Pastor's Corner: Starting our day

Greetings Hi-Line,

As I am writing this there is no better start of this day then to look outside and see the robins looking for their next worm, the rabbits frolicking, the sun coming through the window, the chickens and goose looking for their favorite human (my wife) to get them fresh water and food hearing her voice of love, the leaves of the trees gently moving to the breeze I am truly blessed this day.

Another way I start my day is with a daily devotional and Gods word, (and a good cup of coffee), the ten or more minutes given to refresh and awaken my soul to the love of God for me is priceless and will set my soul at rest, and when your soul is at rest, life's the best!

Let me share what I read today, it comes from the devotional Experiencing God Day by Day, by Henery T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace

To Timothy, my true son in the faith. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Timothy 1:2

How you pray for your family members and friends is important. There is no better way to pray for someone you love then by following the example found in Scripture. Paul often asks for specific gifts from God for those He cared about. On Timothy's behalf, Paul requested grace, mercy and peace.

Grace, is the unearned gifts the Father bestows on His children. The Lord relates to us only be His grace. His grace provides salvation though we deserved destruction (Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God). His grace blesses us with the riches of heaven. His grace brings us peace in troublesome times. His grace brings us good things everyday (1 Timothy 1:14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.).

Mercy is God withholding the punishment we deserve because of our sinfulness. The consequences of our sin is death, yet Jesus paid this penalty for us (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.). God is long-suffering and will delay giving us our just punishment in order for us to have every opportunity to repent and to receive His gift of salvation (2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.).

Peace is the state of mind and heart we experience when we are confident of God's grace and mercy towards us. Peace comes in knowing that God's grace will sustain us, even in our most difficult crisis (Philippians 4:7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.). god assures us that even when we fail miserably in or commitments to Him, He will show mercy upon us. This assurance gives us peace.

The peace God gives is fundamentally different from the peace the world offers (John 14: 27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.). The world seeks to sedate us from the problems we face through counseling or drugs or temporary pleasures. The peace that God gives goes right to the soul, relieving the heart and mind.

How are you praying for your loved ones? There could be no better request than asking the Lord to give them an abundance of His grace, His mercy, and His peace.

God's word, a good devotional, gives me a dose of truth, gives me a realization of the great grace, mercy and peace I can receive from my Lord Jesus Christ. What a way to start the day. Pray for your family and friends that are lost, be longsuffering and never stop praying for them no one is unreachable by God's grace. Miracles are still happening as I am one, and you are one. I am praying for all who read this an abundance of God's grace, God's mercy and God's peace will overwhelm you today so your day may start a little brighter and end with a soul at rest.

Love to all!

--

Pastor AJ

Set Free Christian Fellowship