I recently read the following Psalm, and was struck by "His mercy endures forever" refrain over and over. I thought,what is God's mercy? The traditional sense is the mercy God showed by sending Jesus to earth to save us from sin. OK that's great, but from reading this Psalm I thought to myself there is more than just that theological line! So read the Psalm below and I'll tell you what I learned this week!
Psalm 118:2-4 "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say, His mercy endures forever.Let the house of Aaron now say, His mercy endures forever. Let those who fear the Lord now say His mercy endures forever." Psalm 136 has this same refrain after each sentence in many of the verses as it tells all God has done for the world basically!
Again my interest was piqued in what is mercy, what really does it mean. God said, get out the dictionary and read and I will show you. So I did that on Sunday morning while the house was quiet and what an amazing series of words came to light to explain mercy.
Webster's dictionary explains mercy like this " 1)compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy or other person in one's power;compassion, pity or benevolence. 4) An act of kindness, compassion or favor. 6) 'at the mercy of'= subject to ;entirely in the power of.
opposite-cruelty
Synonym-forgiveness,indulgence,clemency,leniency,lenity,consideration,tenderness,mildness."
WOW! I love number 6, its how we are to be with God!We are to be entirely in the power of God, its how the Holy Spirit works best with us, when He is in control!
Next I looked up compassionate,forbearance and benevolence for further evaluation.
Compassion from (Webster's)-"1) A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by suffering or misfortune accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the pain or remove its cause."
WOW,again! God sees us in our sinful state and had compassion on us! He desires always to alleviate our pain! Our pain is caused by Satan and one day he will be removed FOREVER! That day God will show us ultimate mercy!Meantime, God's daily mercies are abundant just so we can get thru our days. He gives me little mercies every day, little or big places to help me. We need to focus on these and find them, dwell in their awesomeness because it shows how much God loves me and you!
Next I looked up forbearance and forbear in Webster's dictionary.
Forbear -"1)to refrain or abstain from;desist from. 2) to keep back;withhold.3) 'archaic' to endure 4)to refrain;hold back;5)to be patient or self-controlled when subject to annoyance or provocation."
Forbearance- "1)an act of forbearing;a refraining from something. 2)forbearing conduct or quality;3)an abstaining from the enforcement of a right."
God has had patience and endurance for mankind! God abstains from enforcing His right to punish and banish us all to Hell because He sent Jesus to be our Messiah and cover our sins! But the days will come when this forbearance will end and then here will you be then? To receive God's mercy which has no end is to receive Jesus as Messiah and covering for your sins, then you and I can live forever in God's mercy in heaven!
Lastly I looked up benevolence which means "1)desire to do good to others;good will' charitableness; 'to be filled with benevolence towards one's fellowman';2)an act of kindness;charitable gift." What a great picture of God toward us! He loves us so much and showed us by sending Jesus to cover our sins so we can have a relationship with Him now and forever!
So God's mercy does endure forever, just like Psalm 118 and Psalm 136 says! Now because of all God's mercy and protection we can sing the verse below today and every day. No matter how bad it may be,God's mercy is enough to get us thru life today!
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A time to pause
This week I attended St. Anna's Parish Mission. This was a "retreat" time for me to be with God, and to hear from the Lord. There were four nights each with a healing and encouraging theme to help us grow closer to God.
First I learned again how I am the beloved of God. To hear this was healing to my broken and wounded heart, spirit and soul! There were several illustrations of what God's love is to us using things we are all familiar with. The love of a nursing mother towards her infant fore instance. The mother tenderly caresses the child, lovingly feeds the child, cares for all the child's needs. This is the way God cares and loves us all too. Also water was another illustration to show the abundance of God's love for us. Water is everywhere around us, and readily available, just like God's love for each of us!
The second night we were reminded how God thru Jesus' death on the cross forgives our sins. The teacher encouraged us to keep our relationship with God open by frequently confessing our sins. Then we were reminded to forgive others as God forgives us so that earthly relationships are as God would have them to be.
The third night we were encouraged to serve others with the love of God flowing thru us. We learned the phrase "Be Christ to others and Let others be Christ to you". This put a new slant on serving the world as Jesus did. It is blessed to serve, but it is also a blessing to allow others to serve you. It must go both ways. To be Christ to others requires we know Christ and what He did to serve others! Studying scriptures, prayer and direction from the Holy Spirit is the key to this element.We are all called to help those who come across our path in life.
We also need to share with others what God is doing in our life. The best way we can share the gospel with people is to share our personal story of our walk with God. Then you are not offending the listener, just sharing what God does for you. Sometimes this is the door that opens the listener's heart to God, sometimes not. But our job is just to share the gospel, our story of faith in God.
I hope you will take a few minutes and reflect on these four ideas and let God speak to you too.
First I learned again how I am the beloved of God. To hear this was healing to my broken and wounded heart, spirit and soul! There were several illustrations of what God's love is to us using things we are all familiar with. The love of a nursing mother towards her infant fore instance. The mother tenderly caresses the child, lovingly feeds the child, cares for all the child's needs. This is the way God cares and loves us all too. Also water was another illustration to show the abundance of God's love for us. Water is everywhere around us, and readily available, just like God's love for each of us!
The second night we were reminded how God thru Jesus' death on the cross forgives our sins. The teacher encouraged us to keep our relationship with God open by frequently confessing our sins. Then we were reminded to forgive others as God forgives us so that earthly relationships are as God would have them to be.
The third night we were encouraged to serve others with the love of God flowing thru us. We learned the phrase "Be Christ to others and Let others be Christ to you". This put a new slant on serving the world as Jesus did. It is blessed to serve, but it is also a blessing to allow others to serve you. It must go both ways. To be Christ to others requires we know Christ and what He did to serve others! Studying scriptures, prayer and direction from the Holy Spirit is the key to this element.We are all called to help those who come across our path in life.
We also need to share with others what God is doing in our life. The best way we can share the gospel with people is to share our personal story of our walk with God. Then you are not offending the listener, just sharing what God does for you. Sometimes this is the door that opens the listener's heart to God, sometimes not. But our job is just to share the gospel, our story of faith in God.
I hope you will take a few minutes and reflect on these four ideas and let God speak to you too.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
How much Jesus gave
A Lenten meditation caused me to ponder how much Jesus gave up. Matthew 26:17-29 is telling the story of Jesus' last Passover meal with His disciples. Today as I read thru these passages I was struck by how Jesus totally gave up everything, down to his very blood for us! How much more can a someone give than their blood! Its the life force of all humans, and Jesus gave His for my sins and yours. Wow! Jesus so totally have up all of life,all health,all his body all for us. Do we truly get it? Today it just hit hard how much Jesus gave, down to his blood. We don't give that much to anyone or thing do we? We have nothing to complain about and everything to be thankful to God for!
Dear God, Thank-you is so little to say, but with all thanksgiving and praise in my heart, I thank-you for Your Son's work on the cross for me!AMEN!
Dear God, Thank-you is so little to say, but with all thanksgiving and praise in my heart, I thank-you for Your Son's work on the cross for me!AMEN!
Where's Your Ministry?
Mark 5:1-20 The story of the demon possessed man is told here. He had a legion of demons. Wow! He was a very messed up person before Jesus met him! Jesus commanded the legion of demons into a herd of pigs and totally freed the man forever! The man wanted to come with Jesus. But Jesus said no. How surprised the man must have been. Instead Jesus sent the man home to his friends and family. His mission was to tell all of them what God had done for him. That is exactly what the man did, he shared his story all over his home area!
If God has sent you "home" to minister do not think it isn't a ministry! Wherever God sends you is a ministry area. Because you can always tell others what God has done for you personally! You can always share what scripture blessed you today. Do not neglect your "home" ministry area. In years to come you will see the blessings of God on those around you. Be faithful to the mission God's give you, where ever that may be.
See you in ministry soon!
If God has sent you "home" to minister do not think it isn't a ministry! Wherever God sends you is a ministry area. Because you can always tell others what God has done for you personally! You can always share what scripture blessed you today. Do not neglect your "home" ministry area. In years to come you will see the blessings of God on those around you. Be faithful to the mission God's give you, where ever that may be.
See you in ministry soon!
God walks with you and I
Psalm 138:1-2 This Psalm is such a blessing to me in almost every verse. First you praise God with your whole heart,sing and worship Him. Remember how much God loves us, He sent Jesus for us!
Psalm 138:3,7 says "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.(7)Though I walk in the midst of trouble You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies and Your right hand will save me.(8) The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever..." What promises from God! What encouragement, for whatever is happening in your life at this moment! Yes, God sees you and me. Yes God will see us thru these difficult moments. Hang on, trust God, He "will perfect that which concerns " you and I today!
Psalm 138:3,7 says "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.(7)Though I walk in the midst of trouble You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies and Your right hand will save me.(8) The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever..." What promises from God! What encouragement, for whatever is happening in your life at this moment! Yes, God sees you and me. Yes God will see us thru these difficult moments. Hang on, trust God, He "will perfect that which concerns " you and I today!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Question answered
A reader of my blog asked me if these come from a book or something I've read. If I quote a book I will be sure to tell you and give credit where credit is due. Usually these little entries come from my own personal time studying God's word and praying and mediating. I only share what God tells me too. Its up to you to ask God if its correct for your life. I hope these entries are encouraging you to seek God harder. God bless you reader!
Carolyn
Carolyn
Do I really understand?
Mark 14:6-9 "Jesus said, " Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done with be told in memory of her. '"
Jesus was talking about the lady with the alabaster box that we talked about the other day. The people around her criticized her greatly, remember. I don't think we totally understand this lady and others like her. She gave extravagantly. She gave in a way that was despised by those around her. She gave ahead of tradition, this was burial oil. She worshiped as she gave! She adored and loved Jesus extravagantly!... Do I? Do you?... Its something to consider as we continue on our Lenten journey to grow closer to God, to learn more about our Lord Jesus.
Jesus was talking about the lady with the alabaster box that we talked about the other day. The people around her criticized her greatly, remember. I don't think we totally understand this lady and others like her. She gave extravagantly. She gave in a way that was despised by those around her. She gave ahead of tradition, this was burial oil. She worshiped as she gave! She adored and loved Jesus extravagantly!... Do I? Do you?... Its something to consider as we continue on our Lenten journey to grow closer to God, to learn more about our Lord Jesus.
The why behind Lent
To respond to one followers request for information about Lent, when it started and why its 40days I did a bit of online research. Basically Lent is not in the Bible, but using the examples of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, Moses and Elijah's 40 days with God, the church decided early on to set aside 40 days each year to concentrate on getting closer to God and to make sure one's life was following God's rules. It was also intended to increase your understanding of what Jesus went thru for us to have forgiveness of our sins. After the Protestant Reformation many churches did not observe Lent at all as part of the split with Roman Catholic church. However Methodist, Presbyterians,Lutherans, and others did keep Lent in their liturgy.
I looked on several websites but found the most concise information on the UMC.org website for the United Methodist Church. If you put in the following sentence in the search box for the website you will find a wealth of information and some fun articles to read. Try;
"What is Lent and why does it last forty days"
My own experience has been that as I set aside these 40 days to spend more time with God, searching scriptures,praying and aligning myself as best a human can with God's ideals, that then Easter/Resurrection Sunday has about 500% more meaning to me!! An added bonus is all you learn from God during this time that hopefully makes us better people to share God to those around us. After all isn't that our mission or purpose in life?
I looked on several websites but found the most concise information on the UMC.org website for the United Methodist Church. If you put in the following sentence in the search box for the website you will find a wealth of information and some fun articles to read. Try;
"What is Lent and why does it last forty days"
My own experience has been that as I set aside these 40 days to spend more time with God, searching scriptures,praying and aligning myself as best a human can with God's ideals, that then Easter/Resurrection Sunday has about 500% more meaning to me!! An added bonus is all you learn from God during this time that hopefully makes us better people to share God to those around us. After all isn't that our mission or purpose in life?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Give, Deny, Follow
"Give extravagantly like the lady with the alabaster box, who anointed Jesus with expensive oil." WOW! That's a huge instruction for the season of Lent and giving alms. I am meditating on this and just what does this mean for me this year.
Luke 9:23 tells us to daily deny our self and follow Jesus. Perhaps part of Lent is to deny yourself and more fully follow Jesus. Yes! Each day let God tell you how to deny your own ideas and motives and instead follow His plan for your day. Deny self gratification and instead glorify Jesus in all you do today!
Mark 1:1-20 is where Jesus is calling some of His first disciples. Did they already know Him or know what He was going to be doing? Did Jesus just say "come" and the came or did He have to convince them? Who really knows, but it appears that they just went when called from this scripture. Do I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit so closely or quickly?
Its interesting this is what God spoke to me early this morning, because so far today I have not done so well doing this! But that's what Lent is all about, realizing where you are blowing it, seeking forgiveness and starting over again with renewed purpose and energy for our Lord!
Today be listening as God speaks to you and shows you how to give of yourself extravagantly, to deny yourself, and follow God's leading explicitly.
Luke 9:23 tells us to daily deny our self and follow Jesus. Perhaps part of Lent is to deny yourself and more fully follow Jesus. Yes! Each day let God tell you how to deny your own ideas and motives and instead follow His plan for your day. Deny self gratification and instead glorify Jesus in all you do today!
Mark 1:1-20 is where Jesus is calling some of His first disciples. Did they already know Him or know what He was going to be doing? Did Jesus just say "come" and the came or did He have to convince them? Who really knows, but it appears that they just went when called from this scripture. Do I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit so closely or quickly?
Its interesting this is what God spoke to me early this morning, because so far today I have not done so well doing this! But that's what Lent is all about, realizing where you are blowing it, seeking forgiveness and starting over again with renewed purpose and energy for our Lord!
Today be listening as God speaks to you and shows you how to give of yourself extravagantly, to deny yourself, and follow God's leading explicitly.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. This is the 40 days before the wonderful celebration of Easter or Resurrection Sunday when we celebrate the Lord Jesus overcoming sin for us! Some years ago I discovered how meaningful Easter will is when one also prepares during the season of Lent. Since then its been an amazing journey as God has taught me many truths during this time of prayer,fasting and alms giving.
Today as I begin my personal observance of Lent I am excited to hear from God as I concentrate some extra time in prayer and Bible reading. As I read thru two devotional books God impressed on me two ideas for this year to consider. First the tradition of giving up something for Lent can also be about giving up a particular "sin" or bad habit, something that does not let Jesus shine in our lives! So then Lent becomes a time to think about true repentance,turning from a particular sin or vice and purposing to not do it any more with God's help. I have 40 days to prayerfully consider what God is telling me I need to work on. I am sure there is a huge list of sins that God sees, I expect to hear about that in the coming days!
Secondly is the tradition of alms giving or acts of charity to those around you or far away. What a great tradition and way to show others the love of God because we know Jesus gave the ultimate gift to all of us. Matthew 6:16-18 indicates no one should know what you are doing when you give alms or do acts of charity. That's very humbling isn't it? We all like to do good deeds, give gifts etc and get a nice thank-you in return! Are we willing to do the same during Lent when no one knows its us, and we do not receive thanks? Jesus seldom received a thank-you for all the healings He did while on earth. We certainly can try to follow Jesus' example and do good in spite of not being appreciated at times.
Both turning from sin and doing good deeds for others will let a little bit of Jesus shine thru us to those around us. How about it, want to join the Lenten journey? Ask God what He wants you to learn and do this year on the Lenten Journey. How will you prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord?
Today as I begin my personal observance of Lent I am excited to hear from God as I concentrate some extra time in prayer and Bible reading. As I read thru two devotional books God impressed on me two ideas for this year to consider. First the tradition of giving up something for Lent can also be about giving up a particular "sin" or bad habit, something that does not let Jesus shine in our lives! So then Lent becomes a time to think about true repentance,turning from a particular sin or vice and purposing to not do it any more with God's help. I have 40 days to prayerfully consider what God is telling me I need to work on. I am sure there is a huge list of sins that God sees, I expect to hear about that in the coming days!
Secondly is the tradition of alms giving or acts of charity to those around you or far away. What a great tradition and way to show others the love of God because we know Jesus gave the ultimate gift to all of us. Matthew 6:16-18 indicates no one should know what you are doing when you give alms or do acts of charity. That's very humbling isn't it? We all like to do good deeds, give gifts etc and get a nice thank-you in return! Are we willing to do the same during Lent when no one knows its us, and we do not receive thanks? Jesus seldom received a thank-you for all the healings He did while on earth. We certainly can try to follow Jesus' example and do good in spite of not being appreciated at times.
Both turning from sin and doing good deeds for others will let a little bit of Jesus shine thru us to those around us. How about it, want to join the Lenten journey? Ask God what He wants you to learn and do this year on the Lenten Journey. How will you prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord?
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Sweetness or Bitterness?
Many trials and testings have kept me busy treading the spiritual waters lately. However yesterday I had a huge "aaa-haaa" moment! Lately the children and I have been working our way thru Kay Arthur's Bible study on the names of God.Yesterday's lesson was wonderful yet again and very timely. But what I got out of it was not what Kay was talking about it, its what God showed me! We were to read in Exodus 15 where the people of Israel had just passed over/thru the Red Sea and seen God defeat the Egyptians. Three days later they are out of water and thristy. So they cry out to Moses, who in turns crys out to God. Lesson number one, when you have problems cry out to God in prayers!
They came up to the waters of Marah, which means bitterness. I guess it was a type of oasis in the desert with this bitter water there. Moses is busy asking God what to do as the people are really upset. Then God says, see this tree? Throw it in the water and the water will be sweet.
Several thoughts came to me from this passage. First is that Moses did NOT see the tree prior to God pointing it out. Many times the answers to our prayers are right there, but we don't see it! Pray and ask God to show you the answer He has for you, its probably as visable as Moses' tree! Sometimes the answer is not there yet, and God will show you that too. Who knows if the tree had been there all along or did God place it there suddenly? God also told Moses He could bring water from a rock if He wanted to, seems to me that God is saying I can provide and answer you using anything, anyone or any situation I so choose. So be open to God's leading and obey the voice of God.
Secondly, God says He was testing the people, to see if they would obey Him or not. Be brave and do what God shows you to do and then you will receive the sweetness of God's presence in your life too.When going thru trials and tests we have two choices to make. Either one can look and see God working in the trials and tests and experience the sweetness of God's presence in your life ,or you can decide to be bitter and mad at God for letting them happen. You choose one or the other, its up to you how it ends up. Will you end up feeling bitter,resentful and angry about the trials and testings you are experiencing? Or will you choose to follow God's plans and answers and experience His sweet presence in your life?
Lastly, God was leading them visable day and night, it was not a mistake that they came to Marah! As we follow God there are times we think, oh wow, I made a mistake, I thought I was following God, but now I must not be because look at this mess I'm in. Honestly I think if I've been praying and seeking God and problems come I need to remember, God did led me to this decision, to live my life like this. So the outcome, be it good or bad is also in God's hands! Usually it just looks "bad" for awhile, when I look back I can see God's plan at work, but in the heat of problems, trials and testings it can look like a mess.But here again we must trust God, lean on His understanding and not our own!
So no matter how it "feels" or looks right now, remember I followed God this far, and I will follow Him forever because I want to experience the sweetness of Marah in my own life! Look for your "tree" and be amazed at how God turns bitterness into the sweetness of His presence once again in your life today!
They came up to the waters of Marah, which means bitterness. I guess it was a type of oasis in the desert with this bitter water there. Moses is busy asking God what to do as the people are really upset. Then God says, see this tree? Throw it in the water and the water will be sweet.
Several thoughts came to me from this passage. First is that Moses did NOT see the tree prior to God pointing it out. Many times the answers to our prayers are right there, but we don't see it! Pray and ask God to show you the answer He has for you, its probably as visable as Moses' tree! Sometimes the answer is not there yet, and God will show you that too. Who knows if the tree had been there all along or did God place it there suddenly? God also told Moses He could bring water from a rock if He wanted to, seems to me that God is saying I can provide and answer you using anything, anyone or any situation I so choose. So be open to God's leading and obey the voice of God.
Secondly, God says He was testing the people, to see if they would obey Him or not. Be brave and do what God shows you to do and then you will receive the sweetness of God's presence in your life too.When going thru trials and tests we have two choices to make. Either one can look and see God working in the trials and tests and experience the sweetness of God's presence in your life ,or you can decide to be bitter and mad at God for letting them happen. You choose one or the other, its up to you how it ends up. Will you end up feeling bitter,resentful and angry about the trials and testings you are experiencing? Or will you choose to follow God's plans and answers and experience His sweet presence in your life?
Lastly, God was leading them visable day and night, it was not a mistake that they came to Marah! As we follow God there are times we think, oh wow, I made a mistake, I thought I was following God, but now I must not be because look at this mess I'm in. Honestly I think if I've been praying and seeking God and problems come I need to remember, God did led me to this decision, to live my life like this. So the outcome, be it good or bad is also in God's hands! Usually it just looks "bad" for awhile, when I look back I can see God's plan at work, but in the heat of problems, trials and testings it can look like a mess.But here again we must trust God, lean on His understanding and not our own!
So no matter how it "feels" or looks right now, remember I followed God this far, and I will follow Him forever because I want to experience the sweetness of Marah in my own life! Look for your "tree" and be amazed at how God turns bitterness into the sweetness of His presence once again in your life today!
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