James 2v12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

We were saved so let us lead others to that savior through showing the mercy shown to us on the cross.

Philippians 3v13 …Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We sometimes let the guilt from the past rob us from the glory of the present and future. It is incredibly important to rest in the fact that Jesus took care of that guilt on the cross. Guilt tends to be a distinguished and immense mental battle for all and we must learn to combat it. The enemy uses this tactic to keep us from becoming the sons and daughters that Christ has empowered us to be. We must not listen to the deception of “I’m not good enough because of what I did,” that is simply not true. Our transgressions, past, present and future are covered, Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He is the savior for all times. Through faith in Christ we are considered righteous in the eyes of God. How powerful is that?!? So let us forget our past and run to our eternal and beautiful future with Christ.

Romans 3v21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

1 John 3v14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

Let love be our first reaction to friends and our enemies so that we can show that we have passed from death to life in Christ. God showed great love to us in sacrificing His only son for our redemption, the least we can do is love as He did.

Matthew 5v46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Isaiah 30v15 15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.

Psalm 46v10 10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret

Psalm 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Take time today to be still. To feel in the quiet that He is Lord of all and His mighty strength is our strength.

John 14v15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

Jesus may have left this world in the flesh but he is alive and present in the Spirit of truth forever. We are never alone, he is here with us always and in a powerful way so that we can live this life to the fullest.

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Matthew 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

What we see is what we get. If we look for glory, keeping our eyes focused on Jesus we will find comfort and peace in even the smallest of things. If our eyes look for the faults in others and the world our soul will reflect that in our actions and ultimately tear us down defeating our testimony.

Just yesterday I found myself focusing on what I didn’t have and where I wish I could be and that truly started to wear me down, effectively dimming my light to a flutter. But the truth is God is in the now, God is working to bring glory to His name ALWAYS and when I turned from seeking defeat to finding the victory, I saw God’s great love in everything from the skyline to the beauty of human interaction.

So let us focus on the good, the joy, and the glorious hope that is found in Jesus Christ in all matters of life so that we can reflect His eternal love to the broken of this world.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.