MONDAY JUNE 29, 2020
DON'T TAKE GOD FOR GRANTED
TEXT: LAMENTATIONS 3:22-26
KEY VERSE: "It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (LAMENTATIONS 3:22, 23).
The fall of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem had brought untold suffering upon the people. Their sorrow, the direct consequences of their sins and rebellion against God's word, was boundless. Yet, the prophet who personally witnessed it, urged them to repent and rely on the sure mercies of God.
Israel had turned sin into a habit that appeared to give them immeasurable pleasure. Ceaselessly, the Lord warned them through His prophets and messengers. They would only repent by turning to Him in the face of imminent danger or oppression in the hands of heathen enemy nations. Prophet Jeremiah fearlessly prophesied about their seventy-year captivity as a result of their sin, but they never bothered.
The prophet in our text had felt personal sorrow over the tragedy of the destructions and attendant sufferings of the people. However, he was quick to remember that God will not always chide neither will He keep His anger forever. He told them that though they were in such sorrow, yet, it was of the Lord's mercies they were not consumed.
Many people take God's mercy for licence. They are quick to claim that if He did not approve of their sinful lifestyle, they would have been destroyed. But they are ignorant of God's attribute of long-suffering.
Have you ever pondered on the magnitude of God's judgment? It is wise to ask for His mercy than wait for His sentence. There is danger in waiting until the door of mercy is shut. Repent and be reconciled unto the Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Don't take God's mercy as license to sin.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 KINGS 21-22
HIGHER EVERYDAY
MONDAY JUNE 29, 2020
MENTORS IMPROVE MENTEES
TEXT: MARK 6:7-13
MEMORY VERSE: "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits" (MARK 6:7).
Susan M. Heathfield describes mentoring as, "A formal or informal relationship established between an experienced, knowledgeable employee and an inexperienced or new employee." As Christ did with His twelve disciples, the purpose of mentoring is to help the new employee to quickly absorb the norms of an institution. In our text, Christ helped His disciples to grow in faith and become ready to win souls into the kingdom. Therefore, as an experienced, knowledgeable believer, you can help your new converts to become more knowledgeable and effective in the Word of God, so that they can also reach others with the gospel.
You must do everything you can to assist the new convert - your mentee - spiritually and socially, to the point of becoming disciples and friends. You can provide additional assistance to make them grow in grace while ensuring that they are grounded in the Scriptures and are living a Christ-like life. However, you cannot be a good mentor when you are not growing in grace, for the popular adage says, "The blind cannot lead the blind." Mentor by example.
QUOTE: The blind cannot lead the blind.
CHALLENGE: Are you living a Christ-like life?
PRAYER: Lord, help me to grow as I learn through your servants.