How Big is Our God!!!!

What an amazing time we've been having at Mercy Abounds!  I hope that you will be able to take time to stop by the Mercy Abounds Face book Page and study with us!

This Wednesday in the Next Door Bible Study we talked about Jacob's return home in Genesis 33.  This chapter is rich with history and meaning!  Jacob was a fearful man though he knew God was with him.  He had just faced down an angry mob, invited Laban to kill anyone who had stolen his property.  His speech was bold and persuasive!  In fact, he wrestled with God and God changed his name to Israel (meaning Prince with God) which was no small thing! Yet, when it came to facing his past  he almost could not bear it.  I know about this fear-do you?  Jacob sent presents to appease his brother whom he had wronged.  He sent his family in groups so in case his brother was angry he might kill the "less important" first.  Oh, my!  God had plans for his entire family yet Jacob was deeming some less important than others.  We can certainly blow it when fear gets out of control!  For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isaiah 55:8.  Oh, God knows what He's doing and we can trust Him when He leads us!

There was a good thing that resulted from Jacob/Israel's fear, he said his first recorded prayer of repentance!  Up to this point he had acknowledged God, but had not realized who He was.  That is good news!  I love the Bible because it is SO REAL!  How many times have you heard someone say that they believed in God but they weren't sure if they died tonight that they would go to Heaven?  MANY times it is because they lack repentance.  True repentance comes when you realize and agree with God that you are not in control-that you are too small and imperfect to solve your own problems.  Then and only then will you voluntarily give your heart and will to the Savior you-WE- so desperately need, turn from your own ways and follow God.  Jacob gave his heart to God.  But even then his fear was strong.  Can you imagine what he would've experienced if he hadn't known God was with him?  Could he have gone home?  Would he have run?  Would you?

Thank God Jacob walked on in the strength of the Lord, scared or not, and the rest is history!  We will be studying "the rest" of that history and I hope you will join us!

Friday Up was awesome! We watched Indescribable by Louie Giglio which you can see on You Tube.  It is the most amazing description of God the Creator of the universe and if you've never realized how big God is- this is just the thing for you!  I watched the kids as they watched the unfolding of the glory of God!  At one point one of the girls' mouths dropped open in absolute awe and I couldn't help but giggle.  I watched the faces of my leaders.  Faye and Charlotte at different points were absolutely worshiping God is silent prayer.  It was POWERFUL!   God impressed on me several verses to share at the end, Numbers 24:14 and Matthew 24: 29-31.  That same powerful God who loves us so much will be coming back and this time He isn't coming as a Savior, but as a Judge.  I hope you know Him today.  If you don't, won't you consider this and email me or talk to a pastor or someone you know understands this truth?  No one knows the hour!  Do not be careless about this or put it off.  I wouldn't do this if I didn't believe and hadn't had this revelation myself!

I will leave you with that thought.  Pray for all our groups as the King's Kidz learn how to get along with their families through God's Word and the Up and Next Door groups continue on our present paths.  God bless you!

To God be the glory!
Jamie