Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Made Fresh Every Morning

Every morning I like to begin the day with a pot of freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. We buy the whole beans by the bag at Sams Club and grind them ourselves - a habit taught me by a special someone 16 years ago when we first wed. Call me a coffee snob, but nothing compares to the freshly ground smell and taste of grinding your own Starbucks! That steaming, caffeinated, tasty beverage is just what I need to clear the dirty cobwebs of the night's slumber from my mind.

Now is the time of year for fresh starts and new beginnings. And while the world celebrates a new beginning every 365 days, I'm reminded of a passage from Lamentations that is more relevant to my need for restarts:
"The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning." 
Lamentations 3:22,23

Let's take a closer look at that last phase, "his mercies begin afresh each morning." First of all, who are we talking about? God, right? The creator, sustainer, and our all-powerful Father. He is the one who holds life and death in the palm of His hands. His "mercies" are available to each one of us. Mercy means compassion or forgiveness and I know I need it. Regardless of how hard I try to live within God's will, I know I still fail. I need his mercy! Without it, I would feel lost. I would be hopeless. When do God's mercies begin? "Each morning!" Every day you can start with a fresh beginning. Erase your past. It's a new day! You've made mistakes. You've messed up. You've failed your closest friend. But God is making it alright...every day! Every morning! Here's what you can know:

Because "his mercies begin afresh each morning" you can reject any thoughts of failure, depression, and inadequacy.

Because "his mercies begin afresh each morning" you can begin each day with a new, positive attitude. Your past is behind you. It's a new day!

Because "his mercies begin afresh each morning" you can know that the night thoughts in your head are not based on truth nor God's plan for your life. You can start your day knowing you are a child of God.

Because "his mercies begin afresh each morning" you can begin your day with renewed strength and energy provided by God's love and grace.

So while I desire that fresh cup of Starbucks coffee every day, even more so God's mercies are needed by me each morning. I am comforted in knowing God accepts me. His compassion is renewed daily. And His love never ends!

It may be Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Easter Sunday will be here in a few short days. Christians all over the world will celebrate our Savior's victory over sin and death. Th...