Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (NIV)
But, Lord, you are a God who shows mercy and is kind. You don't become angry quickly. You have great love and faithfulness. (NCV)
But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. (NLV)
Name one person who showed the greatest act of mercy? Who popped into your head? Was it your parents, siblings, teacher, child, stranger, or yourself? Perhaps they did show you some act of mercy, but there is one who is greater. And He did in a way only He can.
You see, receiving mercy from God is one of the best experiences in the world. God not only showed you mercy by forgiving your sins when you became a Christian, it went much further. He continues to forgive you and shows you every second, minute, hour, day, week, and month. Amazing and encouraging. And only God could be that patient and merciful to shower us in that manner. I ask you receive His mercy with a grateful heart. And while you are at it commit yourself to extending the same kind of mercy to others. We all could use mercy every now and then.
Song: Thy Mercy (by Caedmon's Call)
Thy mercy my God is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue.
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affection and bound my soul fast.
Without Thy sweet mercy, I could not live here.
Sin would reduce me to utter despair,
But through Thy free goodness, my spirit's revived
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.
Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart.
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground
And weep for the praise of the mercy I've found.
(Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
(Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah)
Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
In the covenant love of Thy crucified Son.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine.
Well, Hallelujah
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Well, Hallelujah
Is there someone who might need to receive mercy today instead of judgment?
27 July 2009
05 July 2009
Unity In One ... Christ
1 Corinthians 1:10, 30
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. ... It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (NIV)
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ... But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (KJV)
What is unity? Unity Church of Ann Arbor defines unity as: Unity is an adventure that arouses interest in our spiritual nature. Unity sparks our desire to find our true relationship with God. The military uses the term unity of effort as: Coordination and cooperation toward common objectives, even if the participants are not necessarily part of the same command or organization - the product of successful unified action.
When it comes to believers, unity of heart, purpose, and mind comes when everyone strives for the same things. Two of those integral things are - serving others first and helping others before helping oneself. What is the number one division? Selfishness. What is second? The desire to get what you want in the expense of others. Seems harsh, but it's reality. Some of us believers will stop at nothing to get what we want. Whatever happened to getting to know others through Christ? We have to change our mindset and reprioritize our values, morals and scruples. We need to let God take over. And when that happens, everyone's goal will be to serve others. Then and only then will the needs of everyone be met. When you as a leader, pastor, parent, teacher or co-worker model the priority of serving others first, you will see unity blossom in your organization, church, home, school, or work.
Song: Unity (by Pillar)
There's you and I in unity
It's time we take a stand so we can let the world see
God made different colors to make His people unique
Just because I'm different doesn't mean that I'm a freak
Or maybe I am a freak for the man Himself who died for me
We're daily on a mission from God in search of unity
it's time you open your eyes see the problem at hand
All you have to do is love and live and take your own stand
And love each other like a brother
All you people love them like they were your sister or your mother
It's time we stoop the hate so we can't hurt one another
'Cause that ain't it that ain't right
Congregate we got to fight
The end will come keep Him in sight
His people unify it's time we all fight
Chorus
You and I in unity
That's what love should be
You and I in unity
It's time for the world to see
Denomination it shouldn't stop a congregation
From being one with every tongue and every tribe and every nation
Tribulation the force that fought for people left behind
Revelation I got to let them know the missions mine
All those different places of different races and different faces
We come together as one achievable through graces
It's not about the fat pockets or scrilla
We got to stand up straight and be strong like a pillar
We got to stand up and fight
You know the time is right
We got to keep the end in sight
So His people stand up and fight
What five things can you do to serve others today?
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. ... It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (NIV)
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ... But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (KJV)
What is unity? Unity Church of Ann Arbor defines unity as: Unity is an adventure that arouses interest in our spiritual nature. Unity sparks our desire to find our true relationship with God. The military uses the term unity of effort as: Coordination and cooperation toward common objectives, even if the participants are not necessarily part of the same command or organization - the product of successful unified action.
When it comes to believers, unity of heart, purpose, and mind comes when everyone strives for the same things. Two of those integral things are - serving others first and helping others before helping oneself. What is the number one division? Selfishness. What is second? The desire to get what you want in the expense of others. Seems harsh, but it's reality. Some of us believers will stop at nothing to get what we want. Whatever happened to getting to know others through Christ? We have to change our mindset and reprioritize our values, morals and scruples. We need to let God take over. And when that happens, everyone's goal will be to serve others. Then and only then will the needs of everyone be met. When you as a leader, pastor, parent, teacher or co-worker model the priority of serving others first, you will see unity blossom in your organization, church, home, school, or work.
Song: Unity (by Pillar)
There's you and I in unity
It's time we take a stand so we can let the world see
God made different colors to make His people unique
Just because I'm different doesn't mean that I'm a freak
Or maybe I am a freak for the man Himself who died for me
We're daily on a mission from God in search of unity
it's time you open your eyes see the problem at hand
All you have to do is love and live and take your own stand
And love each other like a brother
All you people love them like they were your sister or your mother
It's time we stoop the hate so we can't hurt one another
'Cause that ain't it that ain't right
Congregate we got to fight
The end will come keep Him in sight
His people unify it's time we all fight
Chorus
You and I in unity
That's what love should be
You and I in unity
It's time for the world to see
Denomination it shouldn't stop a congregation
From being one with every tongue and every tribe and every nation
Tribulation the force that fought for people left behind
Revelation I got to let them know the missions mine
All those different places of different races and different faces
We come together as one achievable through graces
It's not about the fat pockets or scrilla
We got to stand up straight and be strong like a pillar
We got to stand up and fight
You know the time is right
We got to keep the end in sight
So His people stand up and fight
What five things can you do to serve others today?
03 July 2009
Heaven: My Goal In Life
2 Corinthians 4:17
As a heaven-bound follower of Jesus Christ, you need to put heaven and earth in proper perspective. Here on earth, you will live for a hundred years or less. In heaven, a hundred million years is just the beginning! Yet God has determined that how you live during your short time on earth will prepare you for heaven. This gives you purpose in your life, perspective on your troubles, and anticipation for what God has planned for you in eternity.
How does your view of heaven affect your life now?
As a heaven-bound follower of Jesus Christ, you need to put heaven and earth in proper perspective. Here on earth, you will live for a hundred years or less. In heaven, a hundred million years is just the beginning! Yet God has determined that how you live during your short time on earth will prepare you for heaven. This gives you purpose in your life, perspective on your troubles, and anticipation for what God has planned for you in eternity.
How does your view of heaven affect your life now?
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