Tag Archives: mercy

Could Not Say It Better

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Photo by Belle Co on Pexels.com

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of reading on social an article by Benjamin Knight who posted on the Reformation Resurgence. In these troubling days, his words struck me and I could not get them out of my mind. Oh how many need to hear these words and advice in their walking with other Christians and with humanity.

How we long for God’s truth and long to live for Him, looking forward to an eternal life serving Him. Do the scriptures change you when you read them? Have you taken the words to heart and understood who you are standing before Him? I cannot tell you how convicted I am after each sermon when gospel truth is correctly taught. In fact, I leave for home pondering with great wonder at how the Lord prompted one of his beloved shepherds to speak the truth that I personally needed to hear. I reflect on my own sins, my own failures, my own near miss temptations and sit in awe that He has given me truth so that I may repent, ask for forgiveness and do better than I have. I do not take the words of scripture lightly…. I accept them with great care knowing that living for Christ and in Christ is not easy and is a minute by minute decision. Out of which comes either success or failure. If I stay faithful to Him, I will never be lost. While I may wander, He will always find me and place me on the straight path.

Did you know that a puffer fish can inflate itself multiple times over its lifetime to survive? Do we as humans have unlimited “puffer” power or do we die slowly each time we puff ourselves up with our own context of “doctrinal truths” that fit our selfish wants and needs? Do we have such pride in our biblical knowledge that we feel we would rather win debates and argue rather than to take everything to our Holy Father in prayer? Do we thrive in doctrinal truths or do we enjoy walking around wearing crowns of pride to support our own agendas and our own desires?

Scripture is clear the responsibility a Christian should have in their walks with Christ:

Matthew 16:24-28. Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [25] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [26] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. [28] Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8. [7] “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
[8] He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Matthew 7:1-5. [1] “Judge not, that you be not judged. [2] For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. [3] Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? [4] Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:21-23 [21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

I have said many times over one of the best studies I had the honor and privilege to participate in was going over a book by Matthew Henry. The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit helps one become more aware of shortfalls that go along with humanity and of all sinners alike, including Christians. Bringing forth scriptures and doctrinal truths to help understand IN CONTEXT humility and the understanding of what that means. Are we in Christ through humility and grace or are we like the Pharisees, hypocrites and puffed up?

Matthew 23:25-26 [25] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. [26] You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

Psalm 10:2-7 [2] In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
[3] For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.
[4] In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;
all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
[5] His ways prosper at all times;
your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
[6] He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”
[7] His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

So much to say and yet, with the approval of the original author, I do not think I could say it any better. (Permission granted directly by the author, to be kept exactly as was written with mention of the Reformation Resurgence)

To My Fellow Reformed Brothers and Sisters,

There’s something heavy on my heart that I need to get out. It’s something that I wrestle with every day, and I believe it needs to be said—honest and unfiltered.

What good is sound theology if it doesn’t transform how we live and love? Yet, too often, we wear doctrine like a crown of pride rather than a mark of humility.

Being Reformed in India is often a lonely road. We are few and scattered across the nation. The joy of discovering the doctrines of grace is quickly tempered by the challenge of finding others who share this conviction.

Most of my interactions with Reformed believers have been online. Out of countless conversations, only a handful truly reflected humility, grace, and Christ-centred living. The rest were dominated by arrogance—heads full of doctrine, yet hearts devoid of its practical outworking. Theology, intended to humble the soul before God, had become a badge of superiority.

For example, a few days ago, I encountered a guy who called me a heretic over two secondary issues—Sunday worship and baptism. I mentioned that the specific day of worship is not the ultimate concern, citing Colossians 2:16–17. His response? A rigid defence of Sunday as the Christian Sabbath, quoting Calvin and the Westminster Confession of Faith. When I asked, “Have you ever been to a Muslim-majority country where Christians, including Reformed believers, meet on Fridays due to legal restrictions? Does that make their worship any less acceptable to God? What about persecuted believers who can only gather secretly and irregularly—will God reject their worship because it’s not on Sunday?” He ignored the heart of the matter. The conversation shifted to baptism, and his accusations escalated. Because I did not hold to the WCF’s view but the LBC, he insisted I was not truly Reformed and should stop using the term. His arguments, clouded by theological pride, missed the heart of the matter—valuing rigid tradition over Christlike humility.

Too often, we love to quote Calvin, the Puritans, and other historical figures more than we quote the Bible itself. While their contributions are invaluable, their words should never overshadow Scripture. Do we quote Scripture with the same passion we quote Calvin? Do we defend the gospel as fiercely as we defend our theological camp? If this makes a Reformed guy like me uncomfortable, imagine how a new convert or someone from another Christian tradition might feel. If Calvin or the Reformers were alive today, they would be the first to rebuke us for elevating their writings above the Bible. Their goal was to point people to Scripture, not to themselves.

Our ultimate authority is the Bible—not Calvin, not the Puritans, and not the confessions. These men are guides, not the goal. Their writings illuminate the truth, but they are not the source of it. Confessions summarize our beliefs, but they are not infallible. The moment we elevate them to the level of Scripture, we fall into the very error the Reformers stood against.

Our passion for doctrinal precision can sometimes blind us to the heart of the gospel. We become so focused on being theologically correct that we forget to be Christlike. We argue over doctrinal nuances while failing to show love, grace, and patience to those who differ. We can dissect every nuance of predestination, yet if our words tear others down, we betray the very grace we claim to believe. We can recite the Five Points of Calvinism flawlessly, but if our words lack love, we are nothing more than clanging cymbals (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Ask yourself (as I often ask myself): Does my theology make me more like Christ or more like a Pharisee? Am I known for my love and humility, or for my ability to win arguments? The doctrines of grace should produce the most humble, compassionate, and patient people on earth—those who know they are recipients of God’s mercy, not because of their merit but solely because of His sovereign grace. Yet too often, we appear harsh, arrogant, and unapproachable. We win arguments but lose people. We defend truth but forget that truth without love is incomplete and ineffective.

I am not claiming to be prefect in my walk. I, too, stumble and fall short in many ways. There are times when pride creeps into my heart, and I am not as humble as I ought to be. Yet, we are called to grow together, encouraging and challenging one another to walk in greater obedience and faithfulness. As Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” True spiritual growth happens not in isolation but in community, where we lovingly correct, encourage, and build each other up in the truth.

Let our pursuit of sound theology never puff us up with pride. Instead, let it drive us to our knees in humility before the holy God who, by His grace, opens our eyes to His truth. May our knowledge of Him break our pride, deepen our worship, and lead us to love and serve others with the same grace and patience He has shown us.

Some Reminders for a Christlike Life:

Be quicker to listen than to speak. Arguments rarely soften hearts, but a listening ear can open the door to truth (James 1:19).

Pray more than you debate. God alone opens blind eyes (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Serve with joy and humility. Let your actions display the gospel you proclaim (Philippians 2:3-4).

Be patient with those who disagree. God was patient with you (2 Peter 3:9).

So, brothers and sisters, let us return to what matters most—exalting Christ and pointing people to His Word. Let us defend sound doctrine with humility and grace. And let us remember that theology is not about winning debates—it is about knowing, loving, and glorifying God.

The world is watching. What will they see in us?

Soli Deo Gloria.

Jeremiah KnightThe Reformation Resurgence

If you are still reading, I implore you to read that last section again by Jeremiah Knight. Where do you stand within the church body as a whole? Who do you identify with, being Christlike or more like a Pharisee/puffer fish? I hope that you will join in me in self evaluation and be humble in doing so. Understand what motivates all intentions of your daily living, especially as you strive to become more Christlike.

A Little Perspective

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.   2Corinthians 1:3-4

In studying JOB, I have come to understand more clearly the value of trusting God, His Word, and His mercies that are offered to His flock.  Calling out to him over the last year, whether my day was filled with pain or exhaustion, I admittedly had moments where I complained over my circumstances, yet I also knew and had faith that God had a plan.  I was comforted in knowing that He would utilize my situation to His glory and that nothing I go through in this world is too great when I have Him by my side.

I have a picture with a beautiful poem about the Lord carrying us in our times of trouble and the picture has one set of footprints walking in the sand.  Although I enjoy the concept of Him carrying us through this life, I think I would rather consider Him as a partner walking beside me like a seeing eye “friend”.  Pointing out obstacles, directing my footsteps, guiding me down the path of life leading to His narrow gate.  Nurturing me along the journey so that in the end He will be glorified.

One of our questions in our study asked whether we have ever encountered God in a way that transformed our understanding of or attitude toward Him?  We were then asked to share the experience and tell how our view of God was changed.

My answer was yes and I went on to explain.  Our move to our current location was not an easy transition.  We moved to a state that we had never stepped into, knowing absolutely no one, and to top it off it was in the winter.  We lived in a two bedroom apartment for two months while we sought out our current home.  The kids had school and were making friends, my husband had work and new relationships to nurture while I had a realtor once a week.  My days were very lonely.

I had left behind a volunteer position at the kids school that kept me working every day as the school librarian, room mom for one class, a bible study that I had been a part of for 10 years, childhood friends, college friends, family and ladies that I had befriended after our third move.  My involvement with our church included VBS, women’s ministry, fundraisers and the meal delivery service for our brothers and sisters within the church that I was in charge of.   I  was running with kids to Karate classes two days a week, baseball three days a week, dance classes 3 days a week, boy scouts  and brownies every other week and our weekends were spent at a cottage.   To say that I was busy is an understatement.  In fact, one of my friends gave me a mug for my birthday that said, “Note to self:  Stop volunteering for stuff”.

In my loneliness, I found that going to the Lord was giving me encouragement.  In my times of human weakness, however, I sought out to find purpose for myself in our new town.  I thought I needed to be a part of something, other than just looking for a house for the family.  So after a month of spending one day a week cleaning the apartment, grocery shopping and doing laundry, another day going out with the realtor, and the rest of my week spent sitting alone reading the word of God, I went in to our new church and requested a list of activities and groups that our family could be a part of.  I distinctly remember breaking down in tears in front of the secretaries.  Not sure what else to do, they presented me with a list of people to call and activities that may interest us.

One by one we reached out, seeking out purpose, more for myself than the rest of the family.  After all, they were meeting people and making friends.  I was the one who was trying to find my niche.  Each time we reached out, we hit a dead end.  Either the groups were full or after receiving information we decided that the group was not what we were interested in.  Once again, I remember finding myself in tears.  As our second month approached, we had found our house and we were waiting for it to be completed as it had been a new construction.  One more day would be added to my loneliness as I no longer had my day with the realtor.  Another moment of tears.  I remember asking God why and I also remember complaining.

One day, as I was reading His word, I was struck by the time I had to be with Him.  I’m not sure exactly what took place, however, I felt this peace that I had not known since our move.  I came to the realization that prior to our move, my time with Lord was when I could fit Him in, between projects and activities.   I scheduled my time with Him based on what worked for me.  In the two months of being in the apartment I realized that all I had was time to spend with Him.  He had become my best friend, my caretaker, and my encourager.  He was walking beside me and was giving me comfort in my times of loneliness.  I was not alone, I just didn’t have perspective.

I remember thanking Him for all that He was doing for me and my family.  For giving us all that we needed.  Even though we were in a two bedroom apartment and ate dinners at a table in the living room by the couch.  We all have said that they were the best two months we’ve ever had as a family.   As a family, we grew closer, enjoying our time together since we didn’t have any extra curricular activities vying for our time.

I would say that during that time I encountered God as I had not known him before.  The focus in my years prior to our move were spent trying to do all the good in the world, doing all that I could for my family and for others.  I spent time with him when He fit into my schedule, praying while I was driving and in my quiet time upon waking and before bed.   After our move, I had refocused my attention, turning my daily schedule into a time of continued worship of Him.  To my pleasant surprise, my Heavenly Father was there waiting for me and He met with me giving me peace, understanding and perspective.  He didn’t ask me to wait until He had time in His schedule, He was ready and willing to offer mercy, grace, and love when I needed it the most.

Rather than seeing Him as a Holy God who was too busy to notice whether or not I took time out for Him, I realized He was a Holy God who is a jealous God that needed me to take that next step in knowing Him.  I was transformed!  I don’t mean that I became a christian at that point, I knew I was a christian and had been for many years.  I was however, growing in my knowledge of Him and who He truly was.  Humbled by His time with me and my recognition of His Almighty character, I prayed that He would lead me and open doors when He was ready for me to once again serve outside of the home.  I said that prayer in church one night and at the end of the service a woman approached me asking me to be a part of a prayer group.  Timing was everything.  Once again, I thanked Him, knowing that all He wanted me to trust in Him and His plan for my life.   Each experience I have endured since the Lord called me by name has helped me to grow closer to Him and has given me new perspective.

In watching Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer recently with my daughter, I am reminded that sometimes we need to be in a different place, focusing on something other than ourselves to gain perspective.  Not unlike what God did with JOB.  JOB had his own thoughts and considerations in defending himself pridefully with his friends, yet it took God’s audience with JOB to show him a new perspective that included who he was in comparison to who God was.   Isn’t that so like the life of a christian?  When we stray from the herd, our shepherd uses His staff to to gently remind us of our place in the flock.

I challenge you reader to look at your current affliction and look for opportunities to give you a new perspective.  Preferably, allowing God to be a part of that process.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  2Corinthians 4:7-11

 

Rejected or Rejoicing?

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Wearily pulling myself out of self loathing yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit with a friend whom is no longer able to walk and is finishing out her young life knowing that she is fading away into the arms of her savior.  I was so blessed and refreshed by the visit, that I had to ask God’s forgiveness for the moments prior to our time together.   After all, I  had been questioning what good was going to come of such a visit when I was so tired from battling my pneumonia for the last 3 weeks.  I did not feel like smiling, I just wanted to sleep and rest in the comfort of my living room.  Venturing out into the cold was not appealing, even though I had an errand I had to run prior to the visit.  I pondered forgoing the errand and the visit.   It’s amazing how God uses times like those to touch our inner being, reminding us that there is so much to do and so little time for the joy of the Lord to be shared with others.  I came home physically tired, yet spiritually uplifted.   My original intention of visiting my friend was because I thought I was going to bless her, yet, God blessed me instead with a sustainable energy that kept me going for the rest of the night and He reminded me of the grace of humility.

There is no place for self loathing or a self serving attitude for Christians who know Him.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you , declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”      Jeremiah 29:11-14

For the last year, life has had it’s ups and downs with my diagnosis of Lyme Disease.  The loneliness of having a physical disability is only known by those who are also afflicted with such circumstances.  For this reason, I was determined that when I felt better, I was going to start weekly visits with my friend whom I had neglected prior to my own illness.   I remember having the need to visit her, however, I am embarrassed to admit that time was filled with so many other things to do that I never made the time.  I was just too busy, plain and simple.  Isn’t that so like our society today?  We spend so much time doing so many great things that have such little value.  Yet the things that mean so much, we brush aside thinking they are not of great significance.

I challenge you reader to consider your own life and ask yourself this question, “What have I done today that was not for my own gratification?”  If you ask yourself that question and find that you cannot come up with one thing, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and give it a try.  If you are only doing for others so that you will benefit, you have not challenged yourself enough.  Try taking time out of your day to do something for someone that will not have anything to do with benefiting yourself.   Let me explain.  If you partake on a mercy mission for someone else, make sure you are not thinking that it’s for your own benefit or self glorification that you are doing it.   True acts of kindness, love and humility do not come from knowledge, they come from the heart.  Outpouring unconditionally!

Last year there were several wonderful friends who took time out of their days to sit with me or write to me.  The fact that they thought of me and prayed for me was enough, but these women actually took the time out of their busy lives to let me know.  Unconditionally!  From guilt free quilting to those friday pizza nights where I would otherwise have sat here alone.  From e-cards of inspiration to the hand written notes mailed through the post, I was blessed by the giving of their time.  I can only hope that they too felt blessed by the love they shared with this lonely Christian in her time of need for fellowship.

My friend and I sat together yesterday and began reading a book.  Although my friend can no longer read and I am actually doing the reading, our discussions during and afterward were wonderful.  We began the first week with the first two chapters of the book and studying Psalm 13.

How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?  How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?  

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep and the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.  I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.   Psalm 13

We both discussed how blessed we are knowing that we had the fellowship with one another, and the fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ.  David, in writing this psalm, felt alone and abandoned by God, yet he trusted in His love.  He knew God was there or he would not have called out to him to begin with, but he cried out for the reassurance.   He just longed for the fellowship and comfort of the Lord to help with the loneliness  that was overtaking his physical being.  Is this any different than how we feel when we are going through trials?  As Christians we know God is ever present and we can trust in His love, yet we long for that physical fellowship.  It’s in our human nature to have that need, and yet, so many are left in their lonely state.

In both of my studies this week, the same question came up, “Why is it so important to establish a right view of God before adversity hits?”  (CBS JOB commentary)   Both my friend and I agree that in our circumstances we could not get through all that humanity and disease throws at us if we did not have trust in the Lord and trust in salvation.  In saying that, it does not mean we will not have tears and that we will not be discouraged at our current situation.  Just as David was discouraged, he still trusted in “steadfast love” which in turn allowed him to “rejoice in salvation”.   Rejoice…

Rejoicing in the everlasting love of a creator who has chosen us to be a part of his kingdom.  Rejoicing in his blessings of family and fellowship with other like minded brothers and sisters who will share in an eternal life.  Rejoicing in the blessing of vision to see that our sorrows are short lived in this world.  Rejoicing that Jesus Christ took upon himself the sins of mankind to save.  Rejoicing in the Hope and Faith of healing and God’s everlasting care in our lives on this earth.  Rejoicing in knowing Him!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”    Romans 1:16-17