Tag Archives: encouragement

Selflessness vs. Pride: The Greek Frame of Mind

Posted on September 24, 2026 by Don Merritt

Part 3 Why is forgiveness so excruciatingly difficult? If we are honest, the main barrier isn’t usually a lack of biblical knowledge. The primary obstacle is pride. When someone harms us, our ego demands vindication or payback. We nurse grievances … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Tagged Christian, encouragement, forgiveness, God's Creation, God's grace, hope, inspiration, Jesus | Leave a comment

An Empowering Walk

Posted on September 23, 2026 by Don Merritt

Some people have the mistaken impression that walking with Jesus is a passive, restrictive kind of life—like sitting quietly on a shelf trying not to touch anything. They think of faith as a long list of things you aren’t allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian living | Tagged Christian, Devotional, encouragement, God is Love, God's grace, hope, inspiration, Jesus | 3 Comments

The Gospel Cycle & The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Don Merritt

Part 2 Have you ever calculated how much someone “owes” you emotionally? We keep running tallies of offenses: three strikes, seven chances, or “I’ve reached my limit”. In Matthew 18:21, Peter thought he was being extraordinarily generous when he asked … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Tagged Christian, encouragement, forgiveness, God is Love, God's grace, hope, inspiration, Jesus | Leave a comment

Making Time for What Matters

Posted on September 21, 2026 by Don Merritt

We live in a world that is practically addicted to rushing. “Hurry up! Time is running out! Move it! Rush, rush, rush!” Between chime notifications, full email inboxes, appointments, and endless chores, modern life has a way of turning into … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian living | Tagged Christian, Devotional, encouragement, God is Love, God's grace, inspiration, Jesus, relationship | 5 Comments

Known and Loved Anyway

Posted on September 20, 2026 by Don Merritt

Remember back in school when you had a crush on someone, and you’d have a friend secretly ask around to see if they liked you back? You’d wait anxiously in the hallway, fingers crossed, hoping for good news. That desire … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian living | Tagged Christian, Devotional, encouragement, God is Love, God's grace, inspiration, Jesus, relationship | 1 Comment

Beyond Checklists and Transactions

Posted on September 19, 2026 by Don Merritt

Have you ever had to deal with an organization or an office where everything was strictly transactional? You take a number, stand in a cold line, hand over a required form, get your stamp, and move along. Nobody knows your … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian living | Tagged Christian, Devotional, encouragement, God is Love, God's grace, inspiration, Jesus, relationship | 2 Comments

Passing the Cup

Posted on September 18, 2026 by Don Merritt

Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to ask for mercy than it is to give it? When we make a mistake—maybe we cut someone off in traffic, speak a little too sharply to a family member, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian living | Tagged Christian, hope, inspiration, encouragement, Jesus, forgiveness, mercy, God's grace | Leave a comment

Part 1: The Anatomy of Forgiveness & Love

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Don Merritt

When we talk about forgiveness, where do our minds go first? Usually, we think of the hurt. We think of the offense, the offense-giver, and the emotional knot sitting in the pit of our stomach. Yet if we start our … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Studies | Tagged Christian, encouragement, forgiveness, God is Love, God's grace, hope, inspiration, Jesus | 1 Comment

The Welcome Home

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Don Merritt

Back when I was a kid in the second grade, an unforgettable scene played out at our house. There was a sudden knock at the front door during dinner, and my dad stepped outside, closing the door behind him. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged Christian, Devotional, encouragement, forgiveness, hope, inspiration, Jesus, life | 1 Comment

What the Bible Says About Forgiveness: Introduction

Posted on September 15, 2026 by Don Merritt

Recently I was involved in a conversation with a friend who was asking me several questions on Bible topics, almost as though he had a list prepared ahead of time. It was a fun conversation in many ways since the … Continue reading →