Jesus Gives Mercy

 Jesus Gives Mercy

 “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:43

A condemned criminal was sent to his death by his country. In his final moments, he asked for mercy. Had he asked for mercy from the people, it would have been denied . . . But it wasn’t to these he turned for grace. He turned instead to the bloodied form of the One who hung on the cross next to his and pleaded, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus answered by saying, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

No More

 “The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command.”  1 Thessalonians 4:16, NIV

Have you ever wondered what that command will be? It will be the inaugural word of heaven.

I could very well be wrong, but I think the command that puts an end to the pains of the earth and initiates the joys of heaven will be two words: “No more.”

No more loneliness. No more tears. No more death. No more sadness. No more crying. No more pain.

Let Us Wait

 “The day of the Lord will come like a thief.”  2 Peter 3:10

Paul says “we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently” (Romans 8:25).

Peter tells us: “You should live holy lives and serve God, as you wait for and look forward to the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:11-12).

Hope of the future is not a license for irresponsibility in the present. Let us wait forwardly, but let us wait.

Five Stones

 “David took [the armor] all off. He took his stick in his hand and chose five smooth stones from a stream.”  1 Samuel 17:39-40

The king tried to give David some equipment. “What do you want, boy? Shield? Sword? . . .”

David had something else in mind. Five smooth stones and an ordinary leather sling.

The soldiers gasped. Saul sighed. Goliath jeered. David swung. And God made his point. “Anyone who underestimates what God can do with the ordinary has rocks in his head.”

By Max Lucado