide. She left an unfinishednote that simply read, They said. She never finished her final thought, butwhatever they said was painful enough for her to extinguish her own life. We say,Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will never hurt us. Oh, howuntrue! In this case, words literally killed.A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in

pictures of silver.

What to do: Make your words 1) fitting, 2) wise, 3) refreshing, 4) not boastful, and 5)

soft. Some good points to remember, dont you think?


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I deeply appreciate the help of

Cathy FortenberrySandy Lancaster

Glenda Myrick

Mary Parsons

John and Tascha Piatt

Reba Pontbriand

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to help

this devotional would not have been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse

emphasis on grace

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