“Teach me to feel another’s woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me.” – Alexander Pope
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. – (Matthew 5:7)
What would the Good Samaritan do?
We continue today with this week’s theme of the Good Samaritan – a message of mercy and compassion.
Yesterday when I was riding my bicycle home, I came across a significant two car accident. As I passed by, I asked if anyone was seriously hurt and was told “No.” About …

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” – Abraham Lincoln
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)
What must I do to inherit eternal life?
As mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, God worked out the circumstances such that I listened to Pastor Randy Orndorff’s sermon about the Good Samaritan three different times on my 7th spiritual birthday (Sunday Jan 6). It became very clear to me that God wants to drill home the message …

Faith makes things possible, not easy.
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)
Who is my neighbor? How should I respond?
Yesterday I attended all three morning worship services at the Culpeper United Methodist Church. Pastor Randy Orndorff allowed David Bean and me to support Sam Reeves and Operation Rescue Liberia during each service by sharing short testimonies of how God moved in our lives to get us involved. The Holy Spirit moved in power to inspire other people to get involved.
Around 7 AM …

Knowledge of God leads to trust in God.
Trust in God leads obedience to God.
Obedience to God leads to blessings by God.
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
Why don’t people obey God?
For several years, I used to listen to American Family Radio (AFR) several hours each day when I was home. One of my favorite preachers on AFR was Adrian Rogers. AFR frequently aired this brief but powerful message by Adrian Rogers – “Why don’t people obey God? Because …

Regular times of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reflection lead to peace, stability, and very purposeful living.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:27)
How am I doing in the major areas of my LIFE, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, WORK and CHURCH?
On December 28, 2007 I received this seemingly crazy instruction from the Holy Spirit, “Start 2008 by listening to all of …

“Christianity must evoke from the believer the same response it drew from the first disciples: a passionate desire to obey God – a willingly entered-into discipline. That is the beginning of true discipleship. That is the beginning of loving God”
“Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally RESTORE, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. To Him be the dominion forever. Amen.  (1 Peter 5:10-11)
In what areas of your life do you need restoration?
How might Life …

Master the ordinary! Expect the extraordinary! – the Spirit of the Lord is hovering over the deep
In the beginning, God … (Genesis 1:1)
Are you better or worse off spiritually than you were 12 months ago?
What new daily habit will provide the most spiritual growth in your life in 2008?
What current daily habit most needs to be eliminated in 2008?
What new beginnings is God offering you in 2008?
It seems quite obvious that the Bible uses numbers in patterns.  Who can deny that 40 is significant? In Biblical numerology, “8″ is the …