Because the guilty are guilty, and God is a God of mercy. These two realities must be juxtaposed to provide a Godly balance to our lives. Without understanding both, we run the risk of two extremes.
Ignoring the guilt of sin sets us on a dangerous track. We’ll begin to re-define our sins and continue to suffer the consequences of our guilt. Things will begin to grip our lives in unexpected ways. We’ll try everything in our ability, but nothing will provide relief or an answer.
On the other hand, when God’s mercy is ignored, we’ll get into a judgmental and legalistic mode. This is equally destructive as ignoring guilt. Once we’re on a judgmental track, God is no longer part of the equation. Our works become the primary valuation for our lives. Thus we forget reality. The reality that says we are guilty and God is merciful.
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Why do you do what you do? If it weren’t for the relationships in your life, would you be doing those things? Actually, there may not be much meaning to the things you do if it were not for relationships.
When the people of God brought offerings to God, they were to add salt, which represented the covenant relationship they had with God. There was a clear statement that they were to offer salt with all their offerings (Leviticus 2:13). Every offering they made to God had to be done for the sake of the covenant relationship.
Why do you do what you do? Because of relationships. Think of every activity you do during the day. They are all connected to relationships with others in your life, and ultimately for relationship with God.
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What a bold step it would have been to walk past your neighbors and friends with a bull in tow as you walk toward the temple to confess your sins.
People might ask: “Hey, where are you going with that bull?”
Answer: “Well, uh, I’m on my way to confess my sin.”
Question: “What did you do?”
Reply: “Never mind.”
Confession of sins was a public matter in front of people who know you. Even when they got to the temple, there might be people who know them. As they wait in line for their turn to offer the burnt offering for sin, people who know them would see them and might ask the same question as others: “What did you do?” Or, they might ask others: “What did he do?”
The reason we don’t do this public thing is because Jesus did this for us publicly. He walked down the streets of Jerusalem – but not with an animal for sacrifice, but his own body as a perfect sinless sacrifice for our sins. The one perfect sacrifice that was sufficient for all our sins. Thank you Jesus.
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My phone rings. I see the name. I know they need something. Otherwise they never call.
They may need a variety of favors: someone’s phone number, help with some task, or they need money. And as much as possible, I try to help.
After all, Jesus said “Freely you have received, freely give.”
Others connect just to stay connected. Some call and simply ask about us, our children, ministry, and how we are doing overall.
Some will even speak words of blessing over us. Others pray for us over the phone. Those are refreshing phone calls.
Go ahead – refresh someone’s heart today.
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    The agony is unbearable. You don’t have an answer for those who question your faith and even your salvation – because of your suffering.
    You’ve prayed endless prayers and sought out specialists who would pray with a “special anointing.” Confession and heart searching continues even now. But your pain and suffering continues.
    The Israelites suffered for over 400 years in brutal slavery. After being released, God pointed out an important significance for them. They were to remember their slavery and have compassion on others. God’s instruction was clear:

“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9, cf. 22:21)

    Compassion – it’s often connected to your own pain and suffering. Look for opportunities to express and live our that compassion. It’s costly. You paid a great price. Jesus paid an even greater price.
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Usually its those with a lot of free time in their hands. They are easily offended no matter what happens. Those around them are careful with every word they speak, as they know they are “walking on eggshells.”
Truly they are an offense waiting to happen. Don’t live to appease these people. They’ll never be satisfied. Regardless of how far you go to be careful and non-offensive to these people, it will never work.
Release yourself from their invisible grip and control over you. Be free to live your life as you need to. Once you are free from their grip, you can be focused in your purpose. Otherwise, your purpose will be to satisfy them.
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It was a large international airport. Lots of people with uniforms. I asked for directions to four people. Three out of four gave me the wrong directions. Three times we wandered around, misdirected.
Their uniforms looked good. The people looked important. But they didn’t know the answer. I suppose they were just confused.
No, they don’t need to know all the answers. But there seems to be an “international” expectation that one should know all the answers. Thus the reason they spoke up and gave the wrong answer.
But its better to say “Sorry, I don’t know.”
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This takes lots of practice, but it is worth the effort.
Things around you may be chaotic, but learn to be still. Don’t become “chaotic” along with your environment. You are not your environment.
Stand straight. Be still. And behave as the person you are. Allow the surroundings to be as it is, but you be as you are.
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Savings is not unbiblical but worry is. When the Israelites gathered more Mana than they needed for one day, God was displeased. It signified that they did not trust God. They already had an issue of distrust. Whenever they faced any difficulty, they grumbled against Moses. This daily provision was much beyond provision. It was a daily lesson of God’s ability to take care is them.
Worry signifies distrust in God to take care of us.
See  Exodus 16.
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