Reminder - No Random Acts

 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:18-19 NIV

Probably the most well-known phrase for 'random' is "Random Act of Kindness". According to the Internet, there are some conflicts as to how it exactly started, but generally, it began as a way to encourage those in the world to be kind who normally wouldn't think to do something kind for someone else unless there was some kind of return or hope for return. As Christians, a Random Act of Kindness is oxymoronic, both by definition and by how we are called to live our lives.

As Christians, we are in this world, not of it (John 17). As Christians, we are residents in a city whose Builder and Maker is God (Hebrews 11). We are sojourners - in a place that is not home, defined as staying for a time that is longer than a vacation, but not permanent... As such, we are to be like Christ - who did what His Father did and who said what His Father said.  

There is nothing random about God. His way is the master plan, with built-in contingencies of forgiveness and mercy. His mercies are new every morning. Our text for today in The Message reads, ...mercy is your specialty. That's what you love most. The Amplified reads, He delights in mercy and loving-kindness.

"Delights" in them. If He does, shouldn't we?

We may not want to do acts of kindness for some people, but if we have a so-called reason for not doing an act of kindness, then obviously, we're judging... (and we all know what the Word says about judging others - Judge not, lest ye be judged, right?) If we require further inspiration, let's go to James 2:13 NLT,  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. There is nothing random about God.

Mercy triumphs over judgment. There is an identifiable pattern, a definite plan, system, and a Cross connection. Our lives as followers of Christ should not be a random act. 

Prayer:

Father,

         We pray according to Your Word, Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of You Lord. Joyful are those who obey Your laws and search for You with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in Your paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Not Random

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1st Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

Do we trust God in all things or only the good things? Do we pay Him lip service or do we praise Him with grateful hearts that are spilling over with His goodness toward us no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in? Do we believe the Word of God to be our absolute Truth? Do we hasten to do His bidding? Are we truly trusting Him Who sees the end from the beginning?

God doesn't do anything randomly. He always has a plan. It may not seem like it sometimes, but that's because His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours. And it is because of these truths that we CAN be thankful in all circumstances. Like they say, "If God brings us to it, He will get us through it" and in the course of getting us through, He will work some Christ-like character deep into our hearts or cross our paths with someone who needs to hear our story or we need to hear theirs. Remember, God works ALL things for our good and we should be grateful.

Prayer:

Father,
             Thank You for Your goodness and grace, Your faithfulness and favor, for loving us enough to trust us to walk with You through the valleys, however dark they may seem. We offer our thanks, our love and our trust in You knowing it is Your Will for us. Help us to remain focused. Gvie us clean hands and purify our hearts, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Not a Random Act

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:18-19 NIV

Part of my day job is to make sure all of my people are compliant with the appropriate drug consortium. To ensure continued compliance, there are random drug and alcohol screenings demanded by the consortium at their discretion. Once notified, the candidate has 30 minutes to get to the collection site. There isn't any rhyme or reason regarding who is chosen for them - which is why they're called random. Random is defined as without an identifiable pattern, plan, system, or connection.  

Probably the most well-known use of 'random' is "Random Act of Kindness". According to the Internet, there are some conflicts as to how it exactly started, but generally, it began as a way to encourage those in the world who normally wouldn't think to do something kind for someone else unless there was some kind of return or hope for return. As Christians, a Random Act of Kindness is oxymoronic, both by definition and by how we are called to live our lives.

As Christians, we are in this world, not of it (John 17). As Christians, we are residents in a city whose Builder and Maker is God (Hebrews 11). We are sojourners - in a place that is not home, defined as staying for a time that is longer than a vacation, but not permanent... As such, we are to be like Christ - who did what His Father did and who said what His Father said.  

There is nothing random about God. His way is the master plan, with built-in contingencies of forgiveness and mercy. His mercies are new every morning. Our text for today in The Message reads, ...mercy is your specialty. That's what you love most. The Amplified reads, He delights in mercy and loving-kindness.

Delights in them.

If He does, shouldn't we?

We may not want to do acts of kindnesses for some people, but if we have a so-called reason for not doing an act of kindness, then obviously, we're judging... (and we all know what the Word says about judging others - Judge not, lest ye be judged, right?) If we require further inspiration, let's go to James 2:13 NLT,  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. There is nothing random about God.

Mercy triumphs over judgment. There is an identifiable pattern, a definite plan, system, and a Cross connection. Our lives as followers of Christ should not be a random act. 

Prayer:

Father,

         We pray according to Your Word, Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen