My God's Mercy, Now That I Think About It!

Introduction

How often has the Lord extended mercy unto us and we simply overlooked it? Perhaps you can relate to instances when you did not comprehend just what was going on in the spiritual realm. Why did things develop as they did? This was not the scenario you imagined in your mind. The odds were against you and even the outcome was surprising! God was surrounding you with His mercy (compassion), even when you were not aware of His presence in the midst of that situation. Angels were on assignment from the Lord and things worked out in your favor.

 That is what My God’s Mercy (Now That I Think About It!) endeavors to portray. It is a brief reflection of how God’s compassion was revealed to me. The book contains true stories that begin with family, and people strategically placed in my life by God, to bring change, naturally and spiritually. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of events or dates given. The late Pastor Lillie B. Sanlin is interwoven throughout the book, as she is one of the “vessels of honor” God used to introduce me to new life in Jesus.

 As I reflect on the past, embrace the present-day, and get excited about future possibilities, I know assuredly that God has shown Himself mighty on my behalf. Trace my journey carefully and see the Hand of God at work so that He gets my attention and the glory.

 This writing project began in 1973. I was led of the Spirit to write a book regarding the ministry of the late Evangelist Lillie B. Sanlin, founder and pastor of the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church Mission, Incorporated, Kosciusko, Mississippi. I had no idea that twenty years later I would serve as pastor of that same ministry!

 I had only written about five pages of the manuscript when I showed Pastor Sanlin my small beginnings. She was pleased that I wanted to honor her by writing a book about her life and ministry. However, procrastination and the cares of this life including marriage, children, and full time employment, crept in. The project ceased and lay dormant inside a folder in the bedroom closet. The flame I once had for writing a book began dwindling, and was eventually reduced to only a spark. Periodically, the Lord would remind me of the incomplete project, and I would write a few more pages and add them to the folder.

 In 1976 our family relocated to Harvey, Louisiana. On February 16, 1983, the Lord called Pastor Sanlin to rest from her labors. I was contacted by the program committee regarding my writing project. The committee wanted to review my information for possible inclusion in the obituary. I submitted it and some was actually used.

 After Pastor Sanlin’s home going celebration I felt as though I had failed, because I had purposed to write my book during her lifetime. Nevertheless, God was still merciful, and a few years later he began to renew my desire for writing. So I wrote a few more pages and added them to that special folder.

 Many years have passed and I have no more excuses to give myself, people, or the Lord (in reference to completing the writing project). So here I go, writing once more. Only this time I am removing pages from that folder, fine tuning them and placing them in alignment for the manuscript. This latest nudge from the Holy Ghost caused me to make a commitment to complete the project. Yes, “I can do all things through Christ that strengtheth me.” (Phillipians 4:13) The name of the Lord is exalted as God’s mercy comes into fruition bringing testimonies of salvation, divine healing, and deliverance from demonic oppression.

 Luke, the beloved physician, informs us of the following scenario involving Jesus, “And as He entered into a certain village there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (Luke 17:12-13)

 The lepers, persons suffering from leprosy, cried out to Jesus, desiring mercy in the form of cleansing, deliverance from their leprous condition. Leprosy is a contagious disease that affects the skin, mucous membrane, and nerves, causing discoloration, and lumps on the skin, and in severe cases, disfigurement, and deformities. Hansen’s disease. (Kindle-New Oxford American Dictionary, second edition)

 Jesus did not even pray for the lepers. Instead, He instructed them to go show themselves to the priest. The scripture states that as they went (traveled), they (the lepers) were cleansed. One leper took note of his healing. Rather than continue his trip, and be pronounced cleansed of the leprosy by the priests, he turned around. The former leper found Jesus, and said, (paraphrased) “Thank you Lord! Thank you Lord!” Now all ten men had been healed, but only one returned to express gratitude for the compassion Jesus had shown. (Luke 17:14-18)

Take a few minutes and think about how God’s mercy has prevailed in your life.

 Now, tell the Lord “Thank you Jesus!” for He has been, and still is good to you.

Like King David, we too can say, “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: and His mercy endureth forever.” (Psalms 136:1)