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JFH Devotionals by J.M. Farro


Be Merciful and Blessed


"How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, 'It's his own fault'? You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment." - Job 19:28-29 NLT




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When my husband, Joe, and I moved to our current home with our two young sons many years ago, we realized pretty quickly that the children in our neighborhood were, for the most part, troublemakers. So we made the difficult decision of forbidding our sons to play with them. As a result, we began experiencing a barrage of attacks on our home and property. The destruction to our house was so severe that our insurance company eventually paid to have all of our aluminum siding replaced. When the attacks were especially serious, we would call the police, and even get the courts involved, which, unfortunately, did us very little good. Once, when the police did come to our aid, Joe overheard one of our neighbors telling them, "They deserve it! They've brought all this on themselves!" We were shocked, and could hardly comprehend that this lady would think that we deserved such mistreatment because we set boundaries for our children which we knew were in their best interests. Not long after that, this lady's husband left her for another woman, and her life and family have never been the same since.

When I think about this woman, I can't help thinking about some verses in the book of Job which say - "How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, 'It's his own fault'? You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment." (Job 19:28-29 NLT) Our hostile neighbor never realized that her spitefulness was going to cause her to reap a bitter harvest that would tear apart her own family. I have learned over the years how wishing harm to come to someone can have a boomerang effect, and can come back to haunt us in the future. Jesus said as much when He told us - "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier." (Luke 6:37 MSG)

Joe and I forgave our neighbor long ago, and we have been on good terms with her for many years now. We never bring up the past, or accuse her for her hurtful words or attitude. And God has blessed us greatly in this neighborhood by causing us to live in peace here, and to find favor with all of our neighbors.

Jesus said, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36 NIV) Who is it that you need to show mercy toward today?

Prayer: Lord, I long to be merciful, just as You are merciful. Please work in my heart, so that I can show everyone the kind of love and respect that You do. Guard me from a bitter, spiteful, and critical spirit. Remind me that You have forgiven me for a lot, and I need to forgive others. (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32) Thank You for the rewards and blessings that I will reap as I love and live Your way! - J. M. Farro

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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