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Mercy Mandate
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Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. Ephesians 4:31-32
I saw a sign that read, ’ÄúThere is no right way to do wrong.’Äù Those eight words cover it all. We attempt to reason why what we’Äôre thinking, saying or doing is justified. This passage in Ephesians leaves no grey areas. It matters not the infraction we’Äôve no recourse, but to forgive and show mercy. The Lord absolutely left no room for a BUT wedge. BUT’Ķ my neighbor, BUT’Ķ my spouse, BUT’Ķ my co-workers. As they nailed Jesus to the cross He categorically covered every offense and every BUT! There’Äôs absolutely no wrongdoing we’Äôre justified in acting upon. Before acting supposing you’Äôre justified asks, ’ÄúWould Jesus respond in this manner?’Äù I don’Äôt tend to act upon my anger or frustration, I mostly keep it inside. My thoughts however are another matter altogether and the Lord’Äôs been challenging me in this. The venom my mind can spew toward others who have acted or spoken unkindly poisons my whole spirit and being. How can I be an effective tool of love for Jesus in the life of another if I’Äôm harboring anything but kindness, mercy and forgiveness? I can’Äôt!
As Jesus hung on the cross, so badly beaten and scourged He was unrecognizable, the crowd hurling their brutal onslaught of words and I don’Äôt doubt they hurled other things, He asked God to forgive them. Instead of exercising anger, exercise the words that Jesus spoke, ’ÄúFather forgive them.’Äù Live the mercy mandate. You’Äôll soon find you’Äôre more concerned about their soul than their actions.
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Past Lighthouse Living Entries:
June 27, 2012 Deceptive Packaging
June 20, 2012 Assurance NOT Insurance
June 13, 2012 Unexpected Blessing
May 30, 2012 Packing Your Bags
May 16, 2012 Our Being - In Him
May 9, 2012 Know His Annointing
April 18, 2012 This Day's Needs
February 29, 2012 Something New
February 22, 2012 Something New
February 15, 2012 Something New
February 8, 2012 Something New
February 1, 2012 Something New
January 25, 2012 A Perfect World
December 21, 2011 Create Impact
December 14, 2011 Unspeakable Love
December 7, 2011 That's A Wrap
November 30, 2011 Give Gift of HOPE
November 23, 2011 Foot Washing
November 16, 2011 Anti-Depression
November 2, 2011 Investment Portfolio
October 19, 2011 Take A Closer Look
October 12, 2011 A Deliberate God
September 21, 2011 Learning To Lean
September 7, 2011 Drink More Water
August 17, 2011 Stones of Provision
August 10, 2011 Chasing Rainbows
August 3, 2011 Great Expectations
June 29, 2011 One Nation Under God
June 22, 2011 Are You Listening?
June 15, 2011 You've Got Talent
April 27, 2011 Be Careful Little Mouth
April 20, 2011 Nothing To Save
March 23, 2011 Make Your Stand
March 9, 2011 Under Construction
Feb. 23, 2011 Use It OR Lose It
Feb. 16, 2011 What's On The Menu
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Jan. 5, 2011 Peacemakers VS Piece-makers
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Sept. 22, 2010 Undiscovered Treasures
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August 4, 2010 Heart of Worship
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May 12, 2010 A Supporting Cast
February 24, 2010 Face To Face
February 17, 2010 Drifting With Purpose
January 27, 2010 Perfected In Obedience
January 20, 2010 Building Plan
December 16, 2009 Say It Loud And Proud
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November 18, 2009 The Veil Was Torn
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June 24, 2009 Feast During Famine