For Reading and Meditation:      Lamentations 3:19-27Now we come to the turning point of the seventy-third psalm - the point where the psalmist takes the first step toward the resolution of his problem. We must not forget that the purpose of this psalm is to show us how the writer solved his problem, so that when we get into the same kind of difficulty we can apply the same solutions. Here, then, is his first step: "If I had said, 'I will speak thus,' I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me" (Psalm 73:15-16). We see in these words what it was that arrested his feelings of doubt and despair - the thought that if he were to speak out of his discouraged heart he would put a stumbling block in someone else's path. "If I did that," he thinks to himself, "I would be untrue to the generation of God's children. So, rather than discourage others with my doubts, I will not say anything at all." Some might regard it as strange that the first step the psalmist took on the road to recovery should be one with such a low motivation. Indeed, there are those who have said it was unworthy of him and that he should not have allowed himself to get into that condition. Similarly, when people in the Church today confess to having "unspiritual" feelings, I am sure you have heard judgmental advice-givers address them with words like: "You ought not to feel like that!" But the point is that they do feel like that, and reality demands that we begin right where they are and not where we would like them to be. Personally, I do not care how low a person's stand might be as long as he or she is standing and not slipping.Gracious and loving Father, teach me how to handle myself in a crisis and help me not to be too proud to begin at the lowest level. Better to have my feet on the lowest rung of the ladder than to be struggling in the mire. 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>Hebrews 4:1-16</li><li>Matthew 9:36</li><li>Mark 1:41</li><li>Luke 7:13</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Why can we come boldly to the Lord with our feelings?</li><li>What will we obtain?</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

" my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope." (vv. 20-21) 

For Reading and Meditation:      Hebrews 4:1-16We turn now to consider that facet of God's character which we describe as "grace." Grace is more than a synonym for love; it is a characteristic of the Deity which is quite close to love (and mercy) but yet deserves to be seen as different and distinctive. I heard an old Welsh preacher say: "Grace is a word with a 'stoop' in it; love reaches out on the same level, but grace always has to stoop to pick one up." It was probably this same thought that an anonymous writer had in mind when he said: "Grace is love at its loveliest, falling on the unlovable and making it lovely." But it is to the great Puritan preacher Thomas Goodwin we must turn for the best clarification of the difference between love and grace: "Grace is more than mercy and love. It superadds to them. It denotes not simply love but love of a sovereign, transcendently superior One that may do what He will, that may freely choose whether He will love or no. There may be love between equals, and an inferior may love a superior, but love in a Superior, and so superior that He may do what He will, in such a One love is called grace. Grace is attributed to princes; they are said to be 'gracious' to their subjects whereas subjects cannot be gracious to princes." Grace then is God's kindness bestowed upon the undeserving; benevolence handed down to those who have no merit; a hand reaching down to those who have fallen into a pit. The Bible bids us believe that on the throne of the universe there is a God like that.Loving and gracious God, help me understand more deeply than ever what it means to be a recipient of Your grace. I have some idea but I long to realize it even more. Help me, my Father. In Jesus' Name. 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>Daniel 9:1-18</li><li>Deuteronomy 9:5</li><li>1 Peter 5:5</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Is grace the result of righteousness?</li><li>Who does God give grace to?</li></ul></div></div>

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence " (v. 16)

For Reading and Meditation:      Psalm 139:1-24We continue exploring the fact that God is not only powerful, but personal. The constituent parts of personality are predicated of God on almost every page of the Bible. "I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind," said the Lord to Eli in 1 Samuel 2:35. This shows (if it needs showing) that God has a mind with which He thinks. God has emotions also - another aspect of personality. Some modern-day theologians claim that God is unable to feel, but clearly this is not supported by Scripture. God can be angry (Psalm 2:12), jealous (Zechariah 1:14-15), merciful (Psalm 78:38), and joyful (Deuteronomy 30:9). These are just a few of the emotions which Scripture talks about, but there are many more. Again, God chooses and decides. "And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth  And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created " (Genesis 6:6-7, KJV). While the majority of human beings believe in some kind of God, many view Him as being so great that He cannot possibly take a personal interest in such insignificant creatures as ourselves. Dr. Henry Norris Russell, one of the great astronomers of this century and a Christian, once gave a talk on the vastness of the universe. Afterwards someone asked him this question: "How is it possible for such a great and infinite God to have time for me?" This was his reply: "An infinite God can dispatch the affairs of this universe in the twinkling of an eye, thus giving Him plenty of time for you."O Father, help me in the midst of every trial and difficulty to drop my anchor in this reassuring and encouraging revelation - no matter what my problem, You always have plenty of time to give to me. I am so deeply, deeply thankful. 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>Hebrews 4:12-16</li><li>Psalm 2:12</li><li>Zechariah 1:14-15</li><li>Psalm 78:38</li><li>Deuteronomy 30:9</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Can you think of other scriptures showing God's emotions?</li><li>What is God able to do through Christ?</li></ul></div></div>

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" (v. 17)

For Reading and Meditation:      Hebrews 4:12-16Yesterday we ended with the case of the woman who said that she didn't know how to mourn, when in reality her problem was she didn't want to mourn. Whenever we are unwilling to face a negative emotion, it implies that we are not in control of it, but that it is in control of us. Christians are often taught to pretend that they feel joyful when really they are miserable. Our text today, however, tells us that we have a great High Priest who can sympathise with us in our weaknesses. How pointless it is to conceal our weaknesses from the Lord and deny ourselves the comfort of His uncritical compassionate understanding. This is very important, for I would say that eight out of ten Christians have a completely wrong view of how to handle hurts and sorrows. The typical Christian reaction to negative emotions is either denial or expression. We dealt yesterday with the issue of denial - refusing to face them and feel them - so let's consider for a moment what we mean by the term "expression". The expression of emotions is the act of letting our emotions out. This is a popular approach with many of today's counsellors and therapists. They say, when you feel upset, hurt or angry, then shout and scream or punch a pillow until you have released those pent-up emotions. There is no doubt that some relief can be gained in this way, but it is not a very Biblical or mature way of dealing with our negative feelings. The right way of handling negative feelings is neither to deny them or express them, but to acknowledge them. But more of that tomorrow. O Father, I see that this whole issue of emotions is a minefield in which I must tread carefully and cautiously. Take my hand as I move through this area and lead me to clear and Biblical conclusions. For Jesus' sake. 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 10:25-37</li><li>Luke 7:13</li><li>Matthew 9:36</li><li>Matthew 20:34</li><li>Mark 1:41</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Jesus always demonstrating?</li><li>How did He graphically illustrate this?</li></ul></div></div>

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses '" (v. 15)

The mercy of God is His pity, lovingkindness and compassion on those who are guilty, failing, distressed or needy. The Scriptures emphasize that God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) and plenteous in mercy (Psalms 86:5). His mercy is abundant (1 Peter 1:3); it is great unto the heavens (Psalms 57:10). "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him" (Psalms 103:11). God is spoken of as "the Father of mercies" (2 Corinthians 1:3), One who is "very pitiful and of tender mercy" (James 5:11). He is impartial in bestowing mercy: "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). Men are not saved by works of righteousness (Titus 3:5) but by His sovereign mercy (Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:15). His mercy endures forever to those who fear Him (Psalms 136:1; Lu. 1:50), but for the impenitent it is for this life only.There is a difference between grace and mercy. Grace means that God showers me with blessings which I do not deserve. Mercy means that He does not give me the punishment that I do deserve.Every doctrine of the Scripture has duty attached. The mercies of God require, first of all, that we should present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God (Romans 12:1). It is the most reasonable, rational, sane, sensible thing we can do.Then, too, God would have us to be merciful to one another. A special reward is promised to the merciful: "they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). The Lord would rather have mercy than sacrifice (Matthew 9:13), that is, great acts of sacrifice are unacceptable if they are divorced from personal godliness.The good Samaritan is the one who shows mercy to his neighbor. We show mercy when we feed the hungry, clothe the poor, nurse the sick, visit the widows and orphans, and weep with those who weep.We are merciful when we refuse the opportunity to take vengeance on someone who has wronged us, or when we show compassion on those who have failed.Remembering what we are, we should pray for mercy for ourselves (Hebrews 4:16) and for others (Galatians 6:16; 1 Timothy 1:2).Finally the mercies of God should tune our hearts to sing His praise.When all thy mercies, O my God,My rising soul surveys,Transported with the view I'm lost,In wonder, love, and praise.Joseph Addison

With reverence, humor and skill, William MacDonald wove a daily devotional tapestry that challenges the reader to think deeply and Biblically, and apply God's Word to their lives.

Truths to Live By - One Day at a Time

"God…is rich in mercy." (Ephesians 2:4)

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

 Fear not, I am the first and the last 

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died … who also makes intercession for us. § Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. § There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For 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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. § Through Him we . . . have access by one Spirit to the Father.

 He always lives to make intercession. 

[Jesus], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. § [He] is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory. Seeing … that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For 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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.

 You shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord. 

The way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest. § Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh … let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. § Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed. § Through Him we … have access by one Spirit to the Father.

 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark. . . . And there I will meet with you. 

Pursue … holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. § God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. § But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. § By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified. This is the law of the temple: The whole area surrounding the mountaintop is most holy. § Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. § Seeing  … that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us … come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 

And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious. We have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. § For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. § We have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. § Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 The king held out  … the golden scepter …Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. § You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” I did not say to the seed of Jacob, “Seek Me in vain.” § Therefore … having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. § We may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

<blockquote>
God . . . hath quickened us together with Christ and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus' (<a id="verse_1632879876340965" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/2/6">Eph. 2:6</a>).
</blockquote>What is our attitude concerning our needs in the Christian life and warfare? Are we outside the armory, struggling and pleading for supplies? Or are we inside the arsenal, ready to be fully supplied and armed as our daily needs require? "Be strong in the Lord - be empowered through your union with Him; draw your strength from Him" (<a id="verse_1632879876433803" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/6/10">Eph. 6:10</a>, Amp.)."It has come these days with new light and power that the first thing we have to see to as we draw near to God day by day is that our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. If we listen in the stillness till our hearts begin to respond to what He is thinking and feeling about the matter in question, whether it concerns ourselves or others, we can, from that moment, begin praying downwards from the Throne, instead of praying upwards from ourselves." -L.T."We must not think the revelation as to the will of God is an end in itself; it is but the first phase of a prayer ministry. When Daniel had prayed through to an understanding of the ways of the Lord, he then set himself three times a day to persevere in prayer for the fulfillment. His prayer ministry took him into the lion's den, but it also brought him out again, and he was able to see the things through to the glorious end." -H.F."Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (<a id="verse_1632879876456340" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Hebrews/4/16">Heb. 4:16</a>).

A 365 day devotional that will help you in your Christian growth and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.  This devotional is a collection of quotes from some of the best authors in the realm of Christian growth that has been organized by Miles J Stanford.  This devotional study is divided into 12 sections each containing 31 daily portions.

None but the Hungry Heart

 Prayer Perseverance 

<blockquote>
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (<a id="verse_1632880762971287" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/4/19">Phil. 4:19</a>).
</blockquote>If and when the trial comes, you will find Him waiting there."We should always be prepared for circumstances that will arise, and for blessings that are to come, without foreseeing what these circumstances and blessings will be. This preparation consists in attention to present responsibility, and acceptance of present discipline."If day by day we first seek divine direction, and then follow it, we shall be ready, when new circumstances arise, for the new blessings which will be offered. Today should be preparation for tomorrow. The only proof that we shall be equal to tomorrow's test is that we are meeting today's test believingly and courageously. The only evidence that we shall be willing for God's will tomorrow is that we are subject to His will today." -W.G.S."Our Lord has special reserves of grace for special needs. If ever you feel that you could not go through a certain trial, that if you had to face that, you just could not go through with it, you are taking on something that you have no right to take on."If the Lord calls you to go through fire or water, He has a special reserve of grace for you in that. And that grace will be from the throne of grace. It is the throne above, mediating grace for need and suffering as it is required." -T. A-S."Let us. . . come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (<a id="verse_1632880762205248" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Hebrews/4/16">Heb. 4:16</a>).

 Grace And Mercy 

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Let us then approach<cr>1</cr> God’s throne of grace with confidence,<cr>2</cr> so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

 16 Let us then approach   God’s throne of grace with confidence,   so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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

 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 Let us then approach   God’s throne of grace with confidence,   so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Bible Verse of the Day

March 4, 2022

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

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