In Romans 12:3 it says that the gift of mercy is extended with cheerfulness. I love the Strong’s definition. It means graciousness, joyfulness, gladness, benevolence, amiability, cheerfulness, gaiety, affability. Note in my Bible. In primitive lands Bible translators define it as the heart is laughing and the eyes are dancing. 

We are to put on mercy, somewhat like as we put on clothes. We clothe our attitude with His mercy towards us and extend it to others. Romans 13:14 says, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

When we want to lash out in anger, we must remember God’s mercy to us. Proverbs 29:11 in the Amplified says, “A (self-confident) fool utters all his anger, but a wise man  holds it back and stills it.” What a contrast between a fool and one who is wise.

Any thought you have that is against your design, or against another is a fiery dart. Why do I say that? We are created in the image of God for relationship. Not only with Him but with others.

Philippians 2:3 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Pride is destructive. Humility is life-giving. James 4:6 says, “…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The Lord has a way of humbling us. It is far better for us to humble ourselves. That means to bow our heart down in obedience to His word. Jesus exuded humility. Since we are to represent Him, we must walk in humility. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

It is easy to get stressed. The key is to quickly de-stress through the truth of God’s word. We can use it as our prayer, declaration, or affirmation of faith. Our strength comes only from the Lord. 

In Psalm 121:1-2 a question was asked and answered. It says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Everyone who has put their faith and trust in Jesus has God’s resurrection power dwelling in them. The same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead is in us! Ephesians 1:19 says “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”

In each seemingly impossible situation, we recognize afresh that we are powerless without the Lord and cry out to Him. Crying out is a humble acknowledgement of our dependence.

This is a crepe myrtle on my walk this morning. It reminded me of Jacob’s words about Joseph. Genesis 49:22 says, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well; his branches run over the wall.” May our lives bear much fruit that will bring the Lord glory.

David wrote Psalm 139. In it he described how our Creator God watched us being woven in our mother’s womb. I love his words to express God’s attentiveness. Verse 13 says, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.”

Verse 16 says, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” God has a record of how many days we will live.

We will live out those days. Our quality of life depends on our thought processes. One of the biggest factors to maintaining vital health is to manage stress. No matter what are circumstances are, God is Present. Every breath we take we are breathing in the Presence of the Eternal God.

Take a slow breath in and realize that you just filled your lungs with His life-giving power.

Psalm 144:3-4 says, “Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.”

David also wrote Psalm 8. Verse 3-4 says, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” 

Great questions. Genesis 1:26 says that we are created in God’s image. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that He has put eternity in our hearts. How amazing to consider. You and I are created to have a relationship with God who is Eternal.

I love to think about Jeremiah 1:5. It says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” Included in the seed of our conception is the whole of our lives while on earth and throughout eternity.

By Asaph intentionally recalling Who the Lord is, he strategically directed his thoughts. Verse 11-12 says, “I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.”

Our relationship with the Lord develops more deeply through our trials. He reveals Himself to us in ways we may not have known Him before. I love David’s heart-words.

Psalm 144:2 says, “My lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge…” This verse reminds me of Psalm 18:1-2. There is emotion to his words ~ his heart’s connection to the Lord.

It says, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”