Mercy Scorned

ALL – Psalm 109:1-31
ALL – Proverbs 27:13
OT – Ezekiel 23:1-49
NT – Hebrews 10:18-39

Interesting passage for the day: Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled underfoot the Son of God and treated his cleansing blood as though it were common and unhallowed, and insulted and outraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people. – Hebrews 10:29, The Living Bible

Thought: If someone’s offering you mercy, what happens when you turn it down?

That’s a question we don’t think about too often. But if you owe a debt, and someone else offers to pay it, who has to pay the debt if you turn the offer down? If a judge tries to let you out of jail early, and you say, “No, thanks,” who finishes the jail term? If you mistreat someone’s sister, and he offers you a choice between promising to stay away from her forever and getting the tar beat out of you, and then you respond that he can’t keep you away from her, who has to face the fury of his fists?

If someone’s offering you mercy, what happens when you turn it down? You pay. Plain and simple.

So when Jesus Christ dies on the cross in your place, and you deny that His blood can do anything for you, what happens?

Let’s not scorn and insult the mercy of God.

Question: Have you ever considered walking away from your faith in Jesus? Or have you been rejecting His mercy all along? Considering that it’s God’s mercy we’re talking about here, how sure are you that you’re safe to reject it?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.

Personal Evangelism Obstacle – Pay Me!

ALL – Psalm 33:12-22
ALL – Proverbs 21:11-12
OT – Nehemiah 7:61-9:21
NT – 1 Corinthians 9:1-19

Interesting passage for the day: Under this circumstance, what is my pay? It is the special joy I get from preaching the Good News without expense to anyone, never demanding my rights. – 1 Corinthians 9:18, The Living Bible

Thought: What if pastors, evangelists and missionaries all went on strike? What if they all banded together and said, “No more Good News for you until you pay me what I deserve?”

Don’t get me wrong. Many of us are compensated well beyond what we need. But on the other hand, clergy frequently serve wholeheartedly at great sacrifice to themselves. In fact, it’s so common for clergy to be underpaid that sometimes congregations respond scornfully to ministers to suggest that they might need a little more compensation.

What I love about Paul is that he’s not focused on rights. That’s not an excuse to God’s people, letting them off the hook from doing what’s right toward God’s servants. But Paul finds his joy and fulfillment in preaching the Good News. And because he doesn’t depend on anyone in the Corinthian church to provide him with food and clothes, he is able to share the Gospel with them whether they pay him or not. What Paul celebrates is not his right to be paid, but his privilege to carry Good News from city to city and region to region!

Question: What would it take to get you to introduce people to Jesus Christ? Would you have to be paid and compensated well first? Or are you already free to share? If so, are you sharing?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.