Reading: Psalm 136
"... For His mercy endures forever."
Every single verse in Psalm 136 ends with the same phrase. I wonder if some One is trying to tell us some thing. How incredible and awesome to know that God's mercy goes on eternally. It has, does, and will last. Mercy is a defining trait of the one true God. It is mercy that doesn't fail, doesn't change, doesn't sway. Constant, enduring mercy comes from God alone.
Our mercy may depend upon the circumstances in which we find ourselves. For instance, on a good day we may extend mercy quickly and completely to a child that offends us. But, tomorrow when we have a headache we offer only a limited version of mercy to the bleep-bleep that can't drive properly.
What is mercy? The number one definition carries the meaning of compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender or adversary. Synonyms include forgiveness, indulgence, leniency, tenderness, among others. I've heard it said that mercy is not getting the punishment or consequences we deserve when we break the law or err in conduct. Oh, wow! I am so thankful and appreciate when some one shows mercy to me. Have I shown mercy today?
(Father God, Thank you for the great mercy you show me hour by hour. Please help me to show mercy to others. Help me to show true mercy and not a watered-down version which causes me to hold the error over another. Help me to forgive insults or offenses and give mercy freely. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Facebook Destroys Relationships
Recently our local news did a story on "Facebook Destroys Relationships." It was all about how spouses were cheating using Facebook. Every time I heard the promo for the story, I just wanted to scream. In fact, I did find myself talking to the TV every single time.
Facebook doesn't destroy relationships. People do. People wound, maim, attack, pursue, frustrate, and kill relationships. It's the people involved in the relationship that destroy it. We were doing it without Facebook for many years. I'm pretty sure we will keep on doing it even if Facebook goes away.
Proverbs 23:7 tell us, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, he says to you; but his heart is not with you." Relationships are destroyed by a heart that thinks it can find something better somewhere else. Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are unwilling to forgive. Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are bitter and critical. Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are not with the one they've married. Relationships are destroyed by a heart that has placed higher importance on something or someone else.
If there are 95 things that you love about your spouse and 5 things that bug you, you've got a wonderful thing. Don't dwell on those 5 things, think on those things that are lovely, pure, right, just, honest, good. When your heart and mind are thinking on the good things, the bad things fade into the background where they belong. That does NOT mean that criminal offenses should be overlooked. That means it's not important if she leaves the cap off the toothpaste. It means that it's not important if he leaves his socks in the living room. Don't quibble over the small stuff.
(Father God, help us to place you first in our lives so that other things may also be placed in the right order. Thank you for the relationships you give us. Help us to value and treasure those relationships. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)
Facebook doesn't destroy relationships. People do. People wound, maim, attack, pursue, frustrate, and kill relationships. It's the people involved in the relationship that destroy it. We were doing it without Facebook for many years. I'm pretty sure we will keep on doing it even if Facebook goes away.
Proverbs 23:7 tell us, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, he says to you; but his heart is not with you." Relationships are destroyed by a heart that thinks it can find something better somewhere else. Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are unwilling to forgive. Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are bitter and critical. Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are not with the one they've married. Relationships are destroyed by a heart that has placed higher importance on something or someone else.
If there are 95 things that you love about your spouse and 5 things that bug you, you've got a wonderful thing. Don't dwell on those 5 things, think on those things that are lovely, pure, right, just, honest, good. When your heart and mind are thinking on the good things, the bad things fade into the background where they belong. That does NOT mean that criminal offenses should be overlooked. That means it's not important if she leaves the cap off the toothpaste. It means that it's not important if he leaves his socks in the living room. Don't quibble over the small stuff.
(Father God, help us to place you first in our lives so that other things may also be placed in the right order. Thank you for the relationships you give us. Help us to value and treasure those relationships. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)
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