Though God's rich mercies are available, bountiful, undeserved and impossible to earn, they operate on a kingdom principle that challenges our ability to love with Christ's love. As mercy recipients, we are called to walk continually in the light of divine love as mercy-extenders. While being stoned, Stephen's countenance shone radiantly as he cried out for God's mercy and forgiveness to be extended to those participating in his death. Moses and Stephen were mercy-extenders by intercession and witness. If we are to celebrate mercy, we must be able to extend mercy to one another before we can extend it to the world.
Love is the foundation of our mission.
This is not a day to boast of accomplishments. It's a day to extol Jesus, the eternal mercy gift. Think of specific ways to extend God's love in 2001. In a spirit of repentance, petition God's help in discerning the enemy's access points and closing the door to his advance through places of imperfect love. Give us, O God, the heart of true mercy-extenders.