He Began to Cry Out, Have Mercy On Me!

Scripture: Mark 10: 46-48

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus hears us when we cry out to him

When we pray we cry out to Jesus. We often cry out to him seeking help; either for something we want or think we need. What are we doing in our lives that leaves us with a need for something?

God gives us everything we need, so what are we asking for? Did we use or did we waste what we had? We often call out to Jesus looking to gain something that we do not need, but something that is the object of our greed.

Jesus gives you what you need. What have you given him?

Jesus healed Bar-ti-mae’-us out of love. He gave you what you need, and sometimes he gives you the things you ask for, out of love. What have you done for Jesus out of love?

Have you taught his Word to others? Do you spread the word about what Jesus has done for you and for your family? Jesus gives you so much. What have you given?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Mark Chapter 10

Have you considered the Testimony in the Trial?

Scripture: Job 2: 2-3

And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

Scripture Commentary: Have you considered why there are obstacles in your life?

God shines a spotlight with the question, “Have you considered my servant Job?” Throughout our lives we become Job. When things happen to us, good or bad, we question God’s reasons. We like the spotlight when we are the recipient of something that we want. Why does he think we are deserving of gifts? But when it’s something we don’t want, we ask why has he let something bad happen to us? When things happen to us, it may be a message from God to us, a family member, or even our friends and coworkers.

Have you considered that your obstacles are the blessings that help you grow?

Some people are only faithful to God when they feel his blessings. They do not consider the obstacles he gives us blessings because of the work and struggle they entail. Some believe that being a follower of God makes them immune to trouble, but that is not true.

If you thought you were losing everything, would you draw nearer to God or blame him for your pain? Satan believed that if Job lost everything he would curse God. It is common that when calamity strikes, people question God’s justice. That was not the case of Job, and it is not the case of those who stand by their faith.

God did not allow Satan to destroy Job, and he will not allow Satan to destroy you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Job Chapter 2

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Scripture: Romans 8: 31-34

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus intercedes for us; He is always with us

These verses are especially for those who do not think they are good enough to receive God’s love. Do you think that you are not worthy of God’s salvation? Do you exclude yourself from the forgiveness and mercy God has for us? Just remember the words in the Scripture, “If God is for us, who can be against us!”

God gave his only son, hoping we might turn to him and serve him. He gave his son to you. With his son, he gave salvation to everyone. Christ gave his life for you; he will not turn around and condemn you. He will not withhold any of the tools you need to live for him and with him.

Jesus always advocates for you

Paul says that Jesus is interceding for you in heaven. God acquitted you and removed your sin and guilt. It is Satan, not God, who accuses you and guilts you. Satan strikes all the time. Jesus always advocates for you; he stands at God’s right hand to present your case.

No matter what happens to you, no matter where you are, you can never be lost to God’s love. If you believe these overwhelming assurances, you will not be afraid of anything. In Christ, you are a super conqueror, and his love will protect you at all times.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 8

Money Can’t Buy What Is Eternal

Scripture: Acts 8: 9,13,18

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Sa-ma’-ri-a, giving out that himself was some great one: (9) Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.(13) And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.(18)

Scripture Commentary: Money won’t get you into heaven

In our world, everything has a price. We live in a world of wealth, of bribes, and of materialism. Simon thought he could buy the Holy Spirit’s power with money. Peter harshly rebuked him. The only way to receive God’s power is to do what Peter told Simon to do; turn from sin, ask God for forgiveness, and fill up with his Spirit. God gives the Holy Spirit in return for you giving yourself to him.

You can’t put a price on God

Can you calculate the price value of our Lord Jesus Christ? “O Lord, if you get me out of this mess, I will be good,” or “If you help me hit the lottery, I will do what you will have me to do.” Do these phrases sound familiar? Do you have a price for your service to God?

Do not put a price on giving yourself to God. God wants you to serve him out of your faith. No amount of money can buy salvation and forgiveness. None can buy God’s love. Give yourself to our Lord Jesus Christ. He will show you the way to salvation.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Acts Chapter 8

Love Is Of God; Let Us Love One Another

Scripture: 1 John 4: 4-8

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Scripture Commentary: Love is of God

Is there a person in your life whom you hate; someone who has done wrong by you either in actions or words? Do you consider yourself a child of God? If you answer yes to both, then think about this scripture. We are of God, and love is of God.

To be a child of God means to love as he loves.

God’s love knows no bounds. Walking in God’s image means you cannot hate another person and call yourself a child of God. If Jesus Christ is your savior, you are to love everyone.

If you truly follow Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells in you. With the Holy Spirit in you, you will love everyone, including your enemies. God reveals himself to others through our acts of love.

John tells you that “God is love” not “Love is God.”

The world has shallow and selfish views of love; it has turned these words around and contaminated the understanding of love.

Real love is God, for he gave his only begotten son to us and for you, to show you his love for you. How can you say you love God and dislike someone? If you truly know God, you will love as he loves.

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 John Chapter 4

Seek the Lord Within His Word

Scripture: Isaiah 55: 1-3, 6

“Come, all you who are thirsty, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love.(1-3) Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near…”(6)

Scripture Commentary: Seek the Lord, Seek His righteousness and humility

As the Bible says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near…” Food costs money, lasts only for a short amount of time, and meets only physical needs. God offers us free nourishment that feeds our souls. God’s salvation is freely offered. His love fills us when we eagerly receive it.

Without God’s love, our spirits will starve. God never moves away from us, but we often move away from him. Seek the Lord now, while you can. He is waiting to give you his love and mercy. All you have to do is turn to him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 55

Save Yourself Through Belief; Save Others Through Discipleship

Scripture: Luke 23: 37-41

And said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Scripture Commentary: You save yourself when you accept Jesus as your Saviour

Two criminals hung on crosses on either side of Jesus, to be crucified with him. One challenged Christ to prove himself. “Save yourself and us!” he cries. The other asked Jesus for forgiveness for he knew he had done wrong.

Which one are you? Are your thoughts and actions self-serving? Or, are you like the criminal who sought forgiveness from Christ?

Accepting Christ into your life reflects who you are as a person

You receive and give love. You receive forgiveness and forgive. Our deeds alone will not save us. Our faith in Christ will.

Earthly life is finite. The potential for our time to be fulfilling and wholesome exists in our walk with God. The sooner we choose this walk, the more time we have to do God’s will. However, even those who are latecomers – who repent in their last moments – can still be with God in paradise.

Repent now. Every day is a blessing, and there is always the chance you may not wake in the morning. Live as though each day is the last chance you have to accept Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 23

Give Thanks to God; Praise His Holy Name

Scripture: Psalm 105: 1-4

O Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Scripture Commentary: Give thanks to God every day of your life

Did you thank the Lord your God today, yesterday, or any day? If you are reading this, then God gave you another day; a day to praise his name. Give thanks to him, and seek him.

How long has it been since you talked about God to someone? Have you reflected on all of the things he has done in your life?

Rejoice, God’s love for you is great. Seek God every day; talk to him, tell him you love him and need him. God seems far away, but he is not. Persist in your search for him, and he will show himself to you. God rewards those who sincerely seek him. Jesus promised, “Seek and you will find,” and, “Knock and the door will be open.”

God is not lost. You may be lost. Read the Bible; investigate the records of the history of God’s people; search and you will see a loving God waiting for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 105

Jesus Will Prepare A Place For Us

Scripture: Amos 4: 10,12

I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.(10) Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, of Israel.( 12)

Scripture Commentary: Prepare yourself to meet the Lord; He prepares a place for you in His Father’s house

What will it take for us to listen to our Lord Jesus Christ and do as he instructs? Are we too like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, who turned away from God? Is the lifestyle you’re living mirroring God? What are you doing to prepare to meet your Saviour?

Facing God, the one we’ve rejected and disobeyed, is inevitable. If we don’t face him, then we are like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. They typify the ultimate and extreme through their sinful degrading behavior, their rebellion against God.

God’s intention is to use faithful people to bless the world. To do and live as God intends is the only way to prepare yourself for when you meet him face to face.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Amos Chapter 4

Walk After The Lord Day After Day

Scripture: Romans 8: 1-4

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Scripture Commentary: Do you walk after the flesh or after the Holy Spirit?

Paul sorted all people into two categories; those whose sinful natures control them, and those who follow or walk after the Holy Spirit. Which are you? Every one of us would fall into the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Accept Jesus into your life; follow his way of eternal life and peace.

Jesus gave himself as the sacrifice for our sins. He forgave us, relieves us of our guilt and lets us go free. Without Jesus there would be no hope at all. We would be justly condemned for breaking God’s holy law every day.

We have the right of choice every day … Who do you choose to follow?

Every day we must consciously choose to center our lives around God. Thank God every day. He declares us not guilty in spite of our sin. God offers mercy and freedom from sin. He gives us the power to carry out his will. Do God’s will and you will always do right. Let the reality of Christ’s power lift you up to real victory over sin.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 8