Devotional

Whatever Happened to Mercy?

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy Matthew 5:7

Whatever happened to mercy in our political arena and in our community? Where is forgiveness clearly messaged towards people who don’t agree with us, live up to our standards or fit in with our tight knit circle? When we are anxious to pick up stones to throw at people we might want to be careful of whom we hit. The person who is today’s vicious opponent may one day become a missionary like Paul. The liar we contend with at work could one day become a pillar of our church like Peter. Skeptics who question all we believe in could one day be like Thomas who traveled all the way to India bringing the message of the gospel!

Looking at racism, looting, and violence it is easy to begin to feel that some of those people really don’t deserve mercy. But that misses the point. Mercy cannot be deserved! Mercy is the attitude that reflects the undeserved second chance that God has given to anyone who comes to Him. Mercy is the action that says there is always hope for someone else’s life. Especially for we who call ourselves Christians, mercy should always be our first response rather than our last resort. Jesus teaches us that mercy unlocks God’s blessing. There is still hope for God’s blessing on our community because of mercy. No one is too far away for God to reach. God’s mercy can reach every hard angry and rebellious heart … even our own!

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

Caregiver Devotional – New Edition

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

First a little background on me might help in that I have spent over the last twenty-five years ministering every week in six different long term care facilities. I learned that it was not only the residents but also their families and loved ones who struggled to understand how to make it through day by day. So originally I wrote this short devotional book to come alongside and let them know that they were not alone and that God had not forgotten about them.

Grace for the Road image

Then when the Corona virus crisis intensified,  I went back to the manuscript and have added more readings specific to the new reality as well as a new introduction. If you are a caregiver yourself or know someone who needs a gentle reminder of God’s grace and hope this book may be just for you. It is also available in large print. You could either click through on the link or find it for yourself on Amazon.

Large Print Edition

Standard Edition

 

The Road Ahead

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15 KJV

Sometimes we look at Easter as a single defining event of our faith. But the Good News of Easter morning is that, as we walk (or run in Peter’s case) from the tomb, Jesus comes and walks along at our side.  If we believe that living for Jesus means we having to do everything just right, then we will often feel like giving up.  I am so encouraged to know that on the first Easter, Jesus decided to walk with disciples who were far from perfect. Let’s listen in on their conversation a bit:

But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel…. Luke 24:21 ESV

In other words; they had given up hope. They just didn’t get it. Why had Jesus died? On those kinds of days Jesus draws near and asks:

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? Luke 24:26 ESV

Just like a doctor treating a wound Jesus pokes and prods with questions that can make us feel uncomfortable. But His examination is for the purpose of healing and focusing our thinking on His cross, His forgiveness and eternal life.

Prayer: Father my hope this morning is no longer that I have everything right, but that You will come along side today. Come Lord and walk with me and lead me to the cross that meant death for You and eternal life for me.