dennis j adams

…“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”… (John 12:21 ESV)

The conclusive statement by these Greeks that had come to the feast and they heard that Jesus was there. Their hope was to meet with Him on their terms. The value of this request will never be known because Jesus did not grant them an audience. The reasoning about such a meeting can never be approached with surety and also quality for the Lord chose not be be seen by these visitors at the feast. His disciples did not encourage the matter either. The inquisitive mind may bring all sorts of assumptions forward to comfort such a scripture and to be able to have a knowledge  of what the Holy spirit meant by adding this for the ages to read. The one true fact is they requested a meeting and Jesus denied such, not by stating a refusal but by pursuing what He was all about on this earth. Jesus placed the request on a deeper spiritual level than these Greeks defined as a casual audience with the Son of Man. Jesus brought to the forefront of all that were there is that many will come seeking Him but He is not yet ready to be glorified so that the whole earth will see Him as the Risen Son of God.

Had these requests come to Jesus throughout His ministry thus far? One could assume with great confidence that the crowds were full of people seeking to have an audience with Him. From the people He came to heal to the most pompous and zealous of the religious world a that time. The manner that Jesus took in granting audiences was when He was confronting issues that pertained to the hypocrisy and manipulation of the precepts of men to congregate the people and have them serve through religious activities that brought no value to God or themselves. The vicious and treacherous religious rulers of that day were turning God’s people from seeing Jesus and abiding man made laws and precepts upon precepts. Their hearts were far from Him….(Mark 7:6) Jesus always chose the meetings and the people that were aloud to bless Him or anoint Him with oil. The day that Zacchaeus was seeking to see Jesus He made such an effort that Jesus witnessed this to Him by going to His house for lunch. (Luke 19:1-5) Zacchaeus though would be granted the audience he desired.

The Greeks remind the heart of how people can be in referencing the viewing of a Savior and the power of the Holy Spirit.  So many people run from gathering to gathering in hope to see Jesus in a spiritual atmosphere of the miraculous. What they often view and applaud the spectacles of men. The nature of Jesus is one that desires that the Father be seen and heard not a man. The audience that all have need of is that place where God meets the sinner at an altar and there is godly sorrow which bring repentance to salvation. (2 Corinthians 7:10) Jesus was not being condescending or evasive it was not His time to show all the world His heart, He had yet to be glorified. His death was about to be pronounced by Him publicly and honorably witnessed by God in Heaven. (John 12:27-30)

Spiritually Jesus had the meeting with the Greeks. He showed them the depth of His existence and He spoke to them through others that must have brought a response to them. Did Philip relay Jesus response as He spoke out openly about dedication and surrender to Him? Had He gone to far in distance from them or did they follow as others and hear the voice of God bear witness to His Son? One could assume this comfortably but the assurance will always be in the actions of the heart.

Jesus was about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49) and that always outweighed casual meetings or demands of men. Just as the heart really looks for a comfort or solace from a distance, Jesus does not He seeks to draw all men unto the Father. The hunger these Greeks had was to see Him but His hunger was to glorify His Father and to be glorified. His message was to declare the the love of God through His suffering and death that all men, Greek, Scythian, Jew, barbarian. slave or free. He is all in all (Colossians 3:11) To assume that he Greeks went away sensing rejection would be determined on shallow understanding to what Jesus did spiritually for them. The Christ, the Savior, had knowledge of men and their self-centered reasoning. They saw Him but on His terms.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)

Immediately after one receives the Lord Jesus as Savior this thought of righteousness and prosperity breaks into the life of the new believer. The newness of Christ and His Love penetrates the bitterness of the soul and creates a clean heart and right spirit. The growth of the new believer is likened to a child’s growth so the beginning stages are full of answered prayers and soft trials. However, when the maturity begins to unfold the capability of the believer is tried and through suffering. God’s Grace becomes more apparent instead of just the entrance into His Kingdom. The one thing that is never a popular subject in a Christians life is the suffering that occurs during the nurturing and life cycle of maturing into the fullness of Christ. The ability to be blinded to this is certainly not a gift but a camouflage or a mirage that the enemy of the soul sets up to deceive the believer. Without the suffering part of Christianity there will be a great chasm between the wisdom and knowledge of God and His ways. Often all that is referred to is what the Lord can do for you and how He will bless you and keep you. This is absolutely true but there is the suffering part. The patriarchs of old and the disciples who walked with Jesus all suffered for the caused of Christ. The point is really simple: The cost that Christ paid for the believer to become reconciled with God was through suffering and much grief.

When viewed with an open heart to learn about the passion and compassion that Christ displayed in His life and then the ultimatum that He stated to His disciples: And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 ESV) Discerning the truth is a matter of hope for the soul. The literal statement portrays the believer as one who is willing to set all wants and desires aside and place self below the comforts of life. To embrace the a personal cross daily and follow the steps of Jesus Christ. His disciples did and those throughout history have that really wanted to learn of Him and know of His wisdom and understanding. Believers must go through this suffering in life to be properly established in His Kingdom and the work  thereof.

The virtues of a life in Christ are challenged by the enemy as the journey through life continues. The strengthening of character comes (Romans 5:3-4) the believer perseveres through the anguish and shortcoming that cause suffering. To name the Name of Christ Jesus may cause suffering in a life where Christianity is not respected nor tolerated. The Gospel of Jesus Christ should be spoken in power and it will establish the platform for truth in every heart. Through the suffering and praying the attends a distressful and agonized heart the Lord breaks through and begins a process of restoration and confirms His peace in the heart. The strength needed will be given by His Grace and the strength that the Lord will infuse in the Spirit will bring courage and a deep faith. To be established by the Lord in His eternal reign and utmost power entails learning to grow in Him and share in the sufferings of learning to trust and rely on His love. This all given each believer knowing that His presence is sure and His overshadowing wing will keep them through life’s journey. (Psalm 91) Having hope and standing firm on the road to destinies end, where there is a place built by Jesus for the believer to come and then the sight and knowledge of God will be clear and the journey applauded. (1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7 ESV)

Spiritual growth is to be considered one of the most applicable effects on the soul and will of mankind. The Word goes forth and is sown into the heart of the hearer and faith is birthed. The seed by which the Word came was through faith and the person receives that faith in hope of spiritual renewal. The Lord uses sowers to sow the seed of His Word into the hearts of people everyday. Knowing that each one that hears will be able to have the Word implanted into the heart where the fallow ground has been broken up. The hardness of a heart can be changed, softened and renewed by the power of God’s Word through His Holy Spirit. It is not man’s wisdom that will change a person but through the influence of a Word sown into a heart prepared by God to receive. As the sower sows there is a hope in the prospect of one coming along and watering what has been sown. Not a hope that the Word sown will be dug up or not fertilized by grace and mercy. His will for our lives is to be fully perfected in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 4:11-17) The wonders of God’s Word never cease to amaze as a person grows spiritually and matures into a vibrant personality with the characteristics of integrity, morality and holiness.  As one eats food daily to be sustained in this physical life there must be a balance of spiritual food processed through the heart and soul so that a spiritual life will healthy also.

We consider men to be super-giants of faith and make demigods of their personalities which in the short run of things takes us away from the production God has for our lives. The fact to consider is that no matter who the sower is or the one who waters they are not anything compared to the One who permits growth and spiritual depth to the soul of man. The kindness of God to permit mankind to carry His Word into the earth with power is a depth of grace that is rarely mentioned. His willingness to embrace the distant sinner with His Word knowing that faith instilled will bring a heart to its fullest. What matters is that the Lord brings growth and through that growth the maturity brings the fullness of Christ into each life.

Through Christ Jesus we find hope in an Eternal Father that desires the shallow part of humanity which is so deeply carnal to be able to sip on milk and grow into being a spiritual warrior that can be sustained by the meat of the Word of God. As growth prepares the heart for more of His love and knowledge of His purpose for your life, know that He will always cause growth in a heart that is open to His love.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)

What you may think you own you do not. The earth and all that dwell in it belong to the Lord. (Psalm 24:1) His Kingdom has no end and His mercy will endure throughout eternity. The grace that God has given each is one that allows the inheritance of Jesus to be shared with those that have been adopted into His family. (Romans 8:15:) To define your life is to be complete in who you are. The character that you have and share on the outside should match what is on the inside. You are a steward of God’s grace and His mercy. What you have in the physical realm is what God has given you and that you should be a steward of. Being a servant is not just serving who you desire but to be a servant to all. The greatest people in the kingdom of God are the servants. It is not having it all or being lifted up above all it is giving all to those that you come in contact with. How marvelous it is to know that to serve replicates just what Jesus did on this earth. He washed the feet of His disciples in the midst of His servant-hood here on earth. (John 13:5) Maintaining a grace that is poured out into the life of a child of God is a life long task and ministry in itself. To be graceful does not mean that you must be manner able but forgiving and willing to be last so another could be lifted up.

Sharing is not a concept that should be considered a “new” thing or a action that will bring the good news of Jesus Christ to your heart in a more favorable manner. Sharing is a heavenly gift that will always bring a return into the hearts of many not just the one sharing. Giving of oneself to the Lord is the beginning of a life of true stewardship which is sanctified by the presence of God’s mercy in your life. To share is what God did when He shred His Son, Jesus Christ, into our lives that we would be called sons and daughters of His Lordship and Fatherhood.

One of the greatest actions we can do in our lives is to love one another and share that love in the same manner as God loved us. Unselfishly and without remorse or condition. Caring with compassion and having a passion to live a life that is pleasing to God. Complaining never brings the result that we hope for but only interferes with what God desires to bless you with. Always keep in your heart the destiny that God has for you and the abundance of His promise of a full life which allows overflow. The cost of this gift we have of grace is not from our emotional character but His. He shared that with us because He loves us with a love we fully cannot understand but we can embrace it with faith and hope. Each person has a gift from the Lord and no matter what that gift is we are constrained and obligated to share that with those we come in contact with. God desires to use His children in a graceful manner as He shows His love through trustful stewards of His hearts desire. Be a good steward and love people by sharing Him daily… God will strengthen you every moment… (1 Peter 4:11) His love is perfect. (Colossians 3:14)

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

All Scripture is intended to bring the reader and the hearer into a deeper relationship with God.. The testimonies, parables along with poetry and fiction is brought into existence the change the heart and the character of mankind. Jesus Christ became flesh so all could understand the spiritual depth of the Word of God. He is the Word of god becoming flesh on this earth (John 1:1) Living out the Scriptures before all will be a rewarding life and also one that will bring criticism and often ridicule from friends and family. Every one who reads the Scriptures and lives the mount is prepared for mocking and the the absolute hate will come.  Jesus was hated by men for who He was and what He proclaimed. (Luke 21:17) The Word of God goes where man cannot go and it will do what man cannot do, every time. The Scripture is a sharp two-edged sword separating good from evil and bringing out the truth a man’s heart. The reason being is that it is alive and active going where God sends it and never returning to Him void. (Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11) What makes God’s Word so unique is that He breathed it out into existence. He spoke the Word and creation happened. he commanded the stars to hang in the heavens and the sun to warm the earth. His Word has come to this earth and became flesh so mankind could be brought into righteousness through Him.

Each person who reads the Word becomes knowledgeable of God’s love for mankind and His steadfast protection for His children. Yes, the Word of God brings reproof and correction with deep love. Man’s nature is full of iniquity and the heart is most evil but he Word of God breaks that nature and replaces the evil heart with one that has been sanctified unto Him. Having God’s Word in the heart will keep you from sinning against Him. (Psalm 119:11) His Word is a lamp to your feet and light to your path (Psalm 119:105) When a person learns of the righteousness of God and His Holiness there becomes a dynamic desire to change and become more like Him. For When Jesus comes we will be like Him and see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2) Growing in God’s love comes from the Word being sown into the heart and then watered by the Holy Spirit which brings forth a maturity and fullness in Christ Jesus. There are some though that will hear the Word but never react to it. They are  like people who see their image in a mirror but forget that image when they turn from it. (James 1:22-24) There are those who say they know the Word but speak words that twist the format of God’s Word into a self building character that takes the place of God and puts man in the center. (Jude 1:13)

The Word of God will not ever be dead nor inactive in any way. It will always bring deliverance and bold truth the the listener. It is pure and holy, full of power and conquering the enemy at all times. The Word will bring righteousness into each heart and comfort each one. The Scriptures will lead you through life and bring purpose to your thoughts and actions. The Scriptures when read and meditated on daily will bring success and delight to the soul. (Psalm 1:2-3; Joshua 1:8) God’s Word never fails…

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. (Psalm 40:2 ESV)

Going forward in life does not mean that you are not feeling “bogged” down or in a quagmire or sump. There are some real difficult times that come in life and the necessity of deliverance is inevitable. The working of God’s power in your life is necessary and welcomed in these times of struggle and unrewarding circumstances. The painful days of failure and the scolding of the enemies lies which often paralyze the personality. Taking away the will to go forward or the fight to break loose from the miry bog. A circumstance that could include a death to a dream or the end of a hope for something needed. The reference to miry bog of as some would say a “clay” refers to dust mixed with moisture that becomes very sticky and hard to walk through. When a life overwhelms you or some news comes that is traumatic, unwanted, situation has instilled itself to accompany you along your way. Call out to the Lord and He will show mercy to you. Be patient along the way and do not give up seeking help and healing from the One True God, who is your deliverer and Savior. His mercy will rewrite your life and His mercies never come to an end and are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-24)

Being drawn up not through is to be noticed here along with the placement of your feet as He sets you down. Now on a solid rock not on a soft mushy surface which makes it difficult to perform in life righteously. This rock is a steadfast love and commitment of God to keep you from the evils of this life and to bless your goings and your comings each day. (Psalm 121) The security of God’s revelation into your life of His forgiveness and willingness to adopt you into His family. Having Jesus Christ as your Savior and the knowledge of His Holy Spirit bringing comfort and joy everlasting into your heart.

Having your feet step onto a secure location is one way of saying that when you plan your life it is important to realize that God orders your steps. (Proverbs 16:9) If your plans seem right to you there is a check point, called the place of prayer, where you can go and get counsel from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:3) He will direct your steps and sanctify your plans. (Proverbs 19:21) There is a world that is full of insecurities and false promises that build up hope that is not hope at all but miry bog that will keep you from accomplishing your dreams. The Lord desires to give you His best and an eternity with Him. Destruction has never been the plan for God’s creation. For those who call upon Him shall be delivered and established securely in His Kingdom. His promises are sure and steadfast with hope which anchors our soul throughout the ages. (Hebrews 6:19) He reaches to you wherever you are and takes hold of you no matter what the condition and will forgive you with a pure heart and love. Rinsing you from the miry bog and placing you on that rock of His promised deliverance from sin and deprecation so the plans of your destiny will be fulfilled.  Sing a new dong unto the Lord….

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)

What a wonderful morning it must have been!  He came into this world in an unobserved location, a place where no one would want to birth a King!  He came to a world that He created and He came to save it and prepare it for the Kingdom of God.  Who was there during these wonderful moments in time?  Mary, the mother of Jesus, Joseph and the animals, which were being sheltered in the manger that night were the only ones present.  It was not clean like a hospital or even did it have the comfort of an inn, it was s manger a place that kept animals and their grains.  The Holy Spirit led them there, to this place of the Child’s birth.  She came and delivered this child pondering all that has been promised to her by the angel Gabriel.  It must have been a moment that was awesome in time.  When Jesus gave forth His first cry would end with a cry from the Cross of Calvary!  The gentle touch of His mothers’ hand upon His body would someday be replaced with the hands of Roman soldiers beating Him and nailing Him to a Cross.  A crowd yelling “Crucify Him, Crucify Him…” would replace the shepherds that came to honor Him and then go and tell all of what they had witnessed. The three kings that brought Him gifts from afar would one day understand the importance of the myrrh, gold and frankincense.  The angels that were singing praises unto His name at His birth would also witness from heaven the crucifixion of the One who created them.  This Child would take His first steps on the earth that would try to contain Him and place Him in a dark tomb.  But He knew that He would rise and conquer death and give victory over life.  This Child that felt the gentleness of the embrace of the arms that would care for Him would be alone in the Garden of Gethsemane praying unto the Father for this burden to be lifted, the burden of the sin of this world.  His birth was a signet to all mankind that the Savior has been born!  The Emmanuel, the Christ, the Anointed One has come from eternity into time to reconcile man back to the Father and eternity.  His purpose was to be born in flesh and live a life of purity and holiness, not to sin but to redeem man from his sin.  He did just that and He never faltered in His purpose. It all started by a promise and it became a fulfillment when one early morning a Child cried His first cry and heaven heard it and rejoiced.  The Savior has been born to the world!  He has been given to us as a Savior and King, what wonderful gift – that of Salvation through Him!

Dennis

Remember Prayer moves the Hand of God.

The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. (Isaiah 59:15-17 ESV)

He knew shepherds would come and witness Him as a Child, Christ Jesus, and their wonder would be amazing.  He knew the angels would herald the first announcement of God’s Son being born.  What could they have been thinking?  Can this be the Savior of the world? Could this be the One that has been promised through the prophets?  The scriptures speak of this marvelous birth in such a way that these shepherds must have known of the coming Messiah.  The heavenly host would praise God in such a beautiful song: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’ (Luke 2:14) Shepherds would decide to go and see this miracle of a “promised Savior” (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2); for the angels had told them a Savior had been born in Bethlehem.  They would know it was Him by seeing Him in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (Luke 2:12).  Oh, the wonder of it all.  He knew the He is the King of kings and would be born through a virgin’s womb. The Deliverer of Israel would step into time, which was created for mankind!  But as a child in a manger!  A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes! He knew the kind of sign this would be!  Of course, it is the true fulfillment of the scriptures.  He knew as Child that He would grow into a man, the God-man, and would redeem the world and reconcile mankind back to God the Father. He would become a man of sorrows.  He would be beaten and smitten for our transgressions; His hunger for sanctification and holiness would surpass the temptations from the devil in the desert experience.  He would walk the streets of Capernaum and know that people would not have faith to believe but He would not stop sharing the goodness of God.  Miracle after miracle He would bring glory to the Father of Lights. He knew that one day those that He came to save would turn against Him and cry out “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13) During His time on this earth, He would touch the lives of the sinner, the impoverished, kings and priests.  He would not even join in the politics of this earth. He knew His kingdom was not of this world.  He knew He would grow to teach the elders in the temple. He would turn out the money changers in the temple.  He would heal the lame and the paralytic on the Sabbath. He knew He was coming to bring change to the perverse world that had been cursed from sin and disobedience to His Father.  Why? The simple reason is this: He loves us with a love that was determined to overlook the faults and the fears of our hearts.  He has the confidence of a warrior that could not be defeated.  He knew that He was coming as the Messiah, the Chosen One.  He knew He would conquer death and the grave to set us free to worship Him.  He knew He was coming as a child and to die and rise as a King!  He knew that His Father would speak openly from the heavens and say, ‘This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) It is good to know that He knew what He was coming to do!

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:42-44 ESV)

Born into a world of turmoil and grief with only one way to go and that is forward into life. That may sound hopeless to some but actually it is a very positive outlook on life’s journey. The knowledge of the of the Lord in your life keeps life as an abundant experience which is blessed and protected by His great love. The example set by Jesus in communion with the Father is absolutely the mirrored image we all should life on this earth. Knowing that God hears our prayers gives us confidence along the way. (1 john 5:14) Giving us courage and spiritual supply to meet our every need. (Philippians 4:19) We are witnesses to God’s glory and also to His miraculous work that He chooses o do through us according to our faith. A faith that is measured out to us by His Holy spirit and grows as it is sown into life and the experiences we have. The “more that conqueror” spirit reigns in our lives because of His grace which is gifted to us daily. How will they believe in Him if we are silent in our faith and afraid to accomplish the impossible while serving a God who can do all things. We are promised the the power that works with in us can ans will do exceedingly and abundantly more that we could ever ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20) The “dunamas” or explosive power of the Holy Spirit lives within us and we can do all thing through Him. (Philippians 4:13) Rendering our will to His and trusting on the promise of fulfillment which He has given to each of us.

Just what can He do in the midst of a viewing crowd. He can call out that which is dead and bring it back to life. The Lord asked Ezekiel if the bones in the valley could live… Ezekiel stated that only the Lord knows this answer. (Ezekiel 37:3) The offering of all trust to God will bring life to all your circumstances and ares where you may have  thought they were finished. The enemy may be successful in convincing you that something has no life in it anymore and it should be forgotten and let go. But when the Lord speaks to that which is buried and wrapped up in your mind it will come back to life. Your ideas and your dreams may look stagnant but they are alive and waiting for the call of God. The hope that your have is alive and thriving as you move forward in your life. Keep a faithful prayer life and a listening ear to the voice of the Lord. When He calls out to your dreams and desires which will receive His breathe (Holy Spirit) upon them, they will rise up and walk out from the darkness of stagnation and despair. Yet they may seem lifeless but they are alive. Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV)

He will speak to your heart to unwrap the dream and set liberty to it. The hopelessness that you may have felt was but for a moment for what He has created in you lives forevermore…

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13 ESV)

A life that has no mercy in it, is a life that will be judged harshly and will not be comforted. Mercy is forgiveness and grace shown to an individual which has opportunity to continue to respond to God in a rational relationship. His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1) and He desires to show mercy to the merciful. (Matthew 5:7) His will has always been and will always be to love His creation. This is proven by how He gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the World. When compared to the greatness of God and His love one can not fathom the depth of His wisdom toward mankind. The steps of being merciful actually goes against the nature of man. To show mercy from the carnal mind and nature is difficult to say the least and usually is coupled with a underlying reason or competitive edge. The Lord shows mercy because He is merciful and just. His ways are much higher than ours and so our His thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) To have victory in life there must be the additive of mercy along with grace. Showing grace to a another person and being merciful will bring the same into your life. What you sow that is what you will reap. (Galatians 6:8) Sowing to the flesh will reap the things of the flesh but sowing to the Spirit will bring the benefits of the Spirit into your life. (Psalm 68:19)

Journeying through life without the help of mercy can make every step of the way seem difficult and unbearable. The inner-man struggling with turmoil and facing its own temptations which give way to sin. The judgment of men coming against one another in already cruel world where selfishness and unselfishness find common ground in being centered on the heart of man. When the debt collector showed mercy to the one in debt, he the debtor should have continued in this action toward others and he did not. (Matthew 18:27-34) Yet, as the Lord taught the disciples on prayer he placed the forgiveness to be on the side of being forgiven and forgiving. The process is that when mercy is shown to you you must also show mercy to others. It is not a pick and choose but a truth that brings forth the response of compassion and willingness to pour mercy on life’s wounds.

What poured out from Christ on the Cross was mercy and that has continued throughout the ages. His words as He spoke from the Cross were merciful words and His response to men who ridiculed Him daily were words of mercy. He showed mercy to the merciful and compassion to those without a shepherd. (Mark 6:34) Showing mercy is not difficult when you actually live faithful life which is committed to the Gospel of Christ and you have taken up your cross to follow him daily. His will and His love have directed you to the place of repentance and from that platform you have changed into a mercy bearer. You carry in your soul the weight of mercy that Christ has gifted you with so that others will obtain mercy. Show yourself merciful and you will receive God’s mercy. The fact of mercy becomes the souls prayer since you have been revealed that mercy comes when it is not deserved.

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.