Crossway Church

If the Lord is the shepherd who leads the flock, goodness and mercy are the two sheepdogs that guard the rear of the flock. Psalm 23:6 says, Surely goodness an...d mercy shall follow me all the days of my life Goodness and mercy. Not goodness alone, for we are sinners in need of mercy. Not mercy alone, for we are fragile, in need of goodness. We need them both. Goodness and mercy. If that duo doesn’t reinforce your faith, try this phrase: all the days of my life. What a huge statement. Goodness and mercy follow the child of God each and every day. Think of the days that lie ahead. What do you see? God will be at your side. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow menot some, not most, not nearly allbut all the days of my life. Max Lucado

Your Father has no intention of letting you fall. You can’t see him, but he is present. He is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glory... without fault and with unspeakable joy (Jude 24). Drink deeply from this truth. Does God want you living in fear? No! Just the opposite. The Spirit we received, according to Romans 8:15-16 does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, ‘Father.’ And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God’s children. What an intriguing statement. Deep within you God’s Spirit confirms with your spirit that you belong to him. Beneath the vitals of the heart, God’s Spirit whispers, You’re mine. I bought you, and I sealed you, and no one can take you. Isn’t that great news! Max Lucado

We are quick to think of Jesus’ power, his passion, and his devotion. But those near him knew and know God comes cloaked in kindness. Love is kind writes Paul.... David agrees, Your lovingkindness is better than life (Psalm 63:3). But Jesus’ invitation offers the sweetest proof of the kindness of heaven: Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). I wonder, how many burdens is Jesus carrying for us that we know nothing about? He carries our sin. He carries our shame. But how often do we thank him for his kindness? Hasn’t he helped you out of a few jams? And has there ever been a time when he was too busy to listen to your story? And since God has been so kind to you, can’t you be kind to others? Max Lucado

I’m just checking in to make sure that you are feeding your faith more than you are feeding your fears. You know if you feed your faith, your fears will starve.... But if you feed your fears, your faith will. So we have to make an intentional decision during this season of high anxiety and turbulence to encourage one another and to feed one another’s faith. And also we need to take the initiative to feed our own faith. So I encourage you my friend, I encourage you. Don’t give into despair. Don’t give into anxiety. We’re gonna get through this. We really are. I know that we’re getting new news day by day. I know that developments are changing it seems by the hour. But let me tell you the thing that has not changed. Our heavenly father is still on the throne. Max Lucado