mercy – Godinterest

February 26, 2024

When It’s Okay To Break The Law

After spending a week in France, I came across this true story. During World War II, France was occupied by Nazi Germany. Anyone caught helping Jews would be killed or sent to concentration camps. In the small village of La Chambon, Pastor Andre Troceme and his Protestant church decided to hide Jews in their homes, provide them with new identities, and integrate their children into their schools. This pastor and his parishioners were credited with saving 5,000 Jewish lives. They violated the Nazi’s hateful law and risked their own lives to help others.

During Jesus’ time, a man with a deformed hand had worshipped in the synagogue for years. But on one Sabbath, he met Jesus. Jesus said, “Get up and stand” in front of everyone. As the man got up, he was probably not sure what would happen, but he was willing to obey. And Jesus was willing to demonstrate, especially on the Sabbath, that God was interested in helping and healing his people. Jesus was God’s answer in ushering in his Kingdom of mercy, grace, and restoration. Doing good on any day, especially on sabbath is the best way to live by the will of God. Visit a sick friend, help a single mother, mentor a child. Let’s go and act like Jesus today! And like Pastor Troceme break non biblical traditional law to save lives.

Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I want to bring your Kingdom into my own family and neighbourhood. Father, please help me and Nudge me to serve you and usher in a culture that saves lives and shows mercy. In your name, Amen.

February 23, 2024

His Mercy Is Enough

According to God’s Word, we all sin and we all make mistakes. We’ve all made wrong choices but as believers in God, that doesn’t change our destiny. God doesn’t kick us out of His kingdom because we’re not perfect. You may feel like you don’t deserve anything good from God, or you should suffer through life enduring problems. No this is what mercy is for, mercy will renew and restore you! Hallelujah!

Your sin didn’t surprise God, no matter what you may have done wrong, you are still the apple of God’s eye. You are still His most prized possession. You can still access God’s promises by faith today. Your weakness moves God toward you. He has enough grace and mercy to cover you and give you a new start.

Today, shake off guilt and condemnation! Put your shoulders back and say, “I may not be perfect, but I am forgiven. I may have made mistakes, but God knows my heart and it’s to please Him. I am changing my ways. I may have brought trouble on myself, but I’m going to stay in faith expecting God’s mercy to turn it around.” Please ask for His mercy today, and let it empower you to move forward in every area of your life!

“…Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13, NIV).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Father, thank You for receiving me with my sins and mistakes. Please cleanse me and change me. God, I dedicate every area of my life to You. I invite You to have Your way in me, as I shake off guilt and condemnation from self, the world, and the church. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

January 15, 2024January 15, 2024

A Dream of Hope

Today Americans celebrate the life of the great Christian leader, Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Below are four quotes from him that will give us hope in this hopeless time.

“I say to you today, my friends . . . even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

“. . . I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; ‘and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together’. . . . “

“ . . . With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

Today these words of Dr King not only give us hope for now but in the years to come “This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. The land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring! . . .”

“Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:4-5).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, have mercy upon us. Father forgive us for what we could have been but failed to be. God, give us the intelligence to know your will and give us the courage to do your will. Please give us the devotion to love your will. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024

Your Grace And Mercy

In this day and age, many people are filled with worry about their future. They live stressed out, wondering, “What’s going to happen if I lose my job?”, “how am I going to handle it if my loved one doesn’t make it?”, or even “my parents are getting older, how can I take care of them and my own family at the same time?”. As I settle into another year of this thing called life, I have made up my mind that I’m not going to worry or fret anymore. I will trust in God’s grace to be there at every stage of my life, to help me do whatever I need to do.

Remember, God’s grace is what saves us, but that’s not all. His grace is His enabling power. His grace will give you the strength, wisdom and favour to accomplish what you could not normally accomplish on your own. His grace is sufficient for whatever you need in your future. Hallelujah!

Today, if you’re in a difficult marriage, if you’re raising a child that’s going astray or if you’re facing a sickness, one thing you can count on is that the grace of God will be there. Receive it today by faith, and let Him empower you to walk through the difficulty, into a place of victory in Jesus’ name!

“But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favour on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace.” (1 Corinthians 15:10, NLT).

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your grace and mercy upon my life this past year. Father, thank You for empowering me to rise above every obstacle. God, I trust that You are moving me forward into victory in this next year of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 8, 2024January 8, 2024

He Gives You Space

Newer translations of the Bible include a footnote with this story, saying that it is not found in the earliest manuscripts. I hope this “messiness” of the Bible does not trouble you. It shouldn’t. Rather, we can recognize that the perfect Word of God entered a messy world and picked up some scars, yet still tells us plainly that while no one is perfect, Jesus gives us space.

In scripture, Jesus gave space for this crowd to go home shame-faced. They expected to jeer and throw stones at a “fallen woman”. He challenged them to investigate their own hearts to see if they were sinless before throwing the first stone. Then he drew in the sand while they all slinked away, now seeing their faults a little more clearly.

Jesus gave space to the woman too. The officials dragged her before him to test his ability to judge, not realising that he would one day be the Judge over all. Jesus does not rush to judge this woman. He does not condone her actions but gives her space to change: “Go now and leave your life of sin”…

Today, just like the woman caught in adultery, Jesus gives us space to realize that sin does not have us trapped. We can, by his grace and Spirit, leave our sins behind. There is some space as this new year begins. To reflect on our sinful life and decide to get closer to Christ. Is this not a great idea for 2024?

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, as I reflect on the past year and move to the new year, help me leave my old sins behind and the guilt that goes with them. Thank you for your mercy. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023

A Dream of Hope

Today Americans celebrate the life of the great Christian leader Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Below are four quotes from him that will give us hope in this hopeless time.

Today these words of Dr king not only give us hope for now but in the years to come “this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring! . . .”

Let’s Pray

December 28, 2022January 16, 2023

Wisdom Wednesdays

As we come to the final days of 2022 let’s read Psalm 23.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Let’s reflect on the following questions:

In 2022, how did the Lord Shepherd you? Did you lack for anything? What did you learn about resting and trusting in Him? How did He lead you in 2022? What were the darkest moments for you? How did He comfort and protect you during those dark times? How did He deal with you before your enemies? Can you trace His footsteps of goodness and mercy following you throughout 2022?
Today I’d like to invite you to make the Lord your Shepherd in 2023? – Sophia Peart

December 13, 2022December 13, 2022

Are You Hurting?

If you are hurting this holiday season, remember:

Christ is the hope for the broken-hearted. Pain is real. He felt it. Heartbreak is inevitable. He experienced it. Tears come. His did. Betrayal happens. He was betrayed.

He knows. He sees. He understands. He loves deeply, in ways we can’t even fathom. When your heart breaks at Christmas, when the pain comes, when the whole thing seems like more than you can bear, you can look to the manger. You can look to the cross. You can remember the hope that comes with His birth.

The pain won’t leave. But His hope will swaddle you tight. His gentle mercy will hold you until you can breathe again. What you long for this holiday may never be, but He is and is to come. You can trust that, even in your holiday hurts.

Be patient and kind to yourself. Give yourself extra time and space to process your hurt and reach out to others around you if you need extra support.

Find a cause to invest in. There is a saying, “grief is just love with no place to go.” Find a cause that honours the memory of a loved one. Giving time or money to a suitable charity can be helpful, as it gives expression to the love in your heart.

Create new traditions. Hurt changes us. Sometimes it is helpful for us to change our traditions to create a new normal. If you have a holiday tradition that feels unbearable, don’t do it. Instead, consider doing something new… Creating new traditions can help alleviate some of the added sadness old traditions often bring.

Today, you may be overwhelmed, bruised, and broken, but there is still goodness to be welcomed and blessings to be claimed this season, even in pain. There will be holidays in the future when you will feel stronger and lighter, and these very difficult days are part of the road to them, so accept whatever gifts God has for you. You may not fully open them for years, but unwrap them as the Spirit gives you strength, and watch the heaviness and hurt disappear.

“And in the same way the Spirit is a help to our feeble hearts: for we are not able to make prayer to God in the right way; but the Spirit puts our desires into words which are not in our power to say.” (Rom 8:26)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your greatness. Thank You that when I am weak, You are strong. Father, the devil is scheming, and I know he desires to keep me from spending time with You and loved ones this holiday. Don’t let him win! Give me a measure of Your strength so that I might not give into discouragement, deception, and doubt! Help me honour You in all my ways, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022

Faith In The Faithful

a close up shot of a woman holding a rosary while praying

Our God is a promise-keeping God. Does this matter? Does God’s integrity make a difference? Does his faithfulness come into play?

Others may make a promise and forget it. But if God makes a promise, He never forgets it.

The Book of Hebrews says, “God has given both his promise and his oath” (6:18). The scripture goes on to say, “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Hallelujah!

Today, we may ask the question ‘does it matter that God is a God of integrity? Does he keep his promises?’ – when your child is on life support, it does. When you are pacing the ER floor, it does. When you are wondering what to do with your worst trial, you must choose faith or fear. You must choose between God’s purpose, random history, a human opinion, or a God who knows and cares, a God who isn’t there in the flesh but loves you.

Today, we all have a choice. Choose to trust God’s promises. Choose to believe that God is up to something good, even though all you see looks bad. Choose to believe, because God is faithful!

He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Let’s pray

Yahweh, as waves of fear come right now, i pray no harm would overtake me, that no disaster would come near me. Father, I pray that your angels would guard me in all my ways and you would stir up in me a heart that desires to trust your promises and run to you. God, I pray for unwavering trust in all your promises to be a refuge. Thank you for your unfailing love, grace, and mercy over my life. Calm my fears and bring your peace to my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022

Compromise Does Not Pay ?

young annoyed female freelancer using laptop at home

Abraham became a father, as God promised, but the pause between God’s promise and its fulfilment, spanned decades, causing Abraham to question the accuracy of God’s prediction. Like us, Abraham sought to reshape God’s promise into an idol he could touch, see, and understand. “Compromise was his answer,” he said. “I will sleep with the maidservant for this is what God meant no matter what His word says.”

Abraham forgot this simple formula, God’s plan + God’s timing + Godly trust = Godly fruit. When this equation is broken, that’s when we stumble and fall. If we do stumble, fall or fail like Abraham, it doesn’t mean it’s all over. Get up and get back to the formula, remembering always that God keeps His promises. The question that must be answered is: “Can I trust God enough to see me through to the other side even when I can’t see the edge or the end?”, and that is the question that haunts us even today as we face life’s challenges.

Today, we fear falling, failure and defeat in all their finality. We reach for the dream and recoil when our fingers find nothing but emptiness. We wonder if there is hope for us, covered in a desert mess. The problem with Christians is, too many of us are afraid of failure. God rarely makes our fear disappear – instead, He asks us to be strong and take courage. Claim the plans God has planted in your heart. Hold God’s hand and give birth to your dream. You won’t find the edge if you don’t lean and reach for it. So lean on Him and look across the wasteland, your promise is still there.

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” – Matthew 14:27 (NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, have mercy on me. Many times, I have stumbled and fallen. From time to time, I am stuck in life’s wilderness, afraid and discouraged and ready to compromise. Today I ask You to help me not make my fear despair. God, I thank You for not making my failure the final act in my life. Father, I embrace Your abundant life and I answer the hard question, “can I trust you when things get tuff ?” and I will answer “yes I can and I will” in Jesus’s name. Amen.

November 24, 2022November 24, 2022

Your Abba Father

man carrying baby drawing their foreheads

God rejoices as your Abba Father. You are His child on the authority of His Word. He ordained you and brought you forth. “You brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast.” And “From birth I have relied on you…I will ever praise you.”

The Father wants to cleanse your deep wounds that you received from words and actions in your family. Receive the ministry of Jehovah-Rapha, the healing covenant name of your eternal God, as He works in the core of your being. Receive His healing, blessing, and deep release. The Spirit of your Father lives in you to heal and make you whole.

The Father of all mercy is ready to bring new life. Receive His cleansing from all hurtful memories, feelings, and emotions. Jesus died to set you free. Release all pain to Him. God promised in His word that He would wash you and make you whiter than snow.

Today, be blessed as God fills the hole in your heart, those empty spaces, that bottomless pit that craves nearness, affirmation, connection, and significance – and yet fears it is unable to receive it, and runs away from it. Be at peace and receive healing from wounds caused by lack. Receive cleansing from attachment wounds, as Father-God binds you to Himself with cords that cannot be broken. God fed His Son with His words of approval that nourished Him emotionally. Be blessed to rest secure and safe in His love.

“A voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased‘” (Mark 1:11).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for my life, please heal my heart and fill me with joy. You know I lost my joy because of the things that happened, but I have forgiven those that hurt me. Now, Father, I need You to restore my heart. God, restore unto me the joy of my salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit. Please put the bounce back in my step, and the smile back on my face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

October 17, 2022October 17, 2022

Just To Be Close To You

silhouette photography of person standing on green grass in front of mountains during golden hour

One thing I desire is to be counted among those who intentionally draw near to Jesus. Near to the One who saves us, loves us, and pours immeasurable grace and mercy into our lives; the One who leads and guides us, strengthens us, and never leaves us.

In the bible, we are reminded of folk who desired to be close to Jesus. I remember Mary, at the feet of Jesus. John, the beloved disciple, leaning on the chest of our Lord. David, the psalmist whose soul thirst for God. Enoch, walking close beside Him—so close, in fact, that God just walked him on up to heaven, completely bypassing death. The list could go on and on. I want my name to be included with those who have deeply desired intimate communion and fellowship with the Lord. Don’t you?

Today, I want to draw near to the Lord who wakes me up each morning and reminds me that this new day He has made is a day to be glad. And I am glad—deep in my heart, glad that I am His and He is mine. I am grateful that I have the privilege of walking in a close relationship with Him. Let’s live each day for Him and with Him and be counted as one of God’s closest friends. There is no better place to be.

Psalm 145:18 “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I thank You that You desire to spend time with me. Father, Your Word says if I draw near to You, You will draw near to me—and I want to be close to You. So, right now, I ask that You cause me to desire to draw close to You above everything else in my life. God, help me to have supernatural time management, help me to see clearly when I can set aside time to spend with You, and help me never to compromise that time, in Christ’s name, Amen.

October 5, 2022October 5, 2022

Is Your Friend A Fool??

Some time ago I asked a young man the question, “Is your friend a fool?”. Sometimes in order to embrace the destiny God has in store, you have to be willing to ask the difficult questions. You have to be willing to examine where you are and what you need to do in order to move forward. This may mean that you need to change some friends you’re spending time with.

Your friends may have been fine for a season in your life, but you’ve outgrown them. This is a new season, and in order for you to rise higher, you have to break away from relationships that are limiting you. You have to develop some new friendships with people who are going to pull you up and inspire you to rise higher. It’s hard to say this but it’s true for each of us.

Today, if you’re the smartest one in your friendship group, your group is too small. Find people who are smarter or different from you, people who will challenge you to stretch you to the next level. Remember, he who walks with the wise becomes wise. He who walks with fools becomes foolish. Choose your friends wisely so that you can rise higher and walk in the destiny God has for you.

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your grace and mercy despite some bad choices I have made. Father, thank you for the power you have given me to release friends that zap me of time and energy. Thank you for downsizing my friends to only those that stick to your plans for my life. God, I beg you to choose my friends and companions for me, so that I can continue to move forward in the destiny You have for me. Lord, please send me next-level friends today and make me a next-level friend to others, In Christ’s Name. Amen.

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022

Letting Go

One of my favourite bible stories is the Prodigal Son. Watching the father allow his youngest son to leave home and experience life reminds me of the challenges parents face daily. The process of growing and maturing is not always pleasant to watch. We cannot raise strong, responsible children or even spiritual sons and daughters by shielding them from all pain and hardships, especially those that come from their own decisions. Often it is the pain that leads them to the arms of the Father.

Today’s parents of older teens and young adults must release control and learn to trust God in the process. Looking back at the Father in the parable, he knew that he had to allow his son to leave. But he also knew that he could trust the Lord with what was precious to him, the life of his son.

Today, we too must trust God and allow our heavenly Father to mature our children and bring them to His perfect stature. Just as the prodigal son came to himself realizing that he had it better with his father, our seed will as well. It may not be an easy transition, but it is a necessary one. Our children may need a pig pen experience (trial) to come to their heavenly Father. Trying to shield them may lengthen the process of conversion.

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endures forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.” Psalm 138:8 (Amplified Bible)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, grant us the grace to trust you with the lives of those we love. Father, teach us continually how to guide our children in wisdom and truth. God as we commit them to you, I ask that you reassure us daily that you will complete the work that you have begun in them. In Jesus name Amen.

August 25, 2022August 25, 2022

God is Faithful

Are you confident today that God is always faithful? That He is exactly who He says He is? Aren’t you glad He doesn’t change His mind or forget about His promises? Friends or family may let you down or even betray you. But not God. He is faithful not only to you but to all His children. Check out these scriptures:

Do you lack confidence today? The Bible says,

“Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Are you fearful about something? He said,

“I hem you in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me”

(Psalm 139:5). He is watching over you – behind, in front and overhead.

Are you facing an impossible task? Pray and discuss it with Him.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Have you messed up? Feel guilty?

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He will cleanse you – make you completely pure.

Do you want to be more faithful to those you love? You can. Daily ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and direct you.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Holy Spirit will produce faithfulness in you.

Today I look back to when I was a young man, I believed in God was a churchgoer, but I did not know that I was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him. I learned that to experience a full and meaningful life, I needed to yield the control of my life to God, and then I could experience His love and power moment by moment.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God” Psalm 145:13b

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my life, I have sinned against You. Father, I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross. Lord, please take your place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. In Christ’s name Amen.

August 17, 2022January 16, 2023

Wisdom Wednesday’s

Are you ever tempted to doubt? I know I have.

The reality is doubt is very common to our human experience. Doubt comes in varying degrees. There is the doubt of a proud skeptic, who delights in their own intellect. There is the person who wants to believe, but is struggling with difficult questions. Then there is the believer who has drifted away from the Lord in the midst of a difficult situation. At the foundation of doubt is fear. Fear can be debilitating, disorienting and depressing.

The only antidote for doubt is faith. Faith, in the bible, is defined this way “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” The object of our faith is God and his promises. 

Faith is putting your trust in God and having confidence that he will fulfill his promises. Trust that God is working on your behalf and in your favour. Have confidence in His promises. Know when you trust Him, goodness and mercy will chase after you all the days of your life! 

- Pastor Sophia