SUE O'DONNELL. 13.04.21
“The confidence of Christians is the resurrection of the dead, believing this we live.” (Tertullian)
We live by the knowledge of our deliverance.
Deliverance is our acceptance by our Father.
The Lord God Almighty accepts us through mercy,
As the love of Christ Jesus has been made
Ours to name and claim at the †.
At the †we experience true love and real mercy.
All this favour graced us is totally undeserved,
For we are a people immured in our sinfulness.
“O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger nor discipline me in Your rage. Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me…” (Psalm 6 v 1, 2, 3 NLT)
But fresh hope has been given us in Christ Jesus.
He is our deliverance and acceptance by salvation,
The recommendation, plan and purpose of love’s holiness.
Mercy is the undeserved kindness of forgiveness,
Wiping the slate clean to enable a new start.
Mercy can only be given from a heart
Willing to carry the hurt inflicted by another,
Through forgiveness to discover how love holds the victory.
“If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life.” (1 John 3 v 16 NLT)
Anything evil hurts and inflicts harm upon us.
Mercy which is holy undoes this blight.
It is as if the darkness of night’s sinning
Is lifted off us for a new beginning, hope dawning,
Realising Christ Jesus died on the † for us,
Not for the guiltless, this would not be necessary.
When did a fit person need a physician?
Christ Jesus lived and died sacrificially for the guilty.
“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us.” (1 John 3 v 16 NLT)
That is everyone who stands before the †,
Contrite, ashamed, repentant and remorseful,
But also truly grateful for the fresh start offered us.
At the † we overcome satan’s power and influence,
his accusation, his blame, our shame, our anxiety, being guilty.
The Son of God hangs before us to forgive us.
The Holy Spirit, life’s Purifier and Sanctifier.
Will, when we pray, grant us the courage to say ‘sorry’ for failures.
“Pursue a righteous life – a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy.” (1 Timothy 6 v 11 The Message)
To be really truly sorry of our failure to obey,
Not only have we disappointed and offended our Father,
We have necessitated His beloved Son living for us,
To die upon the †in agony, to gain forgiveness for us.
For as our Father’s mercy is steadfastly loving,
It is unfailing, true to His personality as Creator and Perfector.
When we allow the power of holy love to wash over us,
We view the † differently, seeing here how love works.
“…boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 28 v 31 NLT)
That pure love which is holy, gains the victory.
Deliverance and acceptance become our claim,
As we name Christ Jesus, Lord and Saviour,
The Word of Life, God’s offer of forgiveness,
Our hope of a heavenly destiny secured.
Oh what a difference the †makes to us!
All sinfulness atoned for, no more condemned to
The prison of fear, of punishment, and death obliterated by faith in Jesus.
“Now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8 v 1 NLT)
We have become a new creation, an Easter family,
Fully loved, our sin’s forgiven and forgotten,
That we in our turn can forgive all others.
This is the active, effective power of love we discover.
All thanks ever be to the Lord God Almighty,
For this extraordinary power of love giving mercy.
To Christ Jesus too, living, dying and rising again
To remain with us forever as the world’s Saviour.
“ ‘Be sure of this: I am with you always even to the end of the age’.” (Matthew 28 v 20 NLT)
Christ Jesus offers to share His holiness with us,
For we have been redeemed of all sinfulness
At the † of holy, merciful loving forgiveness.
We offer then, all thanks too for the Holy Spirit,
The Advocate, the Paraclete standing alongside us!
For He recognises the most challenging part in all of this
Is possibly, probably to forgive ourselves from the heart.
But guided by the Spirit, we can and will, rejoicing in the fresh hope in Christ Jesus.
“Gives us grace and glory.” (Psalm 84 v 11 NLT)
“Who may stand in His holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure; who do not worship idols and never tell lies.” (Psalm 24 v 3, 4 NLT)
Let us pray with gratitude for:
“Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23 v 6 NLT);
The mercy of holy love;
Our new creation no longer under sins’ condemnation because Christ Jesus is our Healer;
The power of prayer: “O LORD, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly
saved. My praises are for You alone!” (Jeremiah 17 v 14 NLT)
“Your unfailing love is better than life itself,” (Psalm 63 v 3) and we experience this love through the friendship of Christ Jesus, by the active, effective work of the Holy Spirit;
“You satisfy me more than the richest feast” (v 5) the greatest excitement the world can offer;
To know, love, honour and serve the Holy Trinity results in my wanting to daily “Praise You with songs of joy.” (v 5) ;
“You are my Helper” (v 7) My Healer, my Saviour, my Sanctifier, my hope of heaven, whereby “I cling to You, Your strong right hand holds me securely.” (v 8)
Hope is faith trusting in Your mercy;
The grace of sincere repentance;
The ability of renounce satan and all his deception;
The courage to confess to my sinfulness;
The recurring opportunity to begin again;
The humility which owns its faults and failings, then looks for healing help;
The assistance offered when we pray: “O my strength, to You I sing praises; for You, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.” (Psalm 59 v 17 NLT)
The mercy which gives hope to a failing, fallen, broken world, because at the x of Christ Jesus, a real victory is won;
This victory is over sin and death. “With God’s help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes.” (Psalm 60 v 12 NLT)
My whole being longs for You, holy Trinity, and whenever I pray the outcome is good. It is godly and I feel close to You.
“What joy for those who can live in Your house, always singing Your praises.” (Psalm 84 v 4 NLT);
We can practise for this weight of glory even now through our worship made in Christ Jesus’ name;
We have a Brother who is recognisable as our Saviour and Redeemer ever with us by the graced gift of the Holy Spirit;
“Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture” – safe under the Shepherd’s care – “Will thank you forever and ever, praising Your greatness from generation to generation.” (Psalm 79 v 13 NLT) for our deliverance and acceptance in Christ Jesus, by the power of the life giving Spirit of holiness. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
MERCY
HOPE
