DAY

1

While religious leaders judged sinners, Jesus extended mercy to them.

FATHER, how many are the times I have judged others! I have looked on outward appearance and presumed others were sinners. Please set me free from this attitude. Give me a compassion and love that embraces everyone I know.

I must remember that everyone has sinned, even myself
—Isa 53:6; Rom 3:23; Rom 5:12

People who are self-righteous don’t understand mercy.

Luke 7:48-50 And He said unto her (the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears), Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace.

DEAR LORD, let me never forget it is Your mercy that has set me free from sin. If I grow self-righteous, please convict me. Remind me of the pit from which I have been drawn. Work with me till I become a channel through which Your mercy will flow to others.

A repentant sinner gains the mercy of God.

Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are ... And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

FATHER, I rest in Your mercy, and in that alone. I have nothing of goodness in which to boast before You. Now, LORD, please draw me to become a good person. Let me never be content with any sin—especially the sin of spiritual pride.

We rejoice because the mercy of the Lord endures forever—Psalm 117:1, 2

 

Jesus became like us that in His mercy He might bring us to God.

Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

MERCIFUL HIGH PRIEST, I worship You. I extol Your Name, the highest of all names. I submit myself to Your grace that brings me to Your Father. Oh, what grace You are showing me! What amazing love!

Jesus washed us from our sins in His own blood and made us priests unto God
—Rev 1:4-6

We cannot know how sinful indeed we are till the Holy Spirit convicts us.

LORD, I am so glad Your Spirit brought conviction to my heart. I praise You for showing me how great a sinner I am! Thank You for bringing me into Yourfold. Now, please let Your Spirit bring me on to maturity.

Whoever will come to the light will receive freedom fromcondemnation—Jn 3:18-21

All manner of sin can receive God’s mercy but one,
the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Matt. 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

FATHER, let me never blaspheme Your Spirit. If I have done this without being aware, please forgive and cleanse me. Even if in ignorance I have been critical of the movements of Your Spirit, cleanse me. Give me a pure and sensitive heart that can acknowledge Your Spirit.

We can become aware of the different manifestations of the Holy Spirit—I Cor 12:1-11

Acts 2:37,38 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

DEAR LORD, let conviction from Your Spirit fall on us in the Church. Let those among us who continue holding sin in our hearts be drawn to repentance. Oh, we long for the great movement of Your Spirit the Prophet Joel promised would come in the last days.

The Prophet Joel told of the last days—Joel 2:28-32

THE LORD JESUS FAVORED NO ONE OVER THE OTHER, BUT POINTED ALL TO THE GREAT MERCY OF HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN. We see clearly how He responded to those seeking answers from Him.

The Lord Jesus gave a compelling answer to a religious leader.

John 3:2,3 The same (Nicodemus, a religious ruler of the Jews) came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi (Teacher), we know that Thou art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily (indeed, indeed), I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

LORD, I know many try to enter Your Kingdom by listening to religious discussions aboutYour Kingdom. Many do this regularly, once a week. I don’t want to be one of these. I want to know You intimately. I want to be certain I’ve been born of Your Spirit. Oh, let me have a continuing communion with You!

Those trying to keep God’s Law without being born of His Spirit will stand guilty before Him—Rom 3:19,20

A woman with her life in shambles was transformed
by an encounter with Jesus.

John 4:13-15 Jesus answered and said unto her (the woman at the well outside Samaria), Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto Him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

DEAR LORD, I praise You for the wellspring You have opened in me. Oh, let that Living Water flow out from me to others who thirst. Let it flow on and on, till everyone around me has partaken of it, and had the chance to receive the light and life of Your Kingdom.

Jesus told how the Holy Spirit would flow like a river of living water from those who believe—Jn 7:37-39

A nobleman’s faith in Jesus’ power to heal
was rewarded by the restoration of his son.

John 4:46b,47 And there was a certain nobkman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the Word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

DEAR LORD, what a powerful Savior You are! How full of mercy You are toward us who suffer pain because someone in our family is ill! I worship You for this. Please release Your mercy and power toward these I hold before You. We have no hope but You.

The nobleman’s faith in Jesus and His Word brought healing to his son—Jn 4:46-54

Even the misplaced faith of a sick man gained the attention
of the Lord Jesus.

John 5:6-8 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto film, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered Him, sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole.......

LORD, for many around me, their faith is misdirected. They look to relics, rituals, places and preachers who mislead them. In Your mercy You have touched many of us who have had misdirected faith. What a merciful Savior You are! Please bring these I hold before You into a pure and positive trust in You.

Our merciful Lord knows us all—Ps 142:1-7

 

THE LORD JESUS HAS SPECIFIC TRAINING FOR THOSE OF US WHO WILL BE HIS DISCIPLES. He sometimes puts us to tests that will cause us to grow in faith and in character.

Sometimes Jesus will draw His disciples over into the working of miracles.

Those close to the Lord sometimes fail in their faith,
but He remains merciful.

John 6:18-21 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received Him (Then they wanted to receive Him) into the ship: and immediately the ship was (came to be) at the land whither they went.

MERCIFUL LORD, here we are. We have moved with presumption and now we are in trouble. It’s a fearsome spot we’re in. Our only hope is in Your mercy. Oh, great High Priest, show us Your mercy—today!

In His mercy, the Lord will be our refuge and defence in our time of trouble
—Ps 59:16,17

 

Some who walk for a while with the Lord become discouraged and go away.

John 6:66-68 From that time many of His disciples went away, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve. Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.

DEAR LORD, I believe You have sealed my heart. It is my confidence that I will never turn from You. But, LORD, let me not walk in presumption. Let there not be one day that I turn aside from communion with You. Teach me to always dwell in the light of Your presence.

In His goodness the Lord will lead us—Ps 25:4-9

 

THE LORD JESUS KNOWS HIS DISCIPLES ARE UNABLE TO FULFILL HIS COMMISSION WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Therefore He made promise to send the Holy Spirit after He went back to his Father.

 

Jesus gave promise that the Holy Spirit would come to those who thirst.

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

LORD, there is one thing for certain about me. It is this: I thirst after Your Spirit. All that You have done in my life up to now only causes me to thirst for more. How gracious and loving You are to all of us! Please cause these I now hold before You to thirst more and more for the wonderful Living Water You give.

The quest of the thirsting soul—Ps 42:1-5

Jesus will show mercy to those whom many religious people will condemn.

John 8:3,4,7 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act ... So when they continued asking Him, He ... said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

LOVING LORD, I have no merit of my own to make me acceptable for Your Kingdom. Without Your mercy I would be as condemned as any person in the world. Oh, I praise You again and again for the grace You have extended to me! Please let that grace flow on through me to others.

We who were once enemies are now reconciled to God—and we have received the ministry of reconciliation—Col 1:21,22; II Cor 5:18-20

John 8:10,11 When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman. He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

LORD, how I praise You that You forgive sinners! Oh, what grace! What grace! What love and mercy You have shown me! I could go on and on praising and worshiping You. Thank You for receiving me with love. Thank You for keeping me close to Your heart.

Our accusers will not be found in the final day of judgment—Isa 41:11,12; Lk 9:56

Jesus has called us out of darkness into His glorious light.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

I John 1:7 But if we walk (without ceasing) in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus ChristHis Son cleanseth (cleanses and cleanses and cleanses us without ceasing) us from all sin.

GRACIOUS LORD, I am learning to love the light. It exposes me, but I have learned that Your blood continues to cleanse me. Oh, let that precious element of grace move over my soul! Let it make me not only pure before You but also pure for my testimony’s sake.

Our Lord has called us out of darkness to walk as children of light—Eph 5:8-12

 

 

THE LORD JESUS BROUGHT LIGHT AND LIFE INTO THE WORLD THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM.
This light and life come from out of eternity and bring us on into eternal life.

We find our freedom in the truth that Jesus brought into the world.

Jn 8:31b,32 ... If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Ps 25:5 Lead me in Thy fruth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.

Oh, DEAR LORD, the Psalmist’s prayer is mine: Lead me in Your truth, and teach me. You are the God of my salvation. I am learning to abide in Your presence. I am learning to hear Your voice. I praise You that I need never be apart from Your guiding light.

As the Prophet exhorted us, we are learning to walk in God’s new way
—Isa 2:3; 30:21; 35:8; 54:13

 

We are called to continue in the freedom Christ has brought into our lives.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

LOVING LORD, I praise You for this freedom that now is mine! I praise You that the stranglehold sin once held on me is broken! Oh, give me the grace and the wisdom to stand fast in this liberty! Let me now be an instrument of liberation for others.

As steadfast believers, we are learning to stand steadfast
—Pro 23:23; I Cor 15:58; I Cor 16:13

 

Christ Jesus has done a work in our lives from which we shall not turn back.

Heb 10:38,39 Now the just shall live by faith (a just person shall live out of the resources that his or her faith provides): but if any man (anyone) draw back (withdraws from the faith), my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction); but of them that believe to the saving (saving and preservation) of the soul.

DEAR FATHER, I praise You for the faith Your spirit has released in my spirit. Thank You for the bountiful resource You have opened to us who are willing to believe, and keep on believing. Please let my life reflect Your grace and mercy, so others can know this amazing salvation You give to those who repent and believe.

Without faith it is impossible to please the Lord—Heb 11:1-6