TOPIC: BUT FOR THE MERCY OF GOD.
MEMORISE:
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 a sinner. Luke 18:13
READ: Genesis 19:15-17
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
MESSAGE
When a man receives mercy, it would appear as if the fellow is wise or a genius. It would appear as if his righteousness has bestowed upon him divine blessings. What can one do without the mercy of God? The Bible says:
“It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”Lamentations 3:22
Luke 18:14 Today’s memory verse tells of the mercy enjoyed by the publican when he begged for it. Jesus said:
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:14
What prevents some people from receiving mercy from the Lord is the failure to admit that we are sinners and that we need to turn from our wicked ways. It is amazing that some children of God are in the habit of living in the world where the end justifies the means. This is not the gospel . when they are caught stealing, they rationalize it by putting the blame on the fact that they are jobless. Some ladies claim to have taken to prostitution because they are jobless. And they need to take care of their aged parents.
“Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; …. walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Ezekiel 33:14-15
Another important thing to note is that it takes humility to acknowledge a sin or wrongdoing. The Bible says:
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Your day of mercy comes when you humbly ask for it from the One who is rich in mercies, that is, the Almighty God (Ephesians 2:4).
Bring forth the day of God’s mercy in your life by calling on the Lord today for forgiveness if you have not repented of your sins through Jesus Christ. If you are already a child of God but seem to be lacking His mercies, call on Him like a child would cry to his loving father for mercy. You and your loved ones will partake of the Lord’s mercy in the mighty name of Jesus.
PRAYER POINT:
Jesus Christ, Son of the Living, God, have mercy on me and give me greater testimonies.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Philemon 1
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 12: IN CHRIST ALONE
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
First born of God, the begotten Son
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
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