I recently read a story about a prison inmate, whom we’ll call Dan. Dan and his cellmate had some volatile exchanges in the past, and then Dan’s cellmate wanted Dan’s boots.

Dan refused to give up his boots to this menace. Then Dan received word that he would soon be released from prison. The fiery cellmate again asked for Dan’s boots, but Dan refused.

Then the prisoners were taken to watch a DVD series. Session #1, “How To Find the Secret To Happiness” would not work in the DVD player, so the guards played Session #2, “How To Change The World Around You.” This session discussed the topic of mercy, which is giving people what they don’t deserve.

The narrator said God gives us mercy even though we don’t deserve it, and we should do the same for others.

After watching the DVD Dan said, “I now know what I have to do before I leave; I have to give him my boots.”

Each day often includes Problems

Every day brings about new sources of stress, as Dan discovered. Financial worries, loss of a loved one, and familial tension break our hearts and grieve our souls. It’s a wonder some of us can get out of bed every morning.

Yet, Scripture assures us that God’s love and truth protects us, even amid the great troubles of this world.

The Psalmist writes, “Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me — too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.” (Psalm 40:11-12, The Voice)
If you are dealing with overwhelming troubles, rest in the promise that God knows your troubles. Take your grievances to Him and allow His peace to flood over you.

The start of a new year brings new chances, new opportunities. For those who made mistakes in 2014, this month brings about new hope. We look forward to the chance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life.

If you have a burden too great to bear, take it to God. The apostle Paul writes, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV)

Approach God with confidence, knowing that He hears you and longs to sit with you in your time of need. He wants to help you and pour out His mercy upon you.

Each day that God allows Problems, He gives New mercies

The Bible tells us: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV)

Isn’t it comforting to know that God’s compassion for us does not renew itself every year or every month? Rather, it is new every morning.

Every morning we wake up, God is ready to give us a new start, another chance to right the wrongs we commit in this world. Another chance to love the unloved and to apologize to those we hurt. Every day we have the opportunity to experience God’s mercies in a fresh way.

Instead of making New Year’s resolutions to drop 10 pounds or get more organized, why not commit to experiencing God’s mercies every morning? They are ours for the taking as God gets ready to give YOU a New Year!

Shared with you by By Elizabeth Oates