Vessels Of Mercy

Vessels Of Mercy

Romans 9:22–23 NKJV

“What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory.”

As I read this last night, I was blessed thinking that those of us who have faith in Christ are God’s vessels of mercy!

Consider what it says in Colossians 1:26–27:

“the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Think about it: God’s vessels of mercy have Christ in them!

We have been loved, chosen, and prepared by God for glory—not because we deserved it, but because of His gracious purpose:

2 Timothy 1:9 

“who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

We have Christ’s righteousness credited to us through faith. Christ bore the wrath that His people deserved, so that we might receive His righteousness and peace with God:

2 Corinthians 5:21 

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, giving us a new heart and leading us in repentance, faith, and a growing desire for holiness:

Ezekiel 36:26–27 

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

And we have an inheritance of glory, secured by God’s mercy and preserved by His power:

Romans 8:28-29 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

What a happy day to be a vessel of mercy!

Thank You, Jesus!

Joy in the Holy Spirit

Joy in the Holy Spirit

Romans 14:17

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Have you ever experienced the joy of the Holy Spirit? Romans 14:17 tells us that the kingdom of God is about “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

What brings true joy to our lives? Having our sins forgiven.

Listen to what the Bible says:

Psalm 32:1–2:
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

Isaiah 1:18:
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Acts 3:19:
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

And 1 John 1:9 tells us:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

We can also experience the joy of the Holy Spirit when we reflect on God's great love for us.

John 3:16 says:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Our sins forgiven—and on top of that, eternal life!

What a reason to rejoice in Jesus!

Let's take time today to thank God for the joy of the Holy Spirit. And let's make a fresh commitment to love God and follow His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Joy Of Praising

The Joy Of Praising

Psalm 95:1–2 (BSB):

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song.”

As I was praising the Lord Jesus this morning, I couldn’t help but think about what a joy it is to praise the Lord.

I can praise Him out loud, under my breath, or even in my mind.

And we can praise God at all times.

Psalm 34:1–3:

“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice. Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.”

It’s hard to stay angry with someone or hold a grudge when we are praising the Lord. It seems that God can wash those negative thoughts away as our minds become filled with praise.

Let’s encourage one another to praise the Lord today.

Hebrews 13:15:

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.”

God's Years Have No End

God's Years Have No End

Psalms 102:25-27 :
"Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end."

Psalms 90:4:
"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night."

John 8:58:
"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

Hebrews 13:8:
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Praise the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who sent Messiah Jesus. His years have no end!

Our Cup Of Blessing

Our Cup Of Blessing

Psalm 16:5:

“LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.” 

Isn't that wonderful? Psalm 16:5 reminds us that the Lord Himself is our truest inheritance and blessing. Our ultimate treasure isn't found in earthly possessions, achievements, or circumstances, but in God alone.

We can thank God today because all spiritual blessings reside in Jesus Christ. As 1 Corinthians 1:30 declares, "God has united us with Christ, who has become for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." In Him, we are made right with God, set apart for holiness, and freed from sin’s power.

And what does God guard? He faithfully preserves His people and the eternal gifts He has given us. He promises His abiding presence, His help in trouble, and His provision for every need, and reminds us that nothing can separate us from His love.

Furthermore, Jesus promised to return and gather us to Himself. Our ultimate hope isn't simply escaping this world, but enjoying eternal fellowship with our Savior in the new heavens and new earth.

So let's remember where our true blessing lies. Our greatest treasure isn't what we possess, but who possesses us. In Christ, we believers hold every blessing necessary for salvation, perseverance, and eternal hope.

Whatever today brings, give thanks: your cup overflows with the goodness and grace of Jesus Christ—our true cup of blessing.