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

        

Linda over at Higher Up and Further In has a wonderful article featured in The Carnival of Homeschooling. It was just what I needed to read today. Being a mother is a tough job any day...but when you add in homeschooling and the desire to train your children in Godliness sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. I often have to step back and take some deep breaths and ask for the Lord to give me strength and wisdom every day. He is always faithful. And today He encouraged me with Linda's article entitled "For the Imperfect Folks"

Here I quote a large part of the article but I did leave out a lot...please go and read the rest of it on her blog as soon as you get the chance.

 

 "On Monday, I disobeyed Flylady and did not bless my house.

On Tuesday, we ate supper an hour late because I was blogging.
On Wednesday, I combed the snarls from my daughter’s hair too roughly  
and brought tears to her eyes.

As you can see, I am a successful person.  Yes. That’s right.  If you don’t believe me, ask Winston Churchill.  He said,  “Success is nothing more than going from one failure to another with undiminished enthusiasm.”  Oh, how true that is. I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.  I fail daily.  But I just dust off my britches and get back up again, and again, and again…

Another reason for my success is that I aim high.  I mean REALLY high.  Of course, I will miss the mark, but I will have accomplished much more this way rather than if I didn’t aim high, or not at all.  I have a very clear vision of the kind of woman I want to be and the kind of education  and training I want my children to experience in our home.  I make goals to reach that vision.  Then I make plans to reach these goals.  It requires time, prayer, research, routines, lists, seeking advice and help from others, among other things. This is another reason why I like Charlotte Mason."..... 

"Now, I do not have great academic ambitions for these kiddos of mine.  I just want them to be “heroes in the strife.”  They may never be music virtuosos, or famous writers and poets, and that’s okay with me.  But I’m aiming high and teaching them to do the same—in every area of their life.  They will miss the mark, no doubt, many times, but they will have been successful.  They will have really lived and I’m doing the same for my own self.  Now, excuse me, while I get my successful self out of my robe and slippers before lunch time."

 

Thank the Lord it's ok to be imperfect!  We just need to strive toward the goal of perfection, knowing that as frail humans we will never truly reach it...but we'll do far more than never having tried at all!

 

Interestingly, I just had this conversation with my 16 yo son...He was discouraged because he thought I was being unreasonable in my requirements for him for the day and said "So...you want me to be perfect?"

To which I answered "Of course not! I just want to know that you are trying!" 

I guess I needed the same sermon he did. :-)

 

I hope this has encouraged you in your daily walk...remember tomorrow is another new day. The Bible says that "The Lord's mercies are new every morning!" Hurray!

 

Sunydazy

Recently I have had the privelege of reconnecting with some old friends. I don't believe these things happen by accident. God has crossed our paths again for a reason. Maybe just so we'll remember to pray for one another.

Earlier this week my mother told me of a phone call from some family friends that we haven't seen nor heard from in many years. I was so excited to hear about them and so many good memories came flooding into my mind!

Hi Amy!(wave) I remember how much we used to laugh together! I can't wait to get together and visit soon!

Today while shopping at my favorite little health food grocery I ran into another old friend whom I haven't seen in a year? She suffered the loss of her husband a couple of years ago...also a friend to myself and my husband. Thankfully the Lord is so good and has taken  her and her little son down His own path for her life...with many adventures yet to come!

Hi Tracey! (wave) Your smile always brightens my day. I can't wait to hear what great things God does in your life! Thank you for trusting God so completely and being such a testimony of God's grace. You are truly an inspiration to me.

Sooo, I've been pondering friendships the last few days and marveling over God's provision of encouragement and fellowship when we need it most...

Here's a poem I found that expresses some of my heart about friends:

Old Friends

There’s hearts filled with laughter
and eyes moved to tears
with memories so vivid
transcending the years
the words of compassion
and actions so kind
the sun smiles down, when
old friends come to mind

I’ve counted my blessings
and shuffled my dreams
and sang to the music
of deep forest streams
searching for places
the light always shined
like deep in my soul, when
old friends come to mind

I count you among
all the guides on the path
who loved me and taught me
to dream and to laugh
when I reach my heaven
I know that I’ll find
this heaven was built
by old friends, I call mine…

9-28-04

Jim Morton

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

A FENCE OR AN AMBULANCE

"Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,

Though to walk near it's crest was so pleasant;

But over it's terrible edge there had slipped

A duke and full many a peasant.

So the people said something would have to be done,

But their projects did not at all tally;

Some said, "Put a fence around the edge of the cliff,"

Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,

For it spread through the neighboring city;

A fence may be useful or not, it is true,

But each heart became brimful of pity

For those who slipped over that dangerous cliff;

And the dwellers in highway and alley

Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence,

But an ambulance down in the valley.

"For the cliff is all right , if you're careful," they said,

"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,

It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much,

As the shock down below when they're stopping."

So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,

Quick forth would these rescuers sally

To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,

With their ambulance down in the valley.

Then an old sage remarked: "It's a marvel to me

That people give far more attention

To repairing results than to stopping the cause,

When they'd much better aim at prevention.

Let us stop at it's source all this mischief," cried he,

"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;

If the cliff we will fence we might almost dispense

With the ambulance down in the valley."

"Oh, he's a fanatic," the others rejoined,

"Dispense with the ambulance? Never!

He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could;

No! No! We'll support them forever.

Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?

And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?

Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,

While the ambulance works in the valley?

But a sensible few, who are practical too,

Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;

They believe that prevention is better than cure,

And their party will soon be the stronger.

Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,

And while other philanthropists dally,

They will scorn all pretense and put up a stout fence

On the cliff that hangs over the valley.

Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,

For the voice of true wisdom is calling,

"To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best

To prevent other people from falling."

Better close up the source of temptation and crime

Than deliver from dungeon or galley;

Better put a strong fence round the top of the cliff

Than an ambulance down in the valley.

     ~JOSEPH MALINS~

     ~THE BEST LOVED POEMS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE~

   I'd like to wish all of my family and dear friends and new friends a very Happy Mother's Day!  Last night we joined my parents and my two brother's families at a mexican restaurant to celebrate.

   My oldest son wasn't feeling well so we decided he'd better not come and pass his cold on to all the little nieces and nephews.  He ended up having pancakes for supper. 

   It was so wonderful to sit and look down that long table and see all those precious children.:-)  I know it's special to my mother too.  I look forward to the day I have that many grandchildren--she has13 so far!  What a comfort it is to know that all these children are being trained to love God and serve Him and homeschooling is playing a role in their training.

Sunydazy