The Torrents of Religious and Political Posturing Vs. The Authentic Voice of God - Prophetic Exhortation and Insights

by Mary Lindow
 
We Are On The Cusp Of Probably One Of The Greatest Days
Of The Dismantling Of Religious Behavior And Abuse 
In The Charismatic Church
And Evangelical Church To Date.
 
In the days ahead we’re going to see many people hungering for that sacred time in worship where there is a waiting upon the Lord, and in the honoring of his name. Clearly we attract the presence of the Lord when we are focused upon “The Presence”, and not upon the performance.
 
We shouldn’t be surprised if like Jesus, we collide with torrents of political & religious and cultural expectations. So, on a daily basis, our purity of vision to move toward the Kingdom will also cause us deep discomforts that will ask us to set aside our preferences, and our convenience.
 
This  pressing towards the kingdom will ask us to say things that we’d rather not say, to go places that we’d rather not go, to give away things that we’d rather keep.
 
And in this discomfort, each time we have an opportunity to cry out to God:  
“Where did you go? Why does pursuing your kingdom of abundance and peace not always feel like abundance andpeace?”
I’d like to offer these possibilities to ponder.
In every way,
He’s purifying your heart.
 
WHAT IS THIS OBSESSION  THAT IS BEGINNING TO DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY
FROM RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AND STRUCTURAL PROGRAMMING?
 
Is it fatigue from fleshly efforts?
Is it weariness with well doing?
Or!
Is it the beginning of a matter?
 
A. W. Tozer once said,
"Self Is The Blurred Veil That Hides The Face Of God From Us.
It Can Be Removed Only In Spiritual Experience,  Never By Simple Instruction."
 
The Lord is allowing man to have the joy and shock of coming to the end of his means of prodding and producing until he falls into a heap at the feet of the One who has the key to the place of hope and rest!
He. The King of tranquility and Divine Purpose has the place of Sanctuary carved out in a definite place.
 
THE PLACE OF WORSHIP
"But the time is coming--it has, in fact, come--when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter."
"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself--Spirit.
Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” That is all from John: 23-24
 
APOSTOLIC ORIGINS BEGAN WITH THE DEVOTED AND YET WEARY DISCIPLES OF JESUS COMING TOGETHER IN A "PLACE" OF WAITING, RESTING AND WORSHIPING
Those waiting in an upper room.
Hiding from the world and its pressures and threats!
Waiting.
Worshiping.
REMEMBERING the past things they had experienced while walking with Jesus.
They were asking the heart questions of,
"Why are we here?
What are we waiting for?
What is this all about?"
 
My Brothers and Sisters, We are Again...
...In the same place.
 
WE ARE SIMPLY RESTING IN THE KNOWLEDGE 
THAT THE LORD HAS BROUGHT US
TO END OF THE OF THE PAST WAYS
AND FORMS OF MAN.
 
He is preparing the way of His Power with a place of personal introspection and heart searching until we see that we must be truthful in our worship of Him. We must come into agreement with His Spirit and the way that He desires to move among those who know Him and among those who do not.
Old things are passing away.
LOOK! He does a new thing!
New to us,
BUT Not To Him.
 
AS WE BECOME OBSESSED WITH THE IDEA OF NOTHING TO PERFORM,
nothing to take to task, nothing to self generate but only to "marinate" and saturate in, we see the promises He has made begin to be realized. We must bring a mind, which has been emptied of old prejudices, old traditional theology, human philosophy and false data.
A mind so fully humble and empty that the Lord can reveal to it great, bright depths of truth and beauty, and floods of spiritual understanding that we have never dreamed of before! (Amplified Bible)"Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.'-Jeremiah 33:3
 
The Author Francis Frangipane stated so powerfully , "We must bring hearts that are emptied of our abundant earthly attachments and sad, “holier-than-thou” sentimentalism, old friendships, old day intuitive loves.
We must bring empty hands that have handed over our own works, all planning strategies and “string pulling” for self.
Hands and hearts that hold onto no toys, and to no Treasure. Hands that bring no human demand or bargaining skills.
Hands so empty that they can grip firmly the Sword of the Spirit, the cross, or the tool that God may put into them."
 
God fills our nature and fills our lives in relationship to how they are emptied for Him. God knows our heart. He sees what we can’t see.
If we allow Him, He begins taking out all the impurities, emptying us of ourselves and filling us with Himself – so He can use us as a vessel of honor.
 
SO OFTEN AS OF LATE,
IN PLACES OF MEETING AND GATHERINGS OF HUNGRY SAINTS,
THE HOLY HUSH OF HEAVEN HAS FALLEN
WITH SUCH SWEETNESS AND SIMPLICITY.
 
All the fancy trappings of "noisy worship strategy" pale compared to this heavy rich perfumed presence that descends on those who will wait upon the Lord and grow stronger.
 
There is no need for airy or trendy teachings and thoughts. No need for the pious and well-oiled speeches implying the way to go. ( Because they say so!)
Blessed are those who are willing to release all that is not THE Kingdom in them, who let their hearts be purified, for they shall see God himself—God’s life being birthed in every challenge. God’s kingdom coming on Earth as it is in heaven.
As we wait.
Humble.
At His feet...
...He moves upon many within the Body to rise up and declare, to share, risk, expound and grow in the Grace of God, as well as in much Mercy.
 
You are right in the middle of God's process for you. You don't have to settle for God's second best because of somebody else's choices or your own. As you are being who you are in Him, you can do what you are supposed to do. You may have disappointments, but your life is His story with depth, adventure, suspense, surprising plot turns, and darkness that Jesus defeated. Be blessed as you understand more of His story that He is writing in your life.
 
1 Peter 1:5. "...Who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
 
God surrounds you with His favor as a shield. You are shielded by His power, so that in every dark thing you experience, you can live large and strong.
God put you on earth in your exact place for His specific purpose, and you are living in that purpose, even when you don't know it.
Your soul may be grumbling and resisting, but you are living the story that God is ready to reveal to you.
 
God is a lot bigger than you expect Him to be. He's a lot bigger than your circumstances. He is the God of detail. He is deeply involved in the small details of your life
 
HEAVEN LONGS TO KISS THE EARTH AGAIN.
The King of Heaven is descending with an unexplainable and definite wave of stillness.
It is His manifested Presence.
In His Presence. His Sanctuary.
Is fullness.
Completion.
Needs met...
...And Joy.
 
COME. LET US BE MAGNIFICENTLY WRAPPED UP IN HIM!
 "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Thus I have seen you in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory."
- Psalm 63:1-2
 
Let's pray from Ephesians 1.
I ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. 
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion. And every name that is invoked not only in the present age, but also in the one to come. In the power of that name we pray. Amen. 
 
NOW I ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO BE AFRAID
WHEN THE EARTH IS SHAKING
AND STRANGE AND ODD THINGS ARE TAKING PLACE!
 
Unterstand, God is not weak.
He is not deaf.
He is not asleep.
But, he does have an extended power in mercy because he knows that when his justice and judgment is kindled and he moves, it is sovereignty complete and there is no turning back.
This is a time for us to do personal examination, and yeah, there’s a lot of stuff being shaken.
 
A lot of people have been warned, a lot of ministries have still chosen to hide things that are going to come out, because they chose not to go the way of accountability and repentance, and the Lord has to let it come to pass. He doesn’t want his sheep deceived, and he certainly doesn’t want them abused, but it’s also happening in individual lives.
 
If we’re looking to the church and if we’re looking to leaders to be our ultimate guide, then the Lord will allow us to have great disappointment and failures there.
 
EACH OF US IS TO COME BEFORE THE FATHER!
Jesus said how to pray, he taught us! He said to say, “My Father, you are in heaven, holy, holy is your name! Let your kingdom come, let your will be done, (which means in our lives and in others lives) like it is in heaven, and give us today our daily bread.
You see, we look forward to everything we want now down the road instead of accepting that today is enough, it’s sufficient.
So I encourage you to get still, get quiet.
Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
It says in the word whether you turn to the left or to the right there is a voice behind you saying this is the way, walk in it. (Isaiah 30:21)
 It may not be pleasant, may not be popular, and it certainly may not be comfortable, but it is safe and it will keep you in a place where you are determined and at peace to serve the Lord.
 
REMEMBER, DON’T BE AFRAID.
Don’t listen to the frightening narratives, don’t give into the sounds around you telling you to be afraid because that’s the goal of the enemy.
 
Satan comes to bring fear and steal and rob your peace and destroy your trust in the Lord, and Jesus said,  "I AM come! I am! I have come that you might have life, and have it to the fullest!' That’s John 10:10.  And what that means is “might have life to the fullest”.
 
We have to choose to not listen to the world’s narratives, and trust me some of them sound really great! There are some great analytics out there, brillant minds. Brilliant voices, but if they don’t have the God breath, breathed on them, and they are not hearing from God accurately and it is nothing more than just a bunch of propaganda, or people trying to sell stuff, you’re going to get sucked into looking for answers and places that will come up empty.
 
The voice of God is big, but sometimes it’s very still and he wants us to discipline ourselves to get away from our phones get away from all the stuff, and simply bask and wait…
… Until he speaks.
 
I bless you today, and I look forward to our next podcast together. Goodbye for now.
 
Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided that complete article, Podcast link and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You! Copyright © 2024 " THE MESSENGER "
www.marylindow.com
KINGDOM PRAYER ROOMS
www.marylindow.podbean.com
 
If you have been impressed by the Holy Spirit to assist Mary helping her to meet other administrative needs such as website, video teachings and podcast costs, or desire to bless her service with Spirit-led Love gifts 
or regular support:
 
Please JOYFULLY send your gift in the form of:
► Personal Checks ► Business Checks
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ALL gifts are tax-deductible underHis Beloved Ministries 5013c non-profit status.
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THANK YOU!
 
 
 
 

"WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT DOING IN THIS SEASON?" - A PROPHETIC INSIGHT

By Mary Lindow
This  podcast is going to be directed towards the question that many people are asking, (and of course a lot of times believers don’t “ask the question” because they fear that they are going to be judged for asking such a question!) 
But if we don’t ask, we don’t get answers, and so today’s podcast is addressing “What is the Holy Spirit doing during this season”.
 
I have spent time praying and seeking the Lord well for a good month now  and it’s been an interesting time since the last time we were together, and of course, the assignments God puts or put us into, IN different season of life, they never come without challenges and also without redemptive opportunities! And so, that’s what I’m going to be addressing! 
 
I’ve heard from the Spirit of God about what I’m to share. 
I am cautious about giving a word for a specific year because it begins to be kind of a measuring stick for some people to then either compete with or, that’s all they go by. “What the Lord said for 2024, 2023”, whatever, and they don’t listen for themselves, because sometimes it’s not about the year, it’s about the season, and a season can be more than one year! It can be more than a week, it can be a month or two!
 
Wherever we are in the Presence of God in our lives, walking with Jesus, we are in a season, and that season that we’re in right now is a very different time.  That’s where we’re heading today and I encourage you to share this word with those who are crying out to God for answers.
 
The things that are coming up in this next time and in life for all of us, 
They’re going to be challenging! 
 
In order to have the times of refreshing we are crying out for and, 
Are desperate for as believers,
We must learn to rule and reign with grace.
 
Refreshing rains will not fall, and cannot fall in full glory, when we refuse to lay down judgments, manipulations, and self invented “spiritual rules” that do not run parallel with the King of grace who is the ULTIMATE Mercy bringer in this present season. The conviction of God will be strong to cleanse the heart of falsity, the  fear of man and the passivity of half repentance for works of the flesh. 
 
We can get all the people that we know around the globe to pray for us and to pray over us, but we cannot force out the devil and the darkness of our own unforgiveness and intentional blame-shifting. 
 
We give the enemy consistent access to our churches and our lives as long as we “lord it over others”, hiding our own sin, pretending that God does not see.
 
To operate or flow in Mercy means to perform out of a desire to relieve suffering, and is motivated by compassion. The action of forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within   one's power to punish or harm. Mercy shown, prevents something unpleasant or provides relief from suffering.
 
IN THIS SEASON, 
THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESIRES EVERY BELIEVER 
TO DO THEMSELVES AN ETERNAL FAVOR. 
 
TELL THE TRUTH.
 
God will protect you more for doing this than any self-invented cover-up ever could. And, you just might regain relationships with those you have used as stepping-stones to your own deviant self-empowerment.
 
THE HEAVENLY KING OF GLORY  
IS ALWAYS AND FOREVER CREATING NEWNESS OF LIFE!
 
If we are indeed man or a woman of prayer, the test will come of that deep prayer life when your enemies surround you, accuse you, and often attempt to execute and silence you. 
 
Some will manifest in this next year as false friends who use and abuse your friendships and contacts, in order to gain access to notoriety and power over all of the things you are supposed be preparing for yourself. 
 
They will exhaust and weaken you until you once and for all put upon the altar of surrender, any need for someone else to carry you or promote you.  
 
A man or a woman of prayer in these days, right now, will learn to sweep out iniquity, falseness, slander, and “hierarchical pecking orders” through goodness and humility.
 
This is a time to trust, to depend upon, to lean upon, the goodness of the Lord. 
This is a time to trust in His sovereignty more than ever before.
It is His right to define what grace is. 
It is not man’s right. 
 
Prophetic Exhortation 
“And so says the Lord, the Spirit of Grace,
the Voice of Wisdom, and the only Almighty One. 
As you cry out for times of refreshing, for a change in the hearts of men, for a move of my Spirit across the lands of Earth, my command to you is that you begin to create an atmosphere where I may speak My plans, according to My Word and according to My prerogatives.
 
I will lead you and guide you with enough light each day, as you come to that narrow place with me. 
 
I will strengthen your weakened emotions and spiritual discernment as you dialogue in honesty with me. 
 
Some of you must quickly repent of foolish choices and foolish actions that have caused many to be shattered and shamed because you spoke out of a title or calling, rather than out of following my voice.
 
Begin to dig wells in prayer. 
Become entrenched and immersed in it, never ceasing. 
Prepare places where my rain may fall and cause a fresh drinking place for those yet to taste of my goodness, as well as for those who are thirsty within my Body.
 
Begin to dig wells in prayer in dry places, with humility and goodness. 
Lean upon me, trust in me, do not lean upon your own understanding, for you have well seen that having done this in the past you have missed many opportunities to prepare a way of salvation for others.
“I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10)
 
So comfort yourself, weary and tried believer with this thought. Does not the word come like a soft shower, quieting the fury of the flame? Is it not a fireproof armor against the heat, which will then have no power? 
 
Whatever happens to you in this valley of weeping, know that I have chosen it for you.
If you still require an even greater comfort, remember that you have the Son of man with you in the valley, in that “secret place” with you.  There He sits by your side, One whom you have not seen but whom you love and whether you know it or not, this is the true friend who sticks closely by you.
I will never leave one whom I have chosen as my own.
 
Great grace. Great mercy. Great promise. 
All these are yours, extended from my hand, and for you to extend, from your hand. 
 
NOW IS THE SEASON…
…To live out the heart and life of the servant as I lead you with the little light that you have at this time. It is all you need as long as it comes from me. 
It is a time to learn to march forward, to dig wells, to prepare, so that others may also drink freely with no restraints.
When I come and speak to you and move among you, I express everything that is pure and lovely and has a good report and sin and uncleanliness depart.
Peace also rains when I move with humble power. Gentleness will be the result of my transforming power. 
Harmlessness will follow, for hearts that are touched by me are never exhibiting any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness.
My grace is sufficient for you, and you will find it if you will seek it, and above all if you will express it!
“Be strong in the grace that is in me.” (2 Timothy 2:1)
As a reservoir empties itself into pipes, so have I emptied out my grace for my people in this Next Wave of My Heart. 
From my fullness you have received “Grace for Grace”. Grace is always available from me, without price.
“Keep yourselves then, from overconfident, arrogant sins.” (Psalm 19:13) 
You will certainly stumble if you look away from the One who is able to keep you from falling. 
 
Be very cautious about pushing yourself into the forefront of public gatherings and among the more visible. If you are to be used in higher visibility, let it be Me who promotes you there. 
Some who drive themselves to the forefront will also have greater scrutiny and unfortunate exposure of hidden agendas and unholy transactions in this season, and sadly will be brought low again because of their self presumption of importance. 
 
If your love is fervent, your faith constant, and your hope bright, continue 
nonetheless to be on your guard and cry out, “Keep us from temptation!”
 
The seasons revolve according to my Divine appointment and man cannot change their schedule. 
In the spiritual as in the natural realm, man’s power is limited.
I alone can remove the winter of spiritual death from an individual or from a church.
Let me hear you say, “Not my will, but as you will oh Lord!” 
As you yield to me my people, I will yield in return and bring the sweetness of my Holy Presence into your very homes, your gatherings, whether modest or larger numbers are attending. 
I look for honest, wisdom-filled, and humble people to move among and to move through.  
 
Let it be, as I desire! 
As I will!  
Allow me to determine what is the best for you. 
Be content to leave your prayer and your petitions in my hands.
I know when to give, how to give, what to give, and what to withhold.
 
As you visit me in the secret place of repentance and brokenness, as the path becomes narrower, seeking me earnestly and often times pleading with humility and resignation, you shall surely prevail!
I am the light on your pathway. And, I AM all you need.” 
 
This Was A Strong Word From The Lord! 
I encourage you to listen to it and read it and meditate over it, several times, allowing the Holy Spirit to do a deeper work in your heart. 
When the Spirit of God speaks to us about a Season that we are in, or about things that are to come, we need to cleanse our hearts from being impatient, and allow Him to do that work that gets down deep inside and pushes out anything that we are running from, or, He begins to deal with the things that we have been asking questions about, and now he’s bringing the answers. 
I bless you today and encourage you to dedicate yourselves to rich and set apart time in prayer and fellowship with the King of heaven. 
I encourage you to dig wells in prayer. 
It’s not glamorous! 
But, I can tell you this we’ve been having prayer gatherings every Thursday evening now for well over two years now, actually, three now, and I can tell you that there have been nights where it seems like two hours went by and it felt like 15 minutes.
The presence of the Holy Spirit is so sweet and thick, and you know the scripture talks about “the weight of his glory” (2 Corinthians 16-18) there is a presence of weight, a thickness of the presence of God, a rich atmosphere.  
We have seen the impossible take place in prayer!  We have seen lives changed,  we have seen court cases reversed, we have seen sick bodies be recovered and restored and miracles take place in families. 
We are grateful to the Lord that when we come together in his name, he is there with us, and that scripture that says whenever two or more gather in  my name there I am in the midst of them, (Matthew 18:20), that can correspond with the scripture verse that talks about a threefold cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12), and that’s like three strands of a braid. 
 
When we are braided together, that’s a strong bond with the Lord and He is like a cord that’s bound to us whenever we gather and it’s not easily broken and cannot be broken by any other force,
We live in the presence of a Sovereign, Mighty Force, 
and that is the Savior, Jesus Christ. 
 
 
Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed, provided that the complete message or article and website and podcast link information for Mary Lindow is included. 
 
Thank You!
Copyright © 2024 " THE MESSENGER "~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
www.marylindow.podbean.com
 
If you have been impressed by the Holy Spirit to assist Mary helping her to meet other administrative needs such as website, video teachings and podcast costs, or desire to bless her service with Spirit-led Love gifts or regular support:
Please JOYFULLY send your gift in the form of:
► Personal Checks ► Business Checks
► Money Orders  ► Cashiers Checks
 
To: His Beloved Ministries Inc. PO Box 1253Denver, Colorado 80614USA
 
Or feel free to use our send a tax-deductible gift with
Pay Pal   paypal.me/mlindow
Under the name of - His Beloved Ministries Inc.
ALL gifts are tax-deductible underHis Beloved Ministries 5013c non-profit status.
We are financially accountable and have been in full compliance
since 1985 with Clergy Financial Advantage.
THANK YOU!

"A Place At the Table"- A Promise For Those who Feel Displaced And Broken Hearted

 
By Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit

Preface:
The Lord was tremendously intense with me about the preparation and study that went along with the prophetic insights and words intermingled with this message. I would like to encourage you to read it all thoroughly and to not only skim through it quickly.
This is an hour when the Word and the Spirit are being brought together to demonstrate the ultimate power of Christ!
In His Shadow, Mary 
 
 "A PLACE AT THE TABLE"
A PROMISE FOR THE DISPLACED AND BROKEN HEARTED"
A Prophetic Insight
By Mary Lindow
 
"Mephibosheth ate at David's table as one of the king's sons. 
Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate endlessly at the
King’s table, even though he was crippled in both feet."
- 2 Samuel 9 vs. 11b-13
 
Just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy and completed, to perfect her by the washing with water through the word, and to establish her to himself as an exultant church, without imperfection or wrinkle or any other defect, but holy and guiltless.
After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church for we are members of his body. This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5: 25b 32
MEPHIBOSHETH: MEANING "ONE WHO SUFFERS SHAME"
The name was a joining by two members of the family of Saul - his son and his grandson. Let's look at this man Mephibosheth.
His life is a picture of a life of disaster, disappointment, and anxiety.
You think you have troubles?
In reading the story we already know that Mephibosheth is motherless and fatherless, because he is under the care of a nurse.
2 Samuel 4:4 also says that at the age of five his father, Jonathan, David's best friend, was killed in battle along with Jonathan's father, King Saul. To add injury to insult, we are told that when Mephibosheth's nurse heard the news of the murder of Jonathan and Saul, she panicked as she ran from harm's way. And in her running, the nurse dropped the child - causing him to become crippled. So the baby prince who was in the line of succession to the throne became a crippled beggar living as an orphan in hiding.
What should have been a life of wealth became a life of misery, tragedy and heartbreak. While his family was being assassinated, murdered, and banished, his future, as a king would never be fulfilled.
AND MORE THAN THAT, MEPHIBOSHETH WAS PERMANENTLY SCARRED!
We can relate to Mephibosheth's being a victim of sad circumstance. Perhaps you can even testify to being victimized by other's mistakes for yourself. Like Mephibosheth who trusted his nurse, some of us can relate to being dropped by those in whom we've placed our trust.
We're living crippled lives because a person in whom we loved and gave our hearts to...has dropped us.
JUST LIKE MEPHIBOSHETH WE KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE DROPPED BY SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TRUSTED.
Our lives are still suffering from the crippling effects of those disappointments. Everyone has been "dropped" in some way. And if you haven't, you will be. Some are still so proud in heart that they never admit to any weakness and therefore shame those around them who stumble their way to the cross of redemption.
It's no wonder that we are afraid to trust againbecause we've been lied to or used as scapegoats for the escape of others who hide their sins and egos behind loud opinions about how others should behave or...might have done better in the way they have handled the things that have happened in their life's journey!
MANY ARE AFRAID TO TAKE CHANCES BECAUSE OF PAST FAILURES.
Many more are afraid to follow their heart because the plain idea of making one more mistake sends shivers through them. We can't handle another anguish. Sometimes it feels as though we are hanging on by a fine thread.
If God is a merciful God, we wonder when we're going to start seeing the mercy. Our words echo the psalmist as our soul cries out,
"Lord, have mercy on me!" "Have mercy on me, Lord"
BUT THE THING IS, THERE IS MERCY...  ...IF YOU WILL SEE IT.
If you will allow that mercy to saturate your soul. If you'll see that you have an important role to play in that mercy. In fact, "mercy" is really the only reason that you and I are existing today, whether you know that or not.
You are here today because at some level - consciously or subconsciously - you know that God has been and is merciful to you and you are expressing your appreciation for that mercy. You are here today because you know that despite the hurts that have been inflicted upon you, you want to trust, you want to go on, and you want to find hope.
THE TRUTH IS THAT THERE IS BOTH A BIT OF MEPHIBOSHETH AND 
A BIT OF KING DAVID IN ALL OF US.
And, perhaps a bit of King Saul's fear of the loss of power, position, and need for control and honor. That is, we have been hurt, but we have also been healed.
We have been helped, and we also have opportunity to help others. We really have received mercy, and we can offer mercy as well.
WHEN MEPHIBOSHETH WAS CALLED INTO DAVID'S PRESENCE, HE WAS TERRIFIED!
Why shouldn't he be? As the grandson of dead King Saul, Mephibosheth was an heir to the throne that David now possessed. So his first thought was that the king would kill him because he might see him as a threat.
Secondly, Mephibosheth has experienced little in his life that would make him believe that something good could happen to him, so he expected injury. His own words were, "What is your servant that you should look ona dead dog such as I?"
Then King David sent and brought him out of the house: Mephibosheth must have been terrified when messengers from David knocked at his door and demanded that he come with them to see the king. In the back of his mind he must have constantly anticipated the day when David would do as other kings did and murder every possible enemy to his throne.
UP TO THIS POINT MEPHIBOSHETH AND DAVID NEVER HAD A RELATIONSHIP AND IT WAS BECAUSE MEPHIBOSHETH WANTED IT THAT WAY.
HE AVOIDED DAVID OUT OF UNFOUNDED FEARS. BUT DAVID REMOVES THE FEARS OF MEPHIBOSHETH.
Verses (7-8) So David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually."
Then Mephibosheth bowed himself, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?
Mephibosheth didn't feel worthy of such generosity. He considered himself a dead dog, meaning a worthless and insignificant person.
All the years of hiding from the king and Living in fear and poverty made Mephibosheth thinks of himself as Worthless.
THE OFFER OF MERCY
David didn't want to add to Mephibosheth's Misery. David offered mercy.
Mephibosheth - in his amazement and skepticism - is restored.
No, he didn't retrieve the ability to walk. Mephibosheth's weakness did not vanish. The end of the scripture is clear about that. "He was crippled in both feet."
But he was given a place at the table of the king.
This goes far beyond giving Mephibosheth what was rightly his!
THE HONOR OF A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KING
David gave Mephibosheth the honor of a close relationship withthe king. The miserable, unfair, undeserved events of his past didn't change. But he was re-established within the kingdom and given an opportunity to live out the rest of his life with dignity.
Because David - the King - was merciful.
 
DAVID KNOWS THAT HE HAS BEEN AN OBJECT OF GOD'S MERCY IN HIS LIFE.
That he has already been delivered from extreme circumstances and from ...his own unpredictable behavior.
David is merciful, because he has received mercy - a melody that will continue throughout David's entire life, even when David didn't deserve mercy. And - on another level - David knows that, as he acts as the status of king - also by God's anointing, and not his own skill - that he must model the mercy of God within the kingdom.
BLEMISHES OF THE "CRIPPLED" BRIDE
Just like in Ephesians 5 are the blemishes of the "crippled" bride...she is much like Mephibosheth.
Hiding, fearful! And....the King of our souls, Jesus...restores and cleanses us...brings us to His table as His Bride, and covers our lameness, our disfigurement underneath the linens of the bridegroom's table where no one dare point out our imperfections.
We are perfected BY His Mercy! David knew that human beings and a society that exist without forgiveness and mercy are already doomed to self-destruction by their bitter doubt.
JESUS DIED FOR THIS VERY REASON. SO THAT WE MIGHT MODEL HIS KIND OF GUTSY FORGIVENESS AND MERCY.
AND SO THE STORY FALLS TO US AS EMERGING LEADERS IN THE KING'S KINGDOM!
We who are like Mephibosheth who have been injured by dreadful circumstances and by careless people; and we who are like David, have the opportunity to be instruments of mercy.
We who are like Mephibosheth and David who have received mercy; and we who must decide if we will live lives of resentment because of prejudiced facts or ...live lives of gratitude because of undeserved and unexpected mercy.   The story falls now to us.
BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE. 
AS WE HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED,
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN DELIVERED.
Remember, David - the King - had to decide if his kingdom would be one of dread or grace. David had to decide if his realm was going to be established on grounds of vengeance or the refinement of mercy. In being an instrument of grace, David is setting the stage for his great, great, great grandson Jesus, who will be the ultimate expression of mercy to all of us.
In the entire history of humanity no one was more misunderstood or viciously abused than David's ultimate successor, Jesus. Yet no person was ever more merciful.
AS HEIRS OF DAVID AND CHRIST IT IS NOW UP TO US TO PUT INTO PRACTICE THE VERY TREASURE THAT DAVID HONORED IN THIS STORY.
Loyalty, respect, unwavering love, and the well being of others.
Like David did for Mephibosheth, God has honored and blessedus with the promise of eternal life, inviting us to dine at His table, in His kingdom eternally. Also, God does this, not because of any goodness upon our part, but "because of Jesus."
THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY 
AND WHY WE ARE PART OF THE BRIDE OF JESUS CHRIST.
WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN BROKEN.
And because He has restored - and is restoring - US by His mercy, He invites us to His table, we MUST look around to see who else needs a place at the table, on His behalf! Not out of our great "earned reputations" or past accomplishments! No!
We as models of the Fatherly and Motherly compassion of a heavenly King invite others, to the table of "covering" and honor. We bring mercy, expressed with "tender hearts."
The best person to want to be like is not always the strongest or the best looking!! When we become like Mephibosheth, we can truly understand mercy and grace.
BEING LIKE MEPHIBOSHETH MEANS:
Realizing that the king sought me out.
Understanding what I deserved from the king.
Acknowledging the ones who brought me to the king.
Humbling myself in the sight of the king.
Rejoicing in the words of the king.
Accepting the provision of the king.
Adjusting my life to the requests of the king.
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,
And make me willing to obey you.
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SOWING SEEDS AND DEEDS OF GREATNESS - MERCY

 
Then he  (Jesus) added,
"Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture:
'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.'
For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous,
But those who know they are sinners."
Matthew 9:13
 
It has been said that after the French Revolution, a certain convict that was released on parole traveled the countryside in search of a new beginning. Being an ex-con, as you would expect, led to complications in this search, and he wound up at the gates of a clergyman who agreed to host him for the night.
The convict, as is well known, takes advantage of the bishop’s generosity: getting up early before dawn, he takes off with the bishop’s silver; his escape however is hindered by the local Police Inspector, who after seemingly catching him presents the presumed thief to the bishop for identification. The bishop, without missing a beat, covers for his sneaky guest and speaks such words of kindness over the convict’s past present and future, through releasing him even though caught red handed and deserving of further punishment.
His words? They were profound and dripped of Mercy.
 
"My friend, you forgot to take the candlesticks as well."
 
For those of you who are perhaps not familiar with the story about the convict/man and the priest I just spoke of, I am referring to Victor Hugo’s book “ Les Miserables.”
I think Victor Hugo shows something of the challenge of today’s Message of the Gospel that Jesus would want us each to hear and to act upon.
"Be merciful, as your Father is merciful." -Luke 6:36
 
NOBODY LIKES A BULLY OR TO BE TALKED DOWN TO.
Maybe it is easy for us to be merciful when we have the upper hand.  If someone comes begging for forgiveness, it becomes a show–of generosity of spirit, but a show nonetheless–that we are in some way better than that person. Picture elegant royals, who, moments before the execution of a criminal would decree their royal pardon, leaving a lasting impression of compassion upon those pleading for another chance.
 
THIS IS NOT THE WAY GODLY MERCY WORKS.
Oh how merciful is our Father! It’s not that our faults are not important to an immeasurable God. We have without a doubt deeply wounded the ties that bind us to him.
Yet he still holds out his hand, bloodied and deformed holes in them, created by the nails put in, even to his enemies.
 
TODAY JESUS INVITES US TO RE-EVALUATE OUR MERCY:
How deeply do I forgive those who offend me?
Do I pray for them, or allow my forgiveness to become a show of winning the upper hand?  (Another way of showing false humility.)
The forgiving priest not only forgave Jean Valjean’s theft, he created an excuse for him, and even gave away the last of his own treasure, in the hopes that Valjean would be able to start a new life, knowing that he was shown the purest of love and authentic mercy.
 
MERCY MEANS…
Empathy, pity, sympathy, understanding; favor, grace; benevolence, care, compassion, gentleness, goodness, goodwill, humaneness, kindliness, meekness, mildness, niceness, softness, tenderness; generosity, affection, devotion, love, worship
 
IT ALSO MEANS…
…Letting go of harshness, accusation, presuming you know better what others need in order for them to better serve God. When we act out like this, we become much like Javert the Police Inspector hounding and lording it over Jean Valjean, bent on making sure all deeds that do not measure up to our way of justice are fully dealt with.
He felt sure that God wanted him to be the individual who would measure out justice and harsh terms of punishment in order to break John Valejan, thus having him pay the price of his wickedness and perchance if once finally shattered and broken, he may perhaps have God look his way .
 
"DON'T GET MAD -- GET EVEN?”
This seems to be the usual way people view the world nowadays. We should be thankful that God takes a different view of things. Although the Bible makes it clear that God is the Great Judge who hates all evil doing, he is also the Merciful One, who forgives and accepts people who turn to him.
Occasionally God chooses not to grant us mercy; for the purpose of judgment, rebuke, discipline, or testing. Fortunately, for most of us, this is the exception, not the rule.  For the time being, God has shown incredible patience and mercy by withholding most of the effects of our sins.
I will have mercy, on whom I will have mercy,
And I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
Rom 9:15
 
 
GOD IS NOT ALWAYS SCOLDING US!
"He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever."
Psalm 103:9
Could God find reasons to scold His children all the time? Indeed, He could! None of us are perfect. We could all do better.
However, as justified as scolding us would be, God realizes that we would easily be discouraged if all we ever heard was scolding.
When He scolds us He is correcting us so that we confess our sins and do better.
"The Lord All-Powerful says, “They belong to me; on that day they will be my very own.
As a parent shows mercy to his child who serves him, I will show mercy to my people."
Malachi 3:17
 
ASK GOD FOR THE HELP YOU NEED TO OVERCOME SIN.
Face the reality that much of the suffering in our fallen world is caused by human sin.   But count on the fact that God is merciful toward all sinners. Whenever you recognize a situation in which some of your own sin has contributed to your suffering, pray for help, and God will give you the strength you need to overcome sin. Stop holding onto any sinful secrets that have been causing guilt, shame and bitterness in your soul. Confess your sins specifically, repent of them, accept the forgiveness that God offers you, and embrace the power that God gives you to move forward into a better life.
 
LISTEN FOR GOD SPEAKING IN THE SILENCE.
When your suffering becomes so painful that you can’t make any sense of it or figure out how to endure it, you may feel as if you’re trapped in silence, since nothing that other people say or do to try to help actually breaks through to you. But when you’re at the point where you don’t hear anything else, you can actually hear God best, since you’re less likely to get distracted by the world’s noise around you. In the silence, pour out your thoughts and feelings to God in prayer, and then listen to what He has to say to you. God won’t shout, but He will whisper, to encourage you to keep drawing closer to Him.
 
SUFFERING IS ALL AROUND YOU IN THIS FALLEN WORLD.
Sometimes it’s so tragic that it’s heartbreaking. Yet, God promises that He is loving and merciful. How can you reconcile these two realities that seem like they compete against each other?
The key is to look for God’s mercy, even when it seems like it can’t exist with the suffering you encounter. God’s mercy is a stronger force than even the worst suffering, and when you look for it, you’ll find it.
The spirit, which he sent to live in us, wants us for him alone.
James 4:5
 
WE ARE GOD’S OWN.
LET US NOT BE AFRAID TO BE LIKE OUR FATHER.
 
Let our hearts be conduits of God’s mercy, knowing that we ourselves have been forgiven so very much.
Let us communicate our thanks to Him by being overflowing vessels of kind and tender expression, showing God’s mercy to all.
 
The Lord is kind and shows mercy.
He does not become angry quickly
But is full of love.
Psalm 145:8
 
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Copyright © 2017 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
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