No Stones Today
Hello there, friend, come on in and ease yourself down like you’re plum sittin’ into an ol’ rockin’ chair that’s been waitin’ all day long for some real good company. This here place has seen its share of excitement from a lil’ ol’ rooster that tried to chase its own reflection in the window to a silly lil’ squirrel that attempted to stash acorns in my hymnbook when I forgot and left it out on this ol’ front porch overnight. So, you’re sho’-nuff’ in mighty good company out here. Let’s take a long, deep breath, shake off the dust of the day, and let God’s Word drift into our hearts like the smell of them biscuits bakin’ in the kitchen right now.
Psalm 130:7 says, “Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.” In John 8:9-11, Jesus stood face to face with a woman who’d been downright dragged into public shame. Her accusers slipped away one by one, convicted by their own conscience, until only Jesus remained there with her. He asked her where she thought her accusers had gone. When she answered that none remained, He spoke the words in John 8:11 that still echo through every guilty heart, “Neither do I condemn thee. Go, and sin no more.” That there ain’t the voice of punishment. That’s sho’-nuff’ the voice of redemption.
Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 saying, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them.” That’s a truth that oughta settle into our spirits like real warm syrup on a big stack of pancakes. God ain’t ever waitin’ to pounce on our mistakes. He’s reachin’ out with reconciliation, restoration, and mercy. And Hebrews 8:12 adds another layer as it says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” That verse tells us that God’s forgiveness ain’t partial. It’s downright complete.
If you feel condemned, friend, that’s not God. That’s plum your own heart fussin’ like a nervous lil’ ol’ squirrel that can’t decide which tree to climb. 1 John 3:20 reminds us, “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart. He knows all things. He sees beyond our failures and calls us into His grace.” And He invites us to be carryin’ that same message to others. We’re livin’ in a time when God is gatherin’ people to Himself, and He has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation. You’ve gotta be tellin’ the world that God aint’ against ‘em. He’s plum ready to receive ‘em.
Father, thank You for Your mercy that never condemns but restores. Thank You for trusting me with the ministry of reconciliation. Help me carry Your message with clarity, compassion, and courage. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Well, bless my boots and butter my biscuit one more time, friend, as you move forward from this moment, picture God’s mercy walkin’ right beside you the way a loyal ol’ farm dog trots along a country path, steady and sure. God’s grace is already workin’ ahead of you, clearin’ the way like a gentle wind that nudges fallen leaves aside. His compassion is always plum ready to meet you in every conversation, risin’ up like a bright songbird that appears just when the woods seem too quiet. And His purpose is waitin’ to unfold right in your hands, steady as a plow that knows exactly how to cut a straight line through fresh soil. You’ve gotta be walkin’ on with confidence. The Lord has already prepared goodness right in the next step that you take.
With joy,
Gwen
