Mercy and Love

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us“ ~ Ephesians 2:4

I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to the mercy of God, but we must strive to comprehend God’s mercy coupled with His love.  Why?  Because He loves us.    

If you are anything like me there are at times where I feel as though my sins have overtaken me, “But God…”. What a beautiful blessed statement to begin with, “But God…” 

If we were to only view God as creator (which He is). Or as the sustainer (which He is) or even as owner (which He is). We would not be wrong, “But God, being rich in mercy”. 

The fact that our sins have been paid, and paid in full should constantly be at the forefront of our minds as children of God.  Why? “But God, being rich in mercy”. His mercy comes from His love.  

So when you and I sin, which we do, it is His mercy that flows through His love that says Remember my love and come back to me.  It is His mercy and love that should have us running back to him when we sin.  

The devil will try to convince us of just the opposite.  The devil will say something to the effect of “you’ve sinned, so run”. I always picture that seen in the Lion King when Scar tells Simba to “run and never comeback”…silly analogy I know, but I am convinced that it makes the proper point.  

The bottom line is this; God is rich in mercy, God is rich in love and forgiveness, and it stems from His love for you…“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us”

If you don’t know God as your father I hope and pray this would encourage you to seek Him out. If you’ve been away from God and are now beginning to long to comeback to Him-He is rich in mercy and love for you.  If you are doing well spiritually then share this message with those whom you know need it.  

Finally, you can always message me if you have questions, comments, concerns or need help.

Giving Thanks

Despite what you may be going through, we can give thanks for the blessings that God has provided us.  Living, loving and giving thanks keeps you grateful, humble and focused on Gods goodness in your life.  So give thanks.

His grace for you

There is nothing, absolutely nothing that does not fall under Gods divine power and Grace.  From faith to forgiveness, Jesus redeemed and reconciled it all for Gods children.  Think about it, what ever you may be in need of He has provided it, himself.

Press on

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14

As Paul writes this, we can and should join with him in the goodness that God is readily making available to all his children!

We can and should FORGET THE PAST, and PRESS ON!

How many of us have read Jeremiah 29:11?  But how many of us believe it? How many of us know that because of what Jesus Christ has done that we are reconciled back to God and can now call Him Father?!

So to keep it simple, almost silly, but true,  do you remember Simon Says?  "If Simon said it you can do it", well God said it, so you can do it, because He will do it through you.

Forget the past and press on!

Blessings

What am I supposed to do next?

It has been a long time since I have updated this (too long in fact) but I have wanted for awhile.  In fact the desire to do so had been steadily increasing for the past few months that I knew that I just had to.

But "What was I supposed to do next?"

Have you ever felt that you were supposed to do something, you just knew you were called to do something bigger and better, more than what you were currently doing right now?  Well what are we supposed to do when we have that feeling, that what I will call "Urge to Serve"?

First, and easiest of all, pray, "In all things prayer and supplication".

Next, "give thanks"!  Don't get disheartened but instead raise your head, raise your hands , raise your heart and give thanks.

Finally, talk to good godly brothers (and sisters)-seek Godly council.

I don't know where you are, or what God is placing in your heart to do next for his glory, but take these few steps.  Stay in the word, continue to pray, give thanks, and seek wise council.

Ill let you know what's on my heart, what I am desiring to do, that I am doing, and that is this;
To continue to expand our Bible study (possibly start a church) and disciple (mentor) people of all ages drawing them closer to God, seeing Him work on them, in them and through them, all for His glory.  So if you would please pray for me, that I would continue to grow in godliness and holiness.  That those of you that can and would willingly support me, this calling of mine would, and that in return I might be able to help you on your journey as well.

Blessings

"Where do I start?!"

I have been studying this particular epistle for several weeks now (The 3rd Epistle of John), and to be honest I started out of no deep theological debate, nor did I "feel led" to read and study, on the contrary the very reason I started reading and studying was for the simple fact that it is a short book, one of the shortest.  I should have known that as you read with purpose and intention of uncovering what God is conveying that any true desire to seek Him more, to seek His heart, He will reveal Himself more and more, infinitely more... needless to say, as I previously stated this has turned into a month long study, and one that I do not believe I am completely done with either, I know I am not done, this is only the beginning.


Why am I telling you all of this?  The answer is simple really, silly almost, we all know we need to start somewhere and "Where?" is usually the question, so the answer to that question is "ANYWHERE, just start."  So I am starting here with one of the shortest books with the intention of getting to know God more, join with me.  Take some time today and read this Epistle a few times, nothing especially different or difficult, just read it, then pray about it, and check back here and let's see what God reveals to us through it.  Blessings.

Are you blessed?

Can you call yourself blessed if you are rich? certainly, but are you still blessed if you are poor?  again the answer should be and the truth is "Yes!"  Can you feel cursed if you are poor (notice the key word "feel") Yes, yes you can "feel" like you are cursed if you are poor.  On the other hand can those that have money, (what the world considers rich) "feel" cursed as well?  Most assuredly!  So what is the difference between being considered blessed or cursed if it is not rooted and grounded on your finances? ( or any other gift given you; fame, good looks, fortune, etc.)  The simple answer is that we must know what the truth is about being truly blessed is.  Then out of knowing that truth we must apply what we know and hold fast to the truth despite, and in spite of what may try to convince us otherwise.


Let us pray for ears to hear and an open heart.

Who He is part 2

There is an absolute truth, and that is God declaring Who He is, He is God.  If He is who He says He is then everything that He says also speaks of truth (He can not lie).  Since that is TRUE, the absolute TRUTH, we can look at "Who He is" first, then after settling that in our hearts as only He can and will do, everything else that is revealed to us through His word (again, he can not lie) we hold fast to, knowing, believing, and living in Him, because of Him, because of Who He is.

Who He is

A very hard truth, but true it is; Our life is not about what God will do for us, nor is it about what He has done for us, but rather our life is about "Who He is".  It is because of "Who He is" that all other blessings come about.  I once heard that "we need to stop focusing so much on the gifts and start focusing more on the gift giver."   I submit to you and others (including myself) its not that we don't focus enough on the gift giver, but rather we need to ONLY focus on Him, not just focus more.  I say that because He IS the gift, and cliché as it may sound He truly is the Gift that keeps on giving.


Let us pray for ears to hear and an open heart. 

What am I doing?

I have been pondering this question at great lengths, and yet have not come up with a definitive answer.  Now that may sound weird, but stick with me, there is a lot that I would like to do, that I would love to do, but again the question rears its ugly head as if I am arguing with myself; "What am I doing?!"  Any of you reading this feel the same?  If you do, this is what I am doing while I wait, and although the answer may sound too easy, to simple I know that it is right, and it is this...PRAY.  Diligently seek His face, His presence and await your answer.  Let us PRAY, consider what we are doing, what we want to do, what we are called to do, and until we are moved to do it, called to do it, or given other orders, let us PRAY. 

Just Because

I told my sons tonight that I loved them, "Just because"  I usually say it in passing, and now even in text messages, but tonight I also told them that I loved them "Just because".  They hadn't done anything special, in fact I would go so far as to say that they did nothing special today.  I am not saying that that is a bad thing, it could be, and yet I made it a point to say I loved them simply because I can.  As their father I am able and willing to speak into their life my love towards them...Maybe you didn't have a mother or father that said " I love you...just because" but know this God our Father DOES say this, He does tell you, and he went above and beyond by showing you and I as well, just because He could.  He did, He does, and He will continue to do so.  The question is are listening, moreover do you believe me? do you believe Him? believe His word?  I pray that you do.  He loves you, and He is telling you now, " Just because".

A New Start...

A question that has plagued my mind, and possibly yours is "How do I create a new start?"  The short of it is...We CAN'T, but don't be discouraged! God can and does create a new start for us every time we come to Him.  I do believe that repenting can be a part of it, but I also believe that ANY time we come to Him, with praise, prayer, etc, we are in fact connecting with "A New Start..." once we go back to the world.  So many times I've written out diet plans, budgets, reading and studying times with the hopes of "starting new" only to find them falling by the wayside-like so many New Year resolutions, sad but true.  And yet every time, every time I go to God in prayer I leave "new, renewed, and feeling new"  this includes times when I have cried my eyes out searching for answers, those times when it feels like my prayers are hitting the ceiling, you name it, but every time, every single time that I get up from prayer I am for lack of better words, "new"  I have connected, or reconnected with God my Father, my creator and sustainer.   If you desire a new start, might I strongly recommend you going to the only one who can and will give it to you.  A final thought, if you are like me (again) then you wonder too "What do I do after I have gone to Him?", "What I am supposed to do after I have this life changing rearranging new start?"  That's the easiest answer ever...Whatever you know you are supposed to do.  Vaguely specific.  It will be different for everyone, and yet the same for everyone.  Should you clean? call a friend?  talk to your spouse? write down what's on your mind? what you prayed about?  Yes to anything and everything that you believe you should.  Prayer will put power and perspective back in your life.  So you want a new start, you know where to start, you know whom to go to, go.  Blessings.

Worship and its Blessings

Along with reading my Bible I have also just finished a book about the Wesley Brothers called Anatomy of Conversion, them being the "founders of Methodism, Methodists" One thing that I particularly liked and I feel is worth noting is their dedication to worship(writing, singing with others, leading others to and through worship, etc.) With that being said, I too feel as though there are countless... songs, even just verses that truly speak Gods Word and blessing. For those that have known me any amount of time I listen to any and all Christian music, tonight I wanted to share a verse from a "Christian rapper". Which per my opinion, I find redundant, because the majority of all songs rhyme, it's just that "rappers", at least Christian ones use a different heavy beat, but I digress. If you have read this far, below is the quote, I pray you agree and enjoy. Blessings

"Worship is my weapon, hands up when I'm stressin', 'cuz I prayed hard and I stay down and it's 'bout time for my blessin'"- Kaleb Starr

Our Father, and all that that implies

As you pray this morning (prayerfully) consider Matthew 6:9 "The Lord's Prayer", and the "outline" which it provides. Beginning with "Our Father" We must try our best to envision the reality and seriousness of that statement, the blessedness of what that title actually means to you and I. He is "Our Father", can anything be more glorious?! When we acknowledge Him as "Our Father", giver and sustainer of our very life, we then come to Him grateful, thankful, in awe of the grace, mercy, and love that He has once again given to us. "Our Father" has told us to come to know His goodness and glory more, and not only that, He than tells us to share Him, His grace, mercy, and love with others.

Slip, Trip, and Fall

If you've slipped, tripped, or fallen (spiritually speaking) get on your knees and pray. (Your down there already, might as well) in all seriousness, don't stay discouraged in your walk with God, be encouraged that He has still provided you enough strength, life, to call on Him.

You are amazing

"You are amazing God", but what about Him is amazing? I encourage you and I both to marvel at the awesome creator, and loving Father that is far greater than "amazing", yet we can start there and keep trying to praise His glorious name, and we should.

Prayer and Praise

Start your day with prayers and praise, and know that Gods grace will keep you safe, then when you go to sleep tonight, thank The Lord for His loving might.

Through His word...

I pray you all have a great night and in doing so I wanted to leave you this quote which has added to my joy of reading and sharing Gods word with others, and it is this;

"Through His Word The Lord leads us over and over, first to this word, and then to that, showing us His wonderful glory in every one of them." from John Bunyan's "Grace Abounding to The Chief of Sinners"

Have a blessed restful night.

Whole world in His hands

As I have been reading psalms I also came across this quote from C.S. Lewis; "The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance." Although Mr. Lewis did not go into detail about the tears David also suffered, I truly believe that no matter the circumstance, we CAN dance as David danced, because we know that God is sovereign! (He's in control!).

Or as I used to sing as a child "He's go the whole world in His hands, He's got the whole wide world in His hands!"

Psalms 16

How many times have you cried out, begged for God to help you? To just keep you safe? To keep you sane?

King David felt this and wrote down this very feeling in what is commonly referred to as the "Golden Psalm" or the "Michtam of David. It is Psalms 16 and it begins with; "Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge."

The realness of His strain in life is powerful, but please take note of how he ends his first verse. Look carefully how we can and should be encouraged to end our cries of help, "...for in you I take refuge." Through prayer, by His Word, we are assuredly safe and secure in His presence. Cry out, yes, but end with praise and thanksgiving remembering that God is your refuge.