"A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth..." (Ps 112:5; KJV). We learn in many places in scripture that God wants us to be generous to the poor. In Proverbs 19:17 it says that God will pay back to us what we give to the poor and in Proverbs 28:27 it says that if we give to the poor we will not lack.

It's not just in the Old Testament that we read this either; in the gospel of Mathew (Matt 5:42). Jesus said to give to him who begs from you and don’t look the other way. The Greek word for give in that verse is, didomi, which means to give freely as Christ would give. In other words, we have to have a desire to give and be a blessing. We know from many scriptures that when we give God promises to bless us, for example in Ecclesiastes 11:1 it says to: "cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days", also in Mathew 10:42 we are told that if we only give a cup of water to someone we will be rewarded.

The apostle Paul quoted Jesus as saying: “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:25). The early church clearly had giving and meeting needs established; they had all things in common; gave generously and no one was in lack (Acts 4:32-37)!

Lord give us a heart for the needy.

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The word of God is full of references to mercy. In Ephesians 2:4, we read that God is rich in mercy and in Lamentations 3:23, we are reminded that his mercies are new every day.

So, what is mercy? It is compassion, love, pity, goodness and kindness; a tender desire to bless and do good, especially to the sinner, the hurt and the needy. In several interactions with the Pharisees and Scribes, Jesus illustrated mercy by contrasting it to the harsh, judgmental and legalistic attitude of such leaders. (Matt 9:13; 12; Luke 23:23) In several such encounters Jesus quoted from the book of the prophet Hosea (Hos 6:6) where God said: “I desired mercy not sacrifice” (KJV).

He used the parable of the Good Samaritan to exemplify the attitude and outworking of mercy. (Luke 10:37) The Samaritan cared for a Jewish man who had been robbed and beaten when others of the victim’s nationality walked by without showing any compassion. The point of the story is even more poignant when you consider the enmity between these two people groups.

It was God’s mercy that saved us and we are called to walk in his mercy in our own lives: “mercy rejoiceth against judgment” (James 2:13); “be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

Lord, may your mercy flow through us.

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 I was studying the Holy Spirit and was reminded that he is called the helper (John 14:26; Greek parakletos), intercessor, comforter, advocate, assistant, one who pulls alongside to help and support. He gives us a prayer language (Acts 2:4; tongues) so he can help us pray when we don’t know how to pray for a situation (Rom 8:26-27). Tongues also edify and build up our faith (1 Cor 14:4; Jude 20).

The Holy Spirit guides us and directs (Acts 16:6-7) us and reveals God’s word to us (John 14:26). He is the power of God that changes us ever closer to God’s image (2 Cor 3:17-18), brings life to our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11), enables us to be the witnesses God desires (Acts 1:8) and enables us to do even greater works than Jesus did (John 14:12).

He spreads Gods love abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5). If we allow him he will develop his fruit in our lives: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance” (Gal 2: 22-23).  

Wow, we receive the Holy Spirit to live inside us when we are saved (2 Cor 1:22).  But God will also further fill us or empower us (baptize us) with the fullness of his Spirit (Acts 2:4; 4:3) and we only have to ask (Luke 11:13).

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 In the Prophets and the book of beginnings (Genesis), I am particularly struck by the awesome nature and power of our God, his might and dominion and yet his love and compassion; it’s almost beyond comprehension for me. What a mighty God we serve. I realize I struggle to praise and worship God as he deserves.

"And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly” (Ex 19:18; KJV). The people of Israel were terrified. "I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." (Isa 6:1). The seraphim or heavenly beings worshiped God most high crying: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isa 6:3). Isaiah tells us that God’s voice caused the door posts of the temple to shake and his presence filled the temple with smoke (Isa 6:4).

This same mighty God also expressed such love (Zeph 3:17) and compassion for his people Israel (Mic 7:19).

Reflect on our God today; find time to just praise and worship him for who he is, not what he can do for you.

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In first Timothy chapter 6 Paul admonishes his son in the Lord to avoid people that want to argue with God’s word and those who chase after money. He even says to flee these things (verse 11) but to pursue God’s will: “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (KJV). Righteousness is to be in right standing with God; Jesus won this for us by his death and resurrection (2 Cor 5:21) but we have to learn to walk in it. Godliness is to be God like and again, is something we grow in as we study his word and allow the Holy Spirit to change us. Our very walk with God is a walk of faith (Gal 3:11) and the Bible tells us that faith works by love (Gal 5:6) but requires patience (Heb 6:12). The primary way we grow our faith is by studying God’s word (Rom 10:17).

Meekness (also translated gentleness) is an interesting word. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit as are love and patience (Gal 5:22-23). To be meek is not to be like a mouse but it means to be confident in the power and victory we have in Christ with our emotions and power under control. This is well illustrated in 2 Timothy 2:24-25, where Paul exhorts Timothy not to quarrel but to teach and correct with humility, gentleness and patience.

So, what do we get out of all of this? Well, don’t run after money, be teachable, be humble and run after Jesus every day; aim to be more like him. If we seek him first, all the other God things will be added to us (Matt 6:33). Keep on pursuing Jesus this week.

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