For Reading and Meditation:      Philippians 2:1-13As we conclude our study of the phrase, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy", we ask ourselves: What would happen if we really put into practice this important principle? It would mean that we would look at everyone through Christian eyes. We would see sinners, not merely as the victims of sin and Satan, but as men and women who are to be pitied. We would see a fellow Christian who falls by the way, not as someone to come down on, but as someone to be lifted up. Far too many of us walk about with judgmental attitudes, and whenever anyone slips up, we either harangue them with a Bible text or wither them with a look of scorn. We have the philosophy of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Failure is met with derision and wrong is met with contempt. I have no hesitation in saying that such attitudes ought not to be found among the people of God. Wherever they are present, they will eat like acid into the soul. Being merciful means letting Christ have control of our lives so that His gentleness overcomes our vindictiveness, His kindness our unkindness, and His bigness our littleness. Are you a merciful person? Do you look upon those who have fallen with concern and compassion - or is your attitude one of contempt and scorn? Can you feel pity for those who have been duped by the world and the devil? If so, then - congratulations! You have passed the test and are on your way to experiencing spiritual health and happiness. Blessed indeed are those who are merciful - for they will obtain mercy.O my Father, with all my heart I cry out - help me to be a merciful person. Touch my whole being today by Your blessed Holy Spirit so that I might be changed into Your image. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Luke 18:1-14</li><li>2 Corinthians 8:1-9</li><li>Hebrews 2:17-18</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>How did Jesus show mercy?</li><li>How do you show mercy?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (v. 4) 

It is a common-place thought, and yet it tastes like nectar to the weary heart-Jesus was tempted as I am. You have heard that truth many times: have you grasped it? He was tempted to the very same sins into which we fall. Do not dissociate Jesus from our common manhood. It is a dark room which you are going through, but Jesus went through it before. It is a sharp fight which you are waging, but Jesus has stood foot to foot with the same enemy. Let us be of good cheer, Christ has borne the load before us, and the blood-stained footsteps of the King of glory may be seen along the road which we traverse at this hour. There is something sweeter yet-Jesus was tempted, but Jesus never sinned. Then, my soul, it is not needful for thee to sin, for Jesus was a man, and if one man endured these temptations and sinned not, then in his power his members may also cease from sin. Some beginners in the divine life think that they cannot be tempted without sinning, but they mistake; there is no sin in being tempted, but there is sin in yielding to temptation. Herein is comfort for the sorely tempted ones. There is still more to encourage them if they reflect that the Lord Jesus, though tempted, gloriously triumphed, and as he overcame, so surely shall his followers also, for Jesus is the representative man for his people; the Head has triumphed, and the members share in the victory. Fears are needless, for Christ is with us, armed for our defence. Our place of safety is the bosom of the Saviour. Perhaps we are tempted just now, in order to drive us nearer to him. Blessed be any wind that blows us into the port of our Saviour's love! Happy wounds, which make us seek the beloved Physician. Ye tempted ones, come to your tempted Saviour, for he can be touched with a feeling of your infirmities, and will succour every tried and tempted one.

This timeless classic from Charles Spurgeon will help to both start and end your day with wonderful insight into God's Word.

Charles Spurgeon's Morning & Evening

"He himself hath suffered being tempted." - Hebrews 2:18

Evening Devotional

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will con- tend with him who contends with you … All flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. § Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. § In that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. § The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 I am with you to save you. 

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. § Sympathize with our weaknesses. He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. § Jesus … being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. Jesus wept. § For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the Lord viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death. § He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. § When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path. He who touches you touches the apple of His eye. § In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them.

 I know their sorrows. 

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. § The exhortation … speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.” § Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. § For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. § God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.

 Now for a little while . . . you have been grieved by various trials. 

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be temped by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. [They] lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit … was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. § Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.

Evening Daily Light

 The day of trial in the wilderness. 

Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. Able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Able to aid those who are tempted. Able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” . . . “According to your faith let it be to you.”

 I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able. 

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. When the tempter came to [ Jesus], he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” … The devil … showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory … Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan!” In that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Blessed is the man who endures temptation.

 In all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

His mercy endures forever § The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy. § Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity … ? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. § Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. A merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

 Has His mercy ceased forever? 

It happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” Job spoke, and said:.. “Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, who long for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than hidden treasures?” § Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save Me from this hour”? § In all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

 Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. 

18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.<cr>1</cr>

Hebrews 2:18

 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  

Bible Verse of the Day

July 30, 2017

Hebrews 2:18 NIV

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