As you know, we are living in troubled economic times. Many are facing foreclosure on their homes, or defaulting on credit card debt, are unemployed, or are facing a mountain of debt. And as we enter into the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons, we will see various charities at stores, or on commercials, billboards, or even coming to our doors, asking for donations for those who need help.
What will our reaction be when we come into contact with these charities requests for help? Will we ignore them? Will we sacrifice? Will we get angry? What will we do? Maybe we need to do something different this year. Maybe we need to show grace and mercy.
Matthew 12:7, in reference to what God wants us to do, says “I desire mercy, not sacrifice;” and in Ephesians 2:7 its says that God wants to “show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness.” Mercy and Grace: not getting what we do deserve (punishment), and getting what we do not deserve (riches and kindness) respectively. Giving these is harder and more rewarding than sacrifice. Putting ourselves in the places of others (in their shoes so to speak) and desiring for them what we would desire if we were in their place. Mercy and Grace.
Maybe this Thanksgiving and Christmas season we can give two gifts that are more valuable than money. Mercy and Grace.
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Sunday Thought 64
by JD on November 22, 2009
As you know, we are living in troubled economic times. Many are facing foreclosure on their homes, or defaulting on credit card debt, are unemployed, or are facing a mountain of debt. And as we enter into the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons, we will see various charities at stores, or on commercials, billboards, or even coming to our doors, asking for donations for those who need help.
What will our reaction be when we come into contact with these charities requests for help? Will we ignore them? Will we sacrifice? Will we get angry? What will we do? Maybe we need to do something different this year. Maybe we need to show grace and mercy.
Matthew 12:7, in reference to what God wants us to do, says “I desire mercy, not sacrifice;” and in Ephesians 2:7 its says that God wants to “show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness.” Mercy and Grace: not getting what we do deserve (punishment), and getting what we do not deserve (riches and kindness) respectively. Giving these is harder and more rewarding than sacrifice. Putting ourselves in the places of others (in their shoes so to speak) and desiring for them what we would desire if we were in their place. Mercy and Grace.
Maybe this Thanksgiving and Christmas season we can give two gifts that are more valuable than money. Mercy and Grace.