“But when Pharaoh saw that relief had come, he became stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had predicted.” Exodus 8:15 Isn’t it so easy for us to look at Pharaoh and shake our heads in disbelief? After numerous plagues that destroyed his crops, land, and people, he still refused to surrender and allow the Israelites to go free. I’ll admit it, I’m stubborn. I have been my whole life. The more I thought about this story from the Bible, the more I realized that we can sometimes adopt an attitude like Pharaoh’s. Yes, another plague had come. Yes, it was awful. Yes, it weakened him and his people. But once it was over and relief had come, he turned back to his old ways and became stubborn and adamant that the Israelites would not go free. How often do we do that? We struggle and cry out to God for relief and provision, only to have it come and reject it. Ungrateful, unmoved, and unchanged. We must take the time to recognize and appreciate every blessing that God gives us. Even though it may not come in the way we thought it would,…

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” I Peter 1:3-4 My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand. All week we have been looking at the blessings that our Amazing God has supplied for us. There are others we could mention, but to close off our series, how fitting it is to consider the hope that Jesus has given us of spending eternity in His presence. When Jesus was preparing His disciples for His coming death, He did not leave them without hope. John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for…

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” The story behind this great hymn is a perfect example of how peace can be found in the Lord even after a tragedy. Horatio G. Spafford and his family were scheduled to travel from the United States to Europe. Delayed by pressing business, Spafford sent his wife and daughters ahead. Their ship collided with another ship and sank in just twelve minutes. Spafford’s wife was saved, but his daughters perished. After arriving in Wales, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, “Saved alone.” Spafford then left by boat to meet her. Near the tragic scene on the high seas, he wrote the words that became the song. Even in his great sorrow, he found peace in knowing that the Lord was still in control. We are not promised a life without trials. Times of sorrow will befall…

“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1 I love You, Lord Oh, Your mercy never fails me! And all my days, I’ve been held in Your hands. From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God. Mercy is described as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. We did not deserve His mercy. 1Peter 2:10 “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” God’s mercy never fails. Psalm 103:17-18 “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” We cannot earn His mercy. Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Mercy is offered freely to all who…