Month: February 2025

Harboring the Lost

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I harbored a runaway the other day, and here’s the story.

I was getting comfortable in my husband’s easy chair one morning while drinking a hot beverage before jumping in the shower. As I sat down, I noticed movement in the the neighbor’s driveway. I saw a dog running around, skittish, uncertain of where he was, as if he didn’t belong. I got up from my easy chair and walked to the sliding door to see where the animal went. He ran over to the other side of my house and to the other neighbor’s yard. I opened the door and whistled. He spotted me and came running to the side of the deck before taking off again to the pond area. I realized I would need to rescue him, so I hurriedly dressed in warmer clothes. He didn’t know where he was or how to get home.

I opened the door to look for him again. As I looked around, I realized he was at the deck waiting for me. I convinced him to come up onto the deck, and I bribed him with a piece of meatball to come closer. With each bite I offered, he came a little closer until finally with that final bite, I was able to grab his collar. I saw the name and phone number of his owner on that collar, so I pulled the dog into my house on that cold and snowy day. As I called the number, the dog investigated my home. He realized another of his kind had recently been there. He very thoroughly sniffed out the remaining scents of my recently passed dog.

When I spoke to his owner, he confirmed that the dog belonged to him. I gave him my address and saw him turn onto the street. As his white pickup came my way, I asked the dog’s name. Toby, the man said. I let Toby know that I was talking to his dad, and that he was on his way to pick him up. And then the white pickup pulled into my driveway. When it finally came to a stop, the owner opened the door and stepped out. I opened the door to my house and Toby ran for his dad, jumped in the truck, and off they went to places unknown.

I’m not sure how pleased the man was at his dog getting loose, but I’m sure he breathed a sigh of relief when Toby bolted from my house and hopped into his truck. Even though he might have had words for the dog, I’m sure he was still grateful for a situation that could have had a very unhappy ending.

Later that day, I saw the white pickup coming around slowly a couple more times. I hoped that Toby hadn’t gotten out again, but I never saw him.

I think of the story of a young man who came to this country looking to improve his life, get an education and go home to help others. But during his early years in this country, a terrible thing was happening far away at home. A war broke out in his homeland, and he was no longer able to return.

Years later when he married, his visa was close to expiring. Immigration came calling. He and his young bride were given a thorough questioning about their marriage. And early one Monday morning, his father-in-law received a call asking when he had last seen this immigrant son-in-law of his. That father-in-law proudly stated that he had just seen him that weekend. And all was well. After jumping through all the legal hoops and hurdles, the young man became a citizen of this country. He did the hard work of making sure to do the honorable task of becoming a proud American.

There are those who come to this great land without jumping through all the hoops. They come running to this country skittish and uncertain, not knowing where they will land or how they’ll provide for themselves. They sometimes pay high prices in order to be smuggled across the border. Some may arrive because they know they will be provided for by the government, and they are rewarded for breaking and entering into a new country.

Oh. Toby wasn’t looking for a free meal, but I fed him in order to help return him to his owner. I would have been of no use to him if I let him continue to run around the neighborhood. But watching him scurry around in a frightened run while standing in the safety of my home, I was no better than the men who came across the injured man and did nothing for him in the biblical parable. The priest and the Levite hurried on past the man who had been beaten and robbed, while the next man we call the Good Samaritan stopped and helped him. He took him to an inn where he could be cared for until he was ready to return home. When we have an opportunity to help others, let’s do the Christian thing and get them to a point of returning to their home.

Don’t think for a minute that I’m comparing anyone made in the image of God to a dog, because that’s not the case. What I’m comparing is the way they left their home and entered someone else’s habitat without going through all the proper channels.

Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. Leviticus 19:15

What could have happened if I had not called Toby’s owner? Would he have somehow quit looking for him? Would he have stormed the neighborhood desperate to find his dog? Would I have always been looking over my shoulder to see if someone saw me with a dog that wasn’t mine? Would a neighbor have recognized Toby and turned me in to the authorities?

The dog wasn’t mine to keep, and I didn’t want him, anyway. It wouldn’t have been right of me to keep the dog when I knew how to get him back to his rightful owner. Of course. I gave him food and shelter while we waited for him to be claimed.

I wonder. If someone broke into your house, would you invite them in to stay as long as they wanted even if they came with ill intent? Would you invite them in and tell them to make themselves comfortable? Would you freely offer to them the comforts of life that you’ve worked long and hard for? If the person insisted on staying forever without making amends, how long would you allow them to stay? Should your sacrifices benefit someone who hasn’t worked for them?

Sure. The Bible tells us to take care of the poor and the oppressed, but it also tells us to work with our hands. It tells us to obey the laws of the land and give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Some of the Ten Commandments tell us not to steal or lie or covet. How do those who come to this land illegally justify their actions?

The Bible also says all of humanity are God’s image bearers. We are made in his image, and He designed his laws for our good. His laws aren’t made to be difficult.  It’s that we are the difficult ones. When we choose to forge our own path without Him, we forge a deceived path. We get things out of order by not following his specific commands. Namely, we place our own gods before Him, and when we do that, we place our will above his. In other words, we do what we want, when we want, how we want, and why we want. We won’t allow anyone to stand in our way, even if we have to break the law. And then we’re not even sorry. We get to the point of feeling no guilt.

For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13-14

Did you realize that every person who enters any country illegally has committed a crime? Do you think they should be harbored and protected indefinitely and given special privileges? So, the big question is this. What does God’s Word say about how to treat these intentional criminals? Because they have intentionally committed the crime of entering the country without proper authority. Would God allow someone who has intentionally sinned and never repented enter heaven? Oh. You may say I’m being harsh. But what does the Bible have to say about justice? After all. We do serve a God who metes out justice to everyone of us if we don’t repent of our sins. So, why shouldn’t justice be served to those who break the law?

What should happen to people who violate the laws of the United States when they enter the country illegally? That’s the question. Even though they may be trying to escape horrendous conditions in their homeland, should they be allowed to stay in a country they’ve illegally entered with no plans to become legal?

Do they intend to assimilate into the community and be fully integrated into this country’s culture? Or, are they more concerned about finding harbor in a city that will provide sanctuary from the law? Why don’t they want to follow the law? Were they lawbreakers in their homeland, too?

But you say. What about grace? What about mercy? Grace is defined as unmerited favor. It’s something we don’t earn. Mercy is defined as leniency or compassionate treatment. And what is justice? Justice is defined as judgment and punishment of someone who has allegedly wronged another.

Dr. Calvin Beisner defines justice as rendering impartially and proportionally to everyone what’s due and in accordance with a righteous standard God has set forth in His moral law. He goes on to say that biblical justice does not show partiality or require preferential treatment. He continues in his interview on the Ideas Have Consequences podcast by saying that you can’t give some benefits to some families without taking them from other families.

Oh. It’s true. This country has offered sanctuary with open arms to many who came illegally. What now? Laws that protect the nation and its citizens should be rightfully enforced, and those who want to become law abiding residents and citizens must go through the proper channels to do so. God’s design was for citizens to obey those in authority, but he also planned for biblical principles to be instituted and followed. We’ve lost our way, and it’s time to return to biblical leadership and obedience. Let’s start today.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Romans 13:1-5

Know Your Instructor

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

I’ve never been good at what we used to call “new math.” Oh. I can add, subtract, multiply and divide. That’s all I need to know for what I do in my life. I don’t need new math. I just need the old, basic arithmetic. But I remember my high school algebra teacher. Well, here’s what I remember. I didn’t learn much, and I’m not sure how I even passed the class. I never took another math class in high school. Then I went to college, and one math class was on the agenda. The instructor was amazing. She made learning math seem easy. I’m not sure that I aced the class, but I learned more than I ever had in high school. But the information didn’t stick with me because I never needed to use it again.

Years later when I went back to school, math was one of the required courses for the degree I was pursuing. But I had to take a placement test to determine my proficiency level. It was maybe a fifteen question quiz. When I took my finished quiz to the proctor, she started grading it. Then she looked at me and said that I must have mixed up the answers to the questions. I said no, I didn’t and walked out. I knew I would have to take the most remedial math class that was offered before I could take the one math class required for the program.

I began the class. The instructor was good. He explained things well. I thought I was catching on, but then I would go home and start on the homework. I wasn’t keeping up with the work. My math knowledge had reached its limits. I quit the class and the school. Years later, I opted for another school and degree that didn’t require math.

From my failed math experiences, I learned that I need a math instructor who keeps things simple and uncomplicated. If I had had that type of instructor in high school, perhaps I would have been able to go further in my “new math” skills. But ever since then, I’ve opted for a life without the requirements of too much math, and I’ve survived just fine. And I’ve decided that if math becomes a requirement in my life, the key for my success is having the right instructor. I need someone who is patient and keeps the instructions clear and simple.

I realize that math proficiency is not related to only the instructor. It lies with me, too. And I realized many years ago that math just isn’t my strong point. And I’m fine with that. But I do need to have math skills in order to be proficient in this life, whether I like it or not. It’s up to me to take the initiative to learn the basics and apply them to the areas of my life where arithmetic is needed. I can’t slough off on it just because it’s not one of my strengths.

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalms 25:4-5

Life can teach us hard lessons if we live a hard life. If we always seem to go against the teachings of those in authority, we can end up in tough life lessons. And it’s not really necessary, but we do it to ourselves because we think we know best.

The same can be said for our spiritual lives. We want what we want. And we don’t want God telling us what we can and can’t do. We want to set the rules for how we live our lives. And we let our social influences lead us. Even when they lead us down a dark and winding path that moves us further from God, we seem to follow blindly.

Oh. We may think we’re following God because, after all, we’re Christians. We go to church. We give money to the church. We may even volunteer to work in different ministries in the church. But we may find ourselves following the latest spiritual leaders who aren’t leading us biblically. And we think they are because their teachings sound so easy to follow. They don’t require use to change to do anything uncomfortable or self-sacrificing. But when we don’t read and study God’s word, we can be easily led astray. It’s easy to trust anyone who tells us to do only comfortable things. But when we read the Bible and Jesus teaches us that those who call themselves his followers must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him, then we start squirming in our seats.

Just this week, I saw a conference posted online where speakers and pastors were teaching other pastors unbiblical lessons. And then those pastors will go back to their churches and possibly teach their congregations these same unbiblical lessons. What is going on?

The only instruction that believers can trust is Scripture, which was inspired by God who doesn’t lie. He doesn’t bow to the latest fads. He doesn’t show favoritism. He offers full and complete forgiveness when we confess and repent of our sins. He instructs in the way we should live. He corrects us. He shows love and justice to everyone, regardless of the color of our skin or our birthplace.

Oh sure. We need others to come alongside us to mentor and disciple us. We need pastors who speak solid biblical truths preaching to us from the pulpit every Sunday. And then we must read and study the Word of God and apply it to our lives. There’s no way around this requirement, because it’s the only way we get to know God.

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. Matthew 7:15

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 2 Peter 2:1-2

God’s instructions are straightforward, not complex. The ten commandments clearly tell us how to live. The Sermon on the Mount spells out the gospel of holy living in clear and concise words. Jesus didn’t beat around the bush when he preached to the multitudes, and those same simple words of instruction are given to us today to hear and obey. And every word written in that precious Book leads us to God. The story of salvation is not rocket science, and it’s definitely a math assignment. No one needs an advanced degree to understand it. The homework given to us is to obey the message of Jesus and embrace a life of repentance and forgiveness and then walk in obedience.

As Oswald Chambers says, if God speaks to us then we either do what he asks or tell him that we will not obey. We’re more than happy to listen to what other people say about God. We just don’t want to hear from God directly, because then we have a decision to make. And if the decision to obey God may cost us something more than we’re willing to give, we turn in the opposite direction. As a pastor recently said, there is a point of no return, and it’s either at our last breath or at the second coming of Jesus. Let’s not wait too late to make the decision to follow Christ.

It’s Ok

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

I recently watched a video of America’s Got Talent from four years ago. A young woman singing under the name of Nightbirde sang an original song titled “It’s Ok.” But things weren’t really ok in her life. She had had cancer for several years and had been given only a two percent change of survival. Yet she lived with a life full of joy and happiness. She said, and I quote, “it’s important that everyone knows that I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.” And when she sang the words of her song, the calmness and confidence in her voice earned her the golden buzzer. She said that you don’t have to wait until your life is perfect in order to be happy.

And she’s right.

There was a look of astonishment on the face of each of the judges as they listened to her story. Those judges who had fame and fortune at their fingertips were very unsure of how to handle someone who was so calmly dealing with a life threatening illness. Little did they know at that audition that this young woman had only months to live. Oh. They gave her high praise, saying her performance was very powerful and authentic. They were touched not only by her voice, but also with her story.

You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy. That’s what she said, and she meant it. She lived through hard times, and yet she was glowing with peace and happiness. Knowing that she had only a two percent change of surviving the cancer that was ravaging her body, she lived well. And she lived forgiven.

This young woman was a child of God. She had laid her fears and faults and sins at the feet of her Savior, and he had forgiven her. She knew that if the ninety-eight percent chance of dying came true, she would spend eternity with Jesus Christ. And that’s where she is today. She’s in eternity. She didn’t let fear of the unknown diminish her joy.

I dare to ask myself. If I had a two percent change of surviving some horrendous disease, how happy and calm would I be? I’m not sure I can answer that today, because I haven’t been dealt that diagnosis. I don’t know how I would respond to a medical death sentence. Would I calmly look death in the face and keep moving forward? Would I fight back? Would I look for alternate treatments? Would I listen to my doctors? Would I stand strong in the face of pain and suffering? Would I shrivel up in the fetal position and not get out of bed? I don’t know.

And the song that she sang. It’s Ok. She believed it was ok that her life was falling apart. That there was a high probability she wouldn’t grow old. That she would lose her life before it ever really began. And she was ok with that? If I were in her shoes, would I be ok? I don’t know.

Her friend said that “Jesus is why Jane believed a painfully tragic life could still be worth living—that life could be beautiful even when the world came crashing down.” Do I believe that to be true? Absolutely, yes, I do.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

We don’t have to be facing a death sentence in order for life to be difficult. We don’t have to be staring the end of life in the eye in order to be weakened by fear and the feeling of defeat. It could be getting up and going to a difficult job each day. Or, it could be facing a brand new situation that puts us way outside of our comfort zone. It could be a spontaneous moment when we are put on the spot and forced to defend our beliefs in a public setting. It could be a forced premature ending of a marriage we thought would survive until death us do part. It could be a financial crisis we’re facing. It could be the consequences of a very poor decision.

What I do know is that God is the God of the ages. He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Everything that comes our way is ordained and approved by him. Just as he allowed Satan to sift the life of Job down to ashes, he could do the same to us without our consent. Will we still trust him? Will we, at the end of the day, say it’s ok that my life has fallen apart? Will we say that these grim circumstances that we face are worth every moment of suffering as we wait to stand in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

There are many curves in the road of life as our faith is refined, and much of that is out of our control. Oh. We don’t have to sit back and watch life fall apart. We can do our part to pick up the pieces as we place our complete trust in God. As we come to learn through our times of suffering that the sole source of our strength is the Lover of our souls, we can look forward to eternity at the end of our days with calmness and confidence in our Savior.

In the midst of our suffering, can we sing to the God who is with us in our suffering? The song may not be joyful, but the joy of the Lord can remain in us even during those low days. We can have the joy of the Lord within us regardless of our circumstances. During our pain, we can sing songs of lament but we don’t have to wallow in it.

Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. 2 Corinthians 6:10

It Will Be Worth It All

Sometimes the day seems long,
Our trials hard to bear.
We´re tempted to complain,
to murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear
to catch his bride away!
All tears forever over
in God’s eternal day!

CHORUS:
It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
till we see Christ.

At times the sky seems dark,
with not a ray of light;
We’re tossed and driven on,
no human help in sight.
But there is One in heaven,
Who knows our deepest care;
Let Jesus solve your problems,
just go to him in prayer.

Life’s day will soon be o’re,
all storms forever past;
We’ll cross the great divide
to Glory, safe at last!
We’ll share the joys of heaven:
a harp, a home, a crown;
The tempter will be banished,
We’ll lay our burdens down.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:1-6

Don’t Be Misguided

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

The guy on the podcast I was listening to said that the world is watching to see if a believer’s conduct lines up with their confession of faith. And we know that’s true. There are watchers of people of faith. Who knows if they’re intentionally or unintentionally watching anyone who calls themselves a believer, but some notice when a Christian is in or out of line with what they say they believe. But we also have to know that God himself knows all about us. All the good and the bad and the ugly. He knows it all. He sees it all.

Justin Martyr, a Christian apologist from AD155 said that it is for us Christians to offer to all the opportunity of inspecting our life and teachings. That means we can’t rely on our own understanding, but we must trust in the Lord. We aren’t reliable when left to our own devices. We’re easily swayed by the ideas and opinions of others who seem confident in their own beliefs. We can be easily misguided if we’re not careful of who we’re following or listening to. Whether it’s the pastor of the latest megachurch. Or the best selling author. Or the most downloaded podcaster. Or the slickest politician. Or the newest spiritual fad. We can’t just trust every word we hear from those we listen to. We must do our own study and research. And most importantly, we must study to show ourselves approved when it comes to living out our faith.

Oh sure. Others will be watching to see how we live out our faith. But our Heavenly Father is watching always and forever. We can’t escape his eye or his knowledge of our ways. So, more importantly than doing the “right thing” for others to see, we must most importantly do the “biblical thing” as God directs us. And in order for us to know the biblical thing to do, we must read the Bible. We must study God’s word so we know exactly what God requires of us.

I recently read that, as believers, we shouldn’t have to ask God to guide us because He is automatically guiding those who have put their faith in him. But we must know the truths that he has put in place for his followers. We must be prepared to act on the trust we say we have in Him when push comes to shove. We can’t depend on our own understanding, our own interpretation of right and wrong, when we’re in the fire. We can be wishy washy. Untrustworthy. Unless our complete trust is in God, we may lean on our own misguided ideas.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

The question is. Do we really trust Jesus? As believers, do we put our entire trust in Him for every aspect of our lives? If not, what are we holding onto for our own personal purposes? What part of our lives do we trust ourselves with more than we trust God? Are our ways higher than God’s ways? The Bible would say definitely not. So, why do we think we know better than God?

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

We’ve heard the famous saying “come as you are” when we come to Jesus. We’re told we don’t have to pretty up our behavior. We can come to Him asking for forgiveness with all the ugliness and awfulness of our lives in tow. But does Jesus really say that in the Bible? Actually, there’s no Bible verse that says those specific words, but Jesus does accept us as we are when we come to him in genuine repentance. We don’t have to change before we seek his forgiveness. But the thing is. We can’t stay as we are. We must change after we have asked him to forgive our sins. If we say that Jesus is Lord of our lives, then we must live as if what we said was true. We must live in accordance with our repentance and confession of faith. Otherwise, we are lying not only to ourselves but to the world and to God himself.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

So. If we say Jesus is Lord of our lives, then we have to trust Him. Oh. It’s a daily dying to ourselves and laying down our faith in ourselves. We must daily hand over our own desires and leanings to Jesus Christ. We must allow our will to be bent to line up with the teachings of our Savior. We aren’t better than Him. As ones who say we have bowed our wills to Him, we must then bow daily to His will. We must honor him not only with our lips, but also with our hearts and actions. How can we say we follow our Lord and Savior if we neglect His teachings and corrections? How can we say we’re His followers if we continually disobey and dishonor Him? Who do we think we are?

And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. Isaiah 29:13