The mercies of the Lord are here for us again this morning. It’s a brand new day, a chance to remain quiet and circumspect and, if not wise, at least potentially less foolish.
This morning, not only is it our moment to receive mercy but it’s also our moment to give it.
Look around you.
Open your phone and journey through your social media apps and behold all those to whom you would rather set straight than give mercy.
This is your narrow way. This is the wilderness in which the Spirit has led you to be tempted by Satan.
This is your moment to resist using the means of the world to gain power. Today is the day to withhold prognostications of doom and instead give gracious affection.
Be a destroyer of alienation and disconnection.
Most of us do not host our online adversaries in our homes for meals, but we can at least feed our online friends and enemies the Bread of Life. The flesh of Christ travels easily over the internet. Praise God.
Where mercy can happen
Social media is a place where the giving and receiving of mercy can happen.
It is our brilliant moment to shine, our occasion to resist the temptation to drop any mics or hot takes, to resist the seduction of feeling like it’s our duty to set people straight with our enlightened opinions, political or otherwise.
It’s quite possible that “those idiots” over there are deeply misinformed and plain wrong. That’s OK. You can trust them to God.
You don’t need to broadcast your disdain. Christ relieves us from the compulsion to scorn our enemies.
In fact, He invites us to go the opposite way, to bless those who do not share our perspective.
Imagine the most odious person you can think of, the one with whom you have nothing in common.
That person is the one Jesus really likes and welcomes to His table.
I do not appreciate the words “obey” or “obedience” but I may yet learn to do what Christ has required of me.
Can I withhold my “Raca” and douse the flames of hellfire?
Philippians 2:1–4 reads:
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit?
“Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another and working together with one mind and purpose. …
“Don’t look out only for your own interest, but take an interest in others too.”
Andy Squyres
andysquyres via Instagram
Letters to the Editor
As I read the March 6 edition of The Alabama Baptist, two items popped out at me.
First, I have come to really look forward to reading which Hero of the Faith feature Joanne Sloan is highlighting this time.
Once in a while, I’m familiar with her subject and enjoy being reminded of his or her story.
But by far it’s an unknown hero with an amazing new story of God working His wonders and miracles.
I’m going to miss Joanne’s keen insights and great stories.
Second, as I read your Rashional Thoughts opinion piece in the same issue, I was disheartened over the lack of response to your excellent, though short-lived, column, “I See Jesus.”
Every morning in my quiet time, and throughout the day, I’m seeking His face and relishing His presence. And I can’t wait to tell someone, anyone who will listen, His story.
I encourage every TAB reader to take a look themselves and shout from the house tops what they see Jesus is doing.
Bruce Barbour
Ohio
Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able. I don’t know what you are facing, but God is able. We need to touch this nation with the gospel. We can do it if we ever learn to love with grace and truth. Wed them together, and you’ll find the power of almighty God working in you.
Ted Traylor to UM students
Maybe the struggle isn’t just a challenge — maybe it’s your greatest teacher. Maybe something deeper is happening through your struggle. Perhaps you’re learning a lesson that is preparing, developing and equipping you for something else down the road.
Comedian Michael Jr.
Father, thank you for reminding us that sometimes all we must do is move forward. (John 5:7–9)
Vernet C. Nettles
Another Day’s Journey
Morning Prayer
March 19, 2025
Pastor: Stop killing yourself trying to attract giant crowds. Instead, invest every ounce of your ministry to grow spiritual giants.
Kevin Blackwell
via Facebook
Blessed are you,
Who trust that when your emotions waver,
There is a love that doesn’t.
A hope that stays.
A peace that rests in your hands.
May you find calm in your unsteadiness.
May you be reminded that this ache will pass.
And that in the meantime you are not alone.
—Kate Bowler
“Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day”
Shared by @sissygoff via Instagram
“Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.” —C.S. Lewis
What we do each and every day matters. Each of us. Not some of us. If we want a better country, we must be better people.
@sharonsaysso via Instagram
“God feeds the birds, but He doesn’t throw the worms into the nest.”
@DaveRamsey on X
“The demons recognized Jesus as the Messiah before the disciples. But recognition is not trust. Belief is not surrender …”
@iansimkins on X
“How many million more souls are to pass into eternity without having heard the name of Jesus.”
—Lottie Moon
@wmufoundation on X
Where does Jesus’ authority fit into your life? His main audiences were Jewish people. Some recognized the authoritative nature of His lessons. “For he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matt. 7:29).
Jewish scribes quoted as their authority the writings of former rabbis. Jesus, however, said, “I say to you.” As God in human form, He consulted no other authorities. He is THE authority.
You won’t find a shortage of people who seek to impose their authority on you. But related to spiritual things, believers can depend on what Jesus said. No other expert needed.
Take His Word for it!
Darryl Wood
“Retread” pastor
When a leader adopts an ownership mentality rather than a stewardship approach, the organization or ministry typically dies with him. I have seen it many times!
Chris Crain via Facebook
So many Christians are looking for the secret to a deeper spiritual life. So many don’t find it.
More books. More vibes. More emotion. More stories. More “aha” moments. More breakthrough.
But here’s the truth — if you’d just do what God has already revealed in His Word, you wouldn’t have time to worry about more.
We don’t need a new revelation. We need to obey the one we’ve already got.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” —God (several times)
Read your Bible.
Go to church.
Pray.
Don’t complain.
Give.
Serve.
Love.
Kill sin.
Forgive.
Make disciples.
You’d be surprised at the freedom and glory that comes with simple obedience.
Will Standridge via Facebook
Sanctification does not mean that a purity like Jesus Christ’s is gifted to us but that His purity is gifted to us. —Oswald Chambers
My purpose is being who God called me to be. Jalen Hurts, NFL quarterback
Three words summarize our message
By Michael J. Brooks
Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster
Social researcher Frank Luntz published “Words That Work” in 2007. He explained words have a denotative meaning, a concrete and “dictionary” definition, but also a connotative meaning since words can transport images to our minds.
Luntz used three prime advertising examples.
The alcohol industry changed its name to spirits. The term alcohol can bring images of darkness, drunkenness and despair. Spirits is a happy word that speaks of toasts and laughter.
In the same way, “gambling” is now “gaming.” Gambling connotes dark rooms, addictions and lost wagers, whereas gaming implies something families do for fun.
And his third example is when banks morph into credit unions, which implies a family who help one another.
To share the message of Christ, we believers also can focus on positive words that are transforming.
- Redemption
Scripture teaches that every person is worthy in the eyes of God.
- Faith
Faith is more than believing. It is committing ourselves to the pathway of God even though our ultimate destination is unclear. Faith means trusting that God is good and will lead us in the path of right living for our ultimate benefit.
- Love
The original word Paul used is “agape.” Agape is God’s kind of love — a love that is sacrificial without taint of self-seeking. The Christian life is focused on serving others.
The message we share as the church of God is summarized in these three great words.
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