Lord, Have Mercy!

2 Samuel 9

When was the last time you found yourself in need of the Lord’s mercy. As I progress in my walk with Christ, I gain more understanding of God’s mercy. Mercy can be defined as not getting something you deserve. For example, if a man was caught robbing a store, he would be certain to face time behind bars. But, the judge could show mercy to the robber, and wave all charges set against him. If you think long enough, you’ll remember countless times when God could have easily punished you for deliberately disobeying His commands, but His mercy is everlasting, and He, out of love, waved all charges against you.

The mercy of God is unfathomable, and seemingly unfair, yet He extends it to whomever He desires. Knowing this, how do you treat those who have wronged you, and deserve to be taught a lesson? Are you one who imitates the love of God, by showing mercy to even your worst enemies, or do you need a few more life lessons to hone your humility skills? Be certain to always consider the times God had mercy on you, and allow those memories to open your heart, to show mercy to others, despite whether or not they deserve to be made an example of.

Looking From Heaven

Psalm 33:13-22

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Looking From Heaven” starring, The Father and The Son! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(The Father and The Son look down from Heaven, upon the earth, considering man and his ways.)

The Son: Father, is there something on your mind? Is it time for me to return, to gather the Saints?

The Father: No, not yet… but very soon.

The Son: Understood. But, the look on your face tells me, you are pondering something.

The Father: My Son, I am well pleased of the works you did in the earth. You were obedient to my words, and wavered not to the left, nor the right.

The Son: It was an honor to be the right representation of you before mankind. But, there is more on your mind. Please, share your thoughts with me Father.

The Father: As I sit here, looking from Heaven, upon the earth, I marvel at what man has become. He was created in our image and after our likeness, and has done many great works by his hand, but it saddens me, even after I turned my face from you when you took on all man’s sins, they desire more to cling to the world, than to my word.

The Son: Indeed. It is a hard thing to witness man indulging themselves in the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life. May I have permission to express myself freely?

The Father: You may.

The Son: When you sent me to the earth, to live among men, to become a man, I saw life through their eyes. Yes, they are frail and function on impulse and emotions, but can you give them a little more time, because I’m certain that with the continual teaching and preaching of your faithful few, many will turn their hearts away from the world, and toward you.

The Father: You are right, my son, but time is of the essence, and you left the ideal example of what I consider holy, yet they willingly ignore the teachings from the men who bring forth my word regularly. I am a God of patience and forgiveness, but I have set in place a standard man must abide by, in order to live in perpetual peace with you and I.

The Son: Yes Father, I understand. Father, how long until you release me to gather those who have remained true to your word, from time past, and present?

The Father: In time, I will give you word to return to the earth, but until then, I’ll continue to honor your intercession on their behalf, as the prayers of the righteous fill this atmosphere with a sweet aroma.

The Son: Yes, I love to hear their sincere petitions, especially when they realize that we are all they really need. Their adversary tries hard to distract them from your will, but it excites me to see them overcome the one who first turned against you!

The Father: Man is our most prized creation, and they are capable of accomplishing great things. Unfortunately, they have fallen away from the faith, and a purging must take place. I see their suffering. I feel their pain. I see the works of the enemy. I watch those who desire only to bring harm. But, I will soon deliver them from their oppressors, as I did in time past, then they will know that I am the God who saves, sets free, and delivers.

The Son: I can’t wait for you to reveal your glory to those who’ve remained faithful to you Father. The place I have prepared for them is beyond glorious, but it will be a great thing to see your mighty hand work wonders for your people, even in this present world.

The Father: Indeed, my Son. Indeed…

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Looking From Heaven”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

God’s Got You!

2 Chronicles 32:1-22

“And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chr. 31:20-21). Simply writing those passages of scripture inspire me to want to give my all, and be my best for God, as king Hezekiah did. Hezekiah was known as one of the most prominent kings of Judah, and his success and great victories were only made possible through his obedience to God.

According to the author of Hebrews, God rewards those who diligently seek Him, and king Hezekiah proved this verse to be true. However, prospering in the works of the Lord can also attract negative attention. In our text, we read how the king of Assyria entered Judah, with his mind set on overtaking the land, and overthrowing the king from his throne. Isn’t it troubling, how the enemy loves to bring down good men, while promoting their selfish and narcissistic beliefs? Well, Hezekiah was a wise king, and prepared himself and the people to stand against their enemy.

While it’s one thing to oppress those who claim to be followers of idol gods, it’s a whole different ballgame when oppression is aimed toward the children of the true and living God. King Sennacherib of Assyria, claimed many victories over people who placed their hope and trust in the false gods they served. Unfortunately, the wood and stone gods offered the people no assistance, as the Assyrians ransacked and pillaged their lands. After hearing the wicked king brag on himself, and mock the power of God almighty, king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed and cried to heaven. God truly answers the prayers of the righteous, and verse 21 helps us realize this fact as it reads, “And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth out of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.” That’s intense! After talking all his smack about how he overtook many lands, and no gods could stop him, the God of king Hezekiah proved to king Sennacherib, that He was, and still is the only true and eternal God. This carnal king openly and boldly insulted Hezekiah and his God, so it was time for God to show Himself mighty to those who trusted in Him.

Maybe you’re in a season where it seems that your troubles are getting the best of you, and others are convinced you’ll never be delivered, but if you hold fast to your faith in God, He will show Himself mighty, and prove to you and your enemies, that He was with you the whole time.

Righteous Judgment

Deuteronomy 1:15-18

One of the hardest things to do as a leader is, consistently judge the causes of individuals effectively. Despite the outcomes of particular judgments, not everyone will be pleased with the leader’s decision. Fortunately, the children of God have been given a proven and effective method to always please God in their decisive matters.

Our lesson’s text identifies in verse 16, that leaders are to first hear the cause between those who have issues. It’s easy to pass wrong judgment on a case, when you’ve hardly listened to the entirety of the matter, from both parties. However, when a judge hears the whole matter, he’ll gain greater understanding of how to handle each case.

After hearing and gaining a better understanding of a matter, Moses commanded the leaders to judge every man righteously (including strangers), and show no partiality. Verse 17 reads, “Ye shall not  respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it to me, and I will hear it.” The children of God had swelled in number, and Moses assigned men to assist in handling certain matters, but in times when affairs were too hard to handle, Moses decided to deal with those personally.

In any situation that demands judgment, we must always approach them in the Spirit of love. As the body of Christ, we serve a God of peace, not confusion, so all matters involving professing believers should always be handled with care, consideration, and work toward a beneficial resolution.

Love, Without God

1 John 4:8

Love, without God, is no love at all. In the Bible, John wrote, “God is love”, not love is God. Unfortunately, our sin-sick society holds a shallow view of love, and has contaminated the true understanding of what it really is. In the eyes of carnal men, love is based on feelings and emotions, and they’ll willingly sacrifice morality in order to obtain such love. Sad to say, that’s not real love, but the total opposite. The problem with many people is, they incorporate the world’s view of love with the scripture, and completely destroy love’s true intent. Those who become Saints, must understand love from God’s perspective, and not allow society’s misunderstanding to taint its meaning. Loving others the right way can only be done when we understand that God is love, and if God so loved us, we must also love one another.

Say What?!

Proverbs 25:18

Use your words to encourage. Use your words to edify. Use your words to lift men up, until their faith and confidence reach the sky. Speak to men politely. Speak to men with love. Speak to men in gentle tones, to satisfy the God above. Let the words from your lips bring healing. Let the words from your lips turn away wrath. Let the words from your lips refrain from talebearing, as you walk along the righteous path. Use not your words for boasting. Use not your words to shame. Use not your words to puff yourself up, or mislead others for shameful gain. Shout to God in victory! Shout to God in praise! Shout to God for all His goodness, because we who serve Him bear His name!

-Elliott D. Banks

Bendiciones Condicionales

2 Crónicas 7:14

“Si se humillare mi pueblo, sobre los cuales ni nombre es invocado, y oraren, y buscaren mi rostro, y se convirtieren de sus caminos malos; entonces yo oiré desde los cielos, y perdonaré sus pecados, y sanaré su tierra.” Si la gente que dicen llamarse hijos de Dios dejaran de comportarse de una manera arrogante y sobervia; decidieran cambiar y recapacitar. Transformando sus quejas y lamentos en oraciones, si se esforzaran diligentemente por llevar una vida humilde. Entonces Dios dirigiria su atención hacia ellos, perdonaria sus pecados y los colmaria de infinitas bendiciones.