Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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Labels: Homeschool
God's Love and Mercy
I have been pondering some thoughts about anger, sin, forgiveness and remorse.
It comes to me that God in His great power still allows us to make choices...knowing that we will often make poor ones. Does that cancel His love for us? No. It gives Him an opportunity to show us His love and His restoration. We will always be battling with this old world and our flesh will pull us toward sin. Our goal then should be to exercise our Spirit man. Become stronger. When we fall we need to get up and dust ourselves off and get back in the game.
I remember when I was about 3 years old and my parents took me to my first football game. It was a high school game...I think!
Anyway, having never seen this game in person I was captivated. I still remember being very concerned about those poor young men who kept falling down, but my parents made it clear to me that was part of the game. So in an effort to make myself part of the cheering crowd I shouted to the players: "It's okay! Get up boy and brush yourself off!" These words of great wisdom were pulled from my vast knowledge of falling down and having my own mother encourage me to get up and not cry.
Sometimes we do things we regret. Sometimes we sin with our words. Sometimes we sin with our actions. Sometimes we think it our own job to defend ourselves instead of letting God be our shelter and lash out at those who have hurt us in some way. Sometimes we simply do silly, selfish things. The simple fact is, we are humans who must get up and brush ourselves off daily. We WILL fall down. The key to victory is getting back up and playing with the team again.
It comes to me that God in His great power still allows us to make choices...knowing that we will often make poor ones. Does that cancel His love for us? No. It gives Him an opportunity to show us His love and His restoration. We will always be battling with this old world and our flesh will pull us toward sin. Our goal then should be to exercise our Spirit man. Become stronger. When we fall we need to get up and dust ourselves off and get back in the game.
I remember when I was about 3 years old and my parents took me to my first football game. It was a high school game...I think!
Anyway, having never seen this game in person I was captivated. I still remember being very concerned about those poor young men who kept falling down, but my parents made it clear to me that was part of the game. So in an effort to make myself part of the cheering crowd I shouted to the players: "It's okay! Get up boy and brush yourself off!" These words of great wisdom were pulled from my vast knowledge of falling down and having my own mother encourage me to get up and not cry.
Sometimes we do things we regret. Sometimes we sin with our words. Sometimes we sin with our actions. Sometimes we think it our own job to defend ourselves instead of letting God be our shelter and lash out at those who have hurt us in some way. Sometimes we simply do silly, selfish things. The simple fact is, we are humans who must get up and brush ourselves off daily. We WILL fall down. The key to victory is getting back up and playing with the team again.
The Power of God's Love and Mercy
Due to mankind’s sin man deserves to die. Why? The wages of sin is death. No sacrifice could earn His pardon. So, Mankind was doomed. Because of His love and mercy He makes the sacrifice!
A. In God’s Mercy we are rescued from our dilemma, for the Gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
B. We see that Christ died for our sins in 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
C. When we confess our sins and commit our life to Christ, we are forgiven, cleansed, and renewed in God’s love. 1 John 1:9.
Point 3. Gods Mercy Endures – Romans 11:30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
A. God’s mercy is enduring: not just a day, not just a week, not just a month or year but forever. The future of every relationship is decided by mercy. “Mercy is a seed that is to be sown”
B. No sin is too great, no burden is too heavy, no valley too deep, no suffering too severe, no night to long for God not to reach out to you. God’s mercy offers deliverance, healing and restoration.
C. Jesus bore our sickness and disease at the same time He bore our sins. Matthew 8:16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”
Point 4. God’s Mercy provided salvation – Salvation means to be born again.
A. How? Romans 10: 9-13
B. It’s deliverance from the power and effects of sin and the curse.
C. 1Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ!
God’s Mercy Defeated Satan in the upper room:
In the upper room, Satan witnessed the result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Exhibit 1. He had slain Jesus to annihilate him; Instead, He was resurrected and his death gave birth to a new race.
Exhibit 2. He saw men and women rescued and recreated.
Exhibit 3. He saw their sins removed and blotted out.
Exhibit 4. He saw the power that cast him out of heaven enter men by the Holy Spirit.
Exhibit 5. He became aware of the fact that the recreated people would have power over him and his kingdom.
Exhibit 6. He saw that these recreated people would now have the power to lay hands on the sick and they would recover.
Exhibit 7. He saw the slaves shaking of their chains and being made free.
Exhibit 8. He saw God give men the measure of faith so that others would be snatched from his authority.
Exhibit 9. He saw the fear and doubt he had enthroned in men’s hearts being replaced by faith, love and freedom to excel in life.
Exhibit 10. He saw men become Kings.
Today! is your day to receive the goodness and mercy of God that delivers and sets free all who receive it! Regardless of your past or present condition God loves you!
Nehemiah 9:17 (NKJV) They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them. Ps. 136:26 and Pr. 3:3
Most people don’t comprehend the Love and Mercy of God which makes Him stand out from other gods. There is none like Him!
Hebrew uses several words for ‘mercy,’ in Hebrew chesed, which means loving-kindness, mercy, love, loyalty, and faithfulness. Another Hebrew word and the Greek word for mercy in the NT refer to the emotion aroused by contact with undeserved suffering, that is, compassion and a deeply felt love for a fellow human being. In the OT mercy/loving-kindness is associated with the covenant obligation between God and mankind.
David in Psalm 25:6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old.
Point 1. His Mercy Always Motivates - Psalm 103: 1 A Psalm Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
A. There is a lot of injustice and inequality in the world today and greed and inconsideration has crowded out liberty and justice.
B. God binds himself to fidelity to the covenant by mercy and by grace (another Hebrew word used to mean mercy). So then we have no reason not to be faithful to the Covenant with God.
C. God’s mercy motivated Christ to come to earth to bring a pardon and purpose to all mankind. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
We must be motivated by God’s mercy to lift up the fallen, love the unloved and introduce to everyone the abundant life through Christ Jesus. Ps. 108:4
Point 2. His Mercy redeems – Titus 3:5-7
by Pastor Anthony McFarland
Labels: Inspirations
Sunday, March 16, 2008
I'm not missing just distracted...
Sunday smiles to you!
I am sorry I went AWOL.
I was sick for about a week and then Ladybug and Doodlebug were sick for a few days and then I spent several days getting ready for Osprey to come home on Spring Break!
We cleaned out the extra room for two of Osprey's friends and Rivergirl and Amanda (my several-times-per-week helper) made cheese cake.
He was able to ride with three friends from college and arrived home Friday evening. His friends spent the night here so they could get a fresh start on Saturday morning. They still had 10 hours to go..bless their hearts!
Friday night we had a fun time eating pizza and talking. They were also kind enough to play music for us! It really was one of the happier times of my life! The three visitors were all polite and charming and played with, held, sang to, and read to my littles. We heard a sweet version of Jesus Loves Me in piano, saxophone and guitar. They have officially earned a place in this mama's heart! :-)
I probably won't be posting very much this week since Osprey is here. I'll be spending a lot of time with him. But I'll try to tell all about our week eventually.
This afternoon we are scheduled to go get his senior portraits taken in a neighboring town. He's dreading it a little (too much fussing and ordering about) and I'm really looking forward to it.
have a sunny day!
I am sorry I went AWOL.
I was sick for about a week and then Ladybug and Doodlebug were sick for a few days and then I spent several days getting ready for Osprey to come home on Spring Break!
We cleaned out the extra room for two of Osprey's friends and Rivergirl and Amanda (my several-times-per-week helper) made cheese cake.
He was able to ride with three friends from college and arrived home Friday evening. His friends spent the night here so they could get a fresh start on Saturday morning. They still had 10 hours to go..bless their hearts!
Friday night we had a fun time eating pizza and talking. They were also kind enough to play music for us! It really was one of the happier times of my life! The three visitors were all polite and charming and played with, held, sang to, and read to my littles. We heard a sweet version of Jesus Loves Me in piano, saxophone and guitar. They have officially earned a place in this mama's heart! :-)
I probably won't be posting very much this week since Osprey is here. I'll be spending a lot of time with him. But I'll try to tell all about our week eventually.
This afternoon we are scheduled to go get his senior portraits taken in a neighboring town. He's dreading it a little (too much fussing and ordering about) and I'm really looking forward to it.
have a sunny day!
Labels: Another Day, Family, Holidays and Celebrations
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