God's Unfailing Love

12 That is why the Lord says, "Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13 Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead."
Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.

Too often God is pictured as vengeful in the Old Testament. But this last passage is from Joel. God has always wanted what is best for us. He has always wanted to bless us. It is only when we move in our own stubborn ways that we feel the heat get turned up.
God just wants our undivided attention.
He wants our whole heart.
With that comes an amazing life.
Definitely the way to go.
Turn to God.

He is;

Merciful,

Compassionate

Slow to anger,

Unfailing Love!

Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy in our lives.

Letters At Christmas

We are gearing up for our weekend Christmas presentation entitled "Letters At Christmas." It is a very different approach this year. It's not the big upscale musical with the huge cast and months of work. It is instead a collection of live music and drama. It goes from comedy to being serious about the life issues that are facing us today. Then it's tied up with a section where God is writing letters to us.

I'm looking forward to great results.

It will be powerful for all of the guests that are in attendance.

Christmas is a time when people feel obligated to go to church and I believe that this will impact their lives.

If you are in the area be sure to catch one of the 3 performances on December 19th and 20th.

The Grace Perspective

This was too good not to pass on.

It is from Steven Furtick.

Make sure you measure your circumstances from the baseline
of what you really deserve.

The reality of grace invalidates any claim to complaint you may stake.

The basis of all complaining is one of the following two erroneous beliefs:

1. I deserve something good I didn’t get.
2. I don’t deserve something bad I did get.

Complaining takes your perspective out of the realm of the unmerited, unlimited, inexhaustible grace of Jesus. The spirit of complaining squares it’s shoulders and demands what it deserves.

I promise you – you don’t want what you really deserve.

God loves you. He wants to bless you. He has every intention of being good to you.

But anything short of eternal torment and separation from God in hell is a blessing. No matter how unfair your current situation may be, it’s a lot better than what you deserve. Never forget that.

The next time you’re tempted to complain, check your perspective.
You should be in hell.

That ought to put your complaint in its place.

Convenience

With each advance in technology things get more convenient for us. Thirty years ago seeing a movie meant that you left the house, bought a ticket, and watched it at the theater. Wow have things changed.
You can sit on your couch and pull up a movie menu and watch something on demand. You are not tied to a specific time. It happens when you want it.
The internet changed how we receive information. No more waiting for the news or sports we just check the the right site for instant access.
Waiting on a friend having a baby?
Chances are you will get your up the minute report from Twitter or Facebook or various other social networking sites.
We seem to be a convenience driven society. Anything to make it faster and easier.
But with all the advances why are we so busy?
There is so much that will eat away at your time.
So much to do and it is always available.
Be careful how you use convenience because if you are not careful it will rule you.
Each time I read the story in Acts 24 I am saddened by it.
Govenor Felix and his wife are challenged by Paul's message. They are definitely being convicted of their sin. How do they respond?

25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. "Go away for now," he replied. "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again."

They decide to wait until it is more convenient.
How sad to be so close to the truth and yet walk away.
Be careful not to get lost in convenience.
We must continue to pursue Christ every day to become more like Him.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

Vision

We are quick to judge at times. I think it's a human fault that we can easily fall into. But judging is not for us. God looks at people through eyes of grace, potential, and possibilities. At any time the worst person is just a prayer away from salvation. Check out Manasseh. I'm sure we would have written him off.

In 2Chron 33 it says that he did what was evil in the Lord's site! He built pagan altars to all the gods. Then to top it off he practiced sorcery, witchcraft, and consulted mediums and psychics.

I would say that if it were left up to us he would have a huge lightning bolt up his butt and a quick trip to the hot place.

He was even warned through prophets but ignored them all.

OK. Enough is enough judge him and move on.

But God works in the realm of grace. And when Manasseh called out to Him for forgiveness God was there to restore him.

That's the beauty of grace.

We don't deserve it.

We can't earn it.

It is simply God's to give.

I for one am glad for grace today.

Lord help us to see people today through your eyes.

Why Worry, You're Not In Charge Anyway!

I was reading in Acts this morning and thought this was interesting. King Herod Agrippa began to persecute the Christians. He had James (Johns brother) arrested and killed. He saw that the Jewish people really liked that so he had Peter arrested as well. Peter ws in prison waiting for his execution the following morning.

So now he has something to worry about. Right?

I mean James has just been arrested and killed.

Peter knows that he is next.

Most of us would be freaking out!

Sleep would probably be the last thing on our minds. Not to mention that we are chained between two soldiers.

6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists.

But Peter was fast asleep. The angel appeared and filled the room with a bright light and still Peter slept. He had soldiers all around him but he still slept. The angel stood right in front of Peter and he didn't wake up.

He was at peace with his life.

He had learned that everything was in God's hands. He didn't control anything.

The angel had to strike him to wake him up. That's hilarious when you picture it. An amazing miracle took place.

I think it's time that we realize that we are not in control. Spend some time with God and commit your day to Him. Then relax and do all that is in front of you without worrying. As walk in the center of God's will there is nothing to worry about. And even if you do worry it won't change anything.

Don't worry. Just pray and walk with God. And be sure to take time to enjoy the ride!