I have been praying and asking God to help me with many things this New Year. I was so touched by a song we are to sing at church in the morning that I wanted to share it. The Word says that we are to worship "in spirit and in truth". John 4:24. Sometimes when we sing songs, when I sing songs, I wonder if we really get the true meaning. As I list the words to this faithful hymn, see what you think.
"I then shall live as one who's been forgiven. I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid. I know my name is clear before the Father. I am His child and I am not afraid. So greatly pardoned I will forgive my brother. The law of love I gladly will obey."
Already this song had my attention. I knew I'd sung it before, but the words had such new meaning today. Do we know our name is clear before the Father? Jesus paid our debts. We are forgiven and there is no condemnation for us. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". Romans 8:1 So, if we have unconfessed sin in our life, we repent, turn from it back to God. God doesn't recognize our sin historically-as in when we mess us He pulls our file and adds our sin up...NO! "As far as the east is from the west, [So] far has He removed our transgressions from us". Psalm 103:12. He chooses not to remember our sins. Thank You, God, for that! And did you know that if we know that we are loved we have no reason to be afraid? "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18. And since you know this depth of love and forgiveness, can you forgive someone who does not? Even if it hurts? Even if it's hard? May God give you, us, the strength to let go of unforgiveness, hurt and hate this year so that you may increase in love and Godliness.
"I then shall live as one who'd learned compassion. I've been so loved that I'll risk loving too. I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges. I'll dare to see anothers' point of view. And when relationships demand commitment, then I'll be there to care and follow through."
By this time I was in tears. Do I really know how to love? Do I put my heart out there for folks to stomp on for Christ's sake or do I love the ones it's "safe" to love? Do I love my enemies? Do we love our enemies? Their hatred of Christ sometimes makes me shy away from them because it is directed at me. Jesus told us, ""If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." John 15:18 In fact, "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." John 15:20. Can we dare to listen to them? Could we, could I, listen so that we can understand where their pain originates so that we can apply the balm of the Gospel to their wounded soul? Not as a spiritual band aid but to truly love them enough to reveal to them where their help will really come from? It is hard! It is uncomfortable! But Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life! If we love our enemies we will pray for their salvation and commit to it. We may even have to "endure" them as they "endure" us for the sake of Christ. I know I can be a pain though I try not to be but I try to be real. Let them see your witness lived out! Your walk speaks louder than your words at times.
"Your Kingdom come around and though and in me. Your power and glory, let them shine
through me. Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor and may Your living Kingdom come in me. The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor. And may You feed a hungry world through me."
We are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1. When we get out of the way, more of Christ can move in and out of us! When we are filled with Christ we are living out the power of Him. Christ in you is the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27. May we walk in a manner worthy of Him so as not to tarnish our testimony. Then people may receive our words as God softens their hearts to receive it. What an awesome thing to serve the Most High God and serve Him well. How incredible to be privileged to share the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. Lord, bring in the harvest!
Could you sing this song and mean it? My prayer is that this year you will. That we will.
To God be the Glory,
Jamie
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Fire Shut Up In Our Bones
There are several young men and a few young women that God has placed in my life who refresh my soul. In 2005 when God started Mercy Abounds with the very first Bible Study known as The Next Door Bible Study, He blessed me in ways I couldn't imagine. I had never been a teacher and somewhere around twenty young men and women attended this brand new Bible Study which began in my one bedroom apartment. Over the next 5 years I would have the privilege of teaching these wonderful teens. Some came to know Christ. Some grew in wisdom and depth of relationship with Christ and some left never to return. However, of those that remained, most are continuing in their walk in faith and most of them are ministering to others somehow. Many times they return to help me minister to those who are just beginning their encounter with Christ.
Jeremy, who attended the Bible study toward the end of it's days is teaching the Friday Night LIGHT boys. Greg comes back to help with his UTurn crew. ReNee is a faithful leader of the Friday Night LIGHT girls and has helped with the Mercy Abounds outreaches and Easter Egg Hunts. Marcus leads a Bible Study at college, makes evangelistic videos on you tube and is a beginning minister of college age students at Faithpoint Community Church. He comes back to help with Mercy Abounds outreaches and Easter Egg Hunts. Alec who attended toward the very end of the Bible Study is also making evangelistic videos on you tube and coming back to help with Mercy Abounds outreaches. Michael who attended was a faithful leader of the Saturday Bible Study we held in my home for our neighborhood and has faithfully helped with Mercy Abounds outreaches. Michael recently returned home from The World Race which is young missionaries who travel to 11 different countries in 11 months. I am so glad to have had the privilege of seeing these young men and women grow in their relationships with Christ.
I enjoy when we talk and they tell me, with such passion and excitement, what they are learning from the scriptures, especially if they are about to teach or witness. I love to hear them describe our God and His faithfulness, goodness and provision. I am encouraged when I hear them exhort others to stand up in their faith for God and to accept the challenges God gives us! My heart swells within my chest and my smile widens and I just want to shout praises to the Most High God when I hear them confirm decisions and see them plant their feet for Jesus! I know about the fire that is shut up in their bones and compels them to tell the world about You. I am so fortunate, so truly blessed to know this incredible group of young people. It is an honor to be called Aunt Jamie. It is an honor to get to participate in their lives.
I hope, with all my heart, that you will invest in some people around you, young or old! I pray you will share Jesus with them! You have no idea the blessing God holds for you if you will tell of His goodness and grace. I urge you to plant seeds of the Gospel. Some may never hear you. Some will never speak to you again. Some may even curse you for it. Oh, but some will hear. Some will believe. Some will even be saved. And some, I dearly hope, will be added to your quiver, empty or full, and you will feel as I do. Simply, completely, overwhelmingly loved and blessed and proud to be so. Thank God for His unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ who gives returns we do not deserve. Thank you, Jesus, for my kids. The ones I didn't mention also, who I am just as proud of, no matter what. I praise You for each of them and what they are to me. I love You, Jesus, for giving me what I did not deserve and what I can never repay. Thank You so much!
And thank You, Jesus, for my leaders. May You make us ever stronger and more committed to serving them so they may come to a saving knowledge of You. So they may grow strong in Your Word to be able to stand in the armor of God against this wicked age. Amen.
To God be every glory!
Jamie
Jeremy, who attended the Bible study toward the end of it's days is teaching the Friday Night LIGHT boys. Greg comes back to help with his UTurn crew. ReNee is a faithful leader of the Friday Night LIGHT girls and has helped with the Mercy Abounds outreaches and Easter Egg Hunts. Marcus leads a Bible Study at college, makes evangelistic videos on you tube and is a beginning minister of college age students at Faithpoint Community Church. He comes back to help with Mercy Abounds outreaches and Easter Egg Hunts. Alec who attended toward the very end of the Bible Study is also making evangelistic videos on you tube and coming back to help with Mercy Abounds outreaches. Michael who attended was a faithful leader of the Saturday Bible Study we held in my home for our neighborhood and has faithfully helped with Mercy Abounds outreaches. Michael recently returned home from The World Race which is young missionaries who travel to 11 different countries in 11 months. I am so glad to have had the privilege of seeing these young men and women grow in their relationships with Christ.
I enjoy when we talk and they tell me, with such passion and excitement, what they are learning from the scriptures, especially if they are about to teach or witness. I love to hear them describe our God and His faithfulness, goodness and provision. I am encouraged when I hear them exhort others to stand up in their faith for God and to accept the challenges God gives us! My heart swells within my chest and my smile widens and I just want to shout praises to the Most High God when I hear them confirm decisions and see them plant their feet for Jesus! I know about the fire that is shut up in their bones and compels them to tell the world about You. I am so fortunate, so truly blessed to know this incredible group of young people. It is an honor to be called Aunt Jamie. It is an honor to get to participate in their lives.
I hope, with all my heart, that you will invest in some people around you, young or old! I pray you will share Jesus with them! You have no idea the blessing God holds for you if you will tell of His goodness and grace. I urge you to plant seeds of the Gospel. Some may never hear you. Some will never speak to you again. Some may even curse you for it. Oh, but some will hear. Some will believe. Some will even be saved. And some, I dearly hope, will be added to your quiver, empty or full, and you will feel as I do. Simply, completely, overwhelmingly loved and blessed and proud to be so. Thank God for His unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ who gives returns we do not deserve. Thank you, Jesus, for my kids. The ones I didn't mention also, who I am just as proud of, no matter what. I praise You for each of them and what they are to me. I love You, Jesus, for giving me what I did not deserve and what I can never repay. Thank You so much!
And thank You, Jesus, for my leaders. May You make us ever stronger and more committed to serving them so they may come to a saving knowledge of You. So they may grow strong in Your Word to be able to stand in the armor of God against this wicked age. Amen.
To God be every glory!
Jamie
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Humbling Beginnings
It has been a while since I've blogged! Let me share some exciting news with you! Our ministry is ever changing and morphing under the hands of an Almighty God. Our Friday study will be seeing a few alterations. Please pray for us as we look for more men to add to this ministry. It is growing under the capable teaching of Jeremy Vinson who is instructing the young men and we have a steady handful of young women. The groups requested to remain split after one night when they found they could really share their hearts without the pressure of maintaining their "cool". Please pray for us as this is an at risk group for the most part. They are being drawn to God and some are either babes in the faith or about to make a decision. This is a crucial age to come to know Christ.
Our biggest surprise is the newest complex we have added. God has blessed us to be able to minister to a group of people from different areas of the world. In one complex we have families from Nepal, Burma, Ethiopia, Guatemala and other countries. The local vocational school has set up an English class in the office of the apartment complex some time ago because the need is so great. Our sending church, Green Acres Baptist and another church who has been ministering in the complex prior to our coming-Second Baptist Church, have joined forces to help these people.
Another problem was finding a curriculum that met our unique needs and that could be used at all of our other complexes. I mentioned our problem to Beth Greene, AWANA missionary for our area. She spoke with some of her team and discovered that AWANA International had a curriculum that might serve our purpose. It was a program that had been used in other countries that they thought might be just what we needed. It was perfect! My spirit agreed with the text as I read it. In fact as I looked at the title of one page I jotted a note to myself as a teaching point and when I finished the text, the last paragraph was almost identical to what I'd written to myself. I was sold! The first four books were bought and donated to us. The program is affordable and we will use it at each complex we teach in now and in the future. This is a brand new opportunity. This text has never been used in the states. It's a first for us all and an answered prayer for sure. Humble beginnings, precious ones!
Also, God has provided, through the Rehoboth Association an opportunity for us to provide The Jesus Film to each family in their own language for an amazing price. I am not sure that I can publish the price but suffice it to say He continues to show me that He can provide no matter if I have little or much. He intends for the flock to be fed and He is providing.
Not only are we continuing relationships with our other complexes but God has provided the wonderful opportunity for Mercy Abounds to offer one on one discipleship with several individuals. Mostly women who are experiencing trouble. However, He continues to supply opportunities to strengthen struggling new Christians across the board. We are blessed and busy!
In the meantime, we are preparing already for Easter. Yep! You heard right! It requires planning. We are hoping to meet soon with a gentleman from another local church who has spearheaded a 14 year ministry at his home church. Their church is similar in size to our own and the ministry dealt with many of the same issues we have identified in the past. Hopefully he will have some helpful tips for us. This meeting has been cancelled twice so far. Please pray that Clay can meet with us soon.
With all that being said, I would like to tell you that not only is God causing the ministry to morph but causing me to morph as well. Just in the past two days He has taught me volumes and is continuing to teach me. I'd like to share a bit of this with you.
I found through Spiritual Gifts Tests that my gifts are Evangelist, Pastor(Teacher)/Shepard and Mercy- all three very closely scored. God taught me over two days about the difference between evangelism and pastor/teaching/shepherding. I thought it was so interesting that I'd like to share it with you.
When someone is lost, unredeemed, a sinner or without a personal relationship with Christ, your role as an evangelist is to try to show them their need for a Savior by pointing out their sinful state, their lost condition, their ultimate destination as an unrepentant sinner on the day of judgement. You teach boldly and with authority. Some evangelists like Billy Graham speak softly. Some cry like Paul Washer. Many are passionate or speak loudly. However God inspires you to teach, you teach in a way as to snatch a soul from hell. You don't purposely hurt feelings but you don't spare them if that means you must disguise the truth. It is Life and death. Heaven or hell. There is a single purpose behind it. Lead them to salvation in Christ for they stand opposed to Him as His enemy and dead in their sins and trespasses.
However, once a person is saved they are not the same. Saved people are no longer sinners but Saints to a Holy God. Saints do sin but they are not sinners by nature because they have a new nature placed in them by God. Saints are new creations who tend to repeat old habits until they get used to their new status as a Saint who is heir to the riches of Christ. Saints can't possibly understand the implications of their new state all at once. It would overwhelm people. To quote my favorite Pastor, Dr. Johnny Ellison, "We are finite beings trying to wrap our minds around and infinite God."
Because of a Saints' new state we must approach them in a different manner. Do we keep from the Truth? Absolutely not! However, Romans 8:1 says, "[There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." We need to follow the example of Jesus here. Jesus would verbally rebuke the Pharisees in their falsehood calling them "whitewashed tombs" and vipers when they didn't understand what He said because they were in error. Yet, He would explain to the Disciples the very same parable or example so that they (Disciples) would understand. They were His children.
Once we become Saints we are no longer the enemy of God but the apple of His eye. The Holy Spirit takes up residence inside us and Jesus responds to us differently. Instead of our Judge, He becomes our Intercessor. So when we teach/pastor/shepard Saints we must teach them this way also. We need to recognize that sin coming from a Saint is no longer a sign of them being "not right with God" or "out of the will of God". If God has made someone a Saint, how can they no longer be a Saint? As Pastor Tony Evans says, "You don't hear of anyone calling a butterfly a converted caterpillar." He's right. There is no caterpillar left. And if God says He makes us new then we are new. We have a new nature. We may not know how to use it, but we have it.
A baby is born, most often, with fingers and toes but they don't know it. As they grow, you can watch them discovering how to use the body they were born into. They learn to smile, hold their head up, roll over, work their fingers and toes and then they learn to walk. Once they begin to walk, they fall for a while, and they are so precious. And we run to them to make sure they are alright at first. (God even designed us with padding in the spot they will most often land!) Then we wait a while longer and see if they can recover themselves. Then, before you know it, they are running! But it takes time for them to learn. It takes months and years before their legs will hold them steadily. We can expect no more of new Christians.
We need to instruct, explain, nurture, exhort and sometimes rebuke those who are in Christ. We do it with love- meaning not accusing and condemning someone of "not being right" or "being out of the will of God." This means you recognize that for some reason this person does not understand completely the truth of God and how it applies to that area of their life. And that doesn't mean that they haven't prayed about it or asked the right questions of God. It may mean that for reasons sometimes known only to God they are in a place where God can finally heal this wound or straighten this path. Time does not exist for God but for us. "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day [is] as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8. We cannot limit an individual to fit our time frame for their life. And if we are deliberately and defiantly disobedient, God knows how to apply truth to us in a different manner, and there's nothing like a spiritual spanking from the Lord. His Word contains clear instructions for those who truly are out of the will of God and stand in opposition to Him as a Saint. Paul's letters to Timothy are inspired doctrine and deal with pastoring.
Everyone is in a different place in their walk, inspired in different ways and learning in different ways. God calls His Saints sheep. They need constant care. A pastor's job is to patiently tend the flock. Sheep never get smarter. We do. We may repeat the same mistakes at times but our ability to overcome our "sheepish" state doesn't rest in our ability. Our ability to overcome rests in our ultimate Shepard. God is faithful. Phillipians 1:6, "...He who has begun a good work in you will complete [it] until the day of Jesus Christ."
Jesus asked Peter to feed His sheep. And so you feed the sheep. The result of that food is between the individual and God Almighty and Merciful.
Grace and peace to you! Please pray for us and our ministry and be sure to let us know how we can pray for you.
To God be the glory!
Jamie
Our biggest surprise is the newest complex we have added. God has blessed us to be able to minister to a group of people from different areas of the world. In one complex we have families from Nepal, Burma, Ethiopia, Guatemala and other countries. The local vocational school has set up an English class in the office of the apartment complex some time ago because the need is so great. Our sending church, Green Acres Baptist and another church who has been ministering in the complex prior to our coming-Second Baptist Church, have joined forces to help these people.
Another problem was finding a curriculum that met our unique needs and that could be used at all of our other complexes. I mentioned our problem to Beth Greene, AWANA missionary for our area. She spoke with some of her team and discovered that AWANA International had a curriculum that might serve our purpose. It was a program that had been used in other countries that they thought might be just what we needed. It was perfect! My spirit agreed with the text as I read it. In fact as I looked at the title of one page I jotted a note to myself as a teaching point and when I finished the text, the last paragraph was almost identical to what I'd written to myself. I was sold! The first four books were bought and donated to us. The program is affordable and we will use it at each complex we teach in now and in the future. This is a brand new opportunity. This text has never been used in the states. It's a first for us all and an answered prayer for sure. Humble beginnings, precious ones!
Also, God has provided, through the Rehoboth Association an opportunity for us to provide The Jesus Film to each family in their own language for an amazing price. I am not sure that I can publish the price but suffice it to say He continues to show me that He can provide no matter if I have little or much. He intends for the flock to be fed and He is providing.
Not only are we continuing relationships with our other complexes but God has provided the wonderful opportunity for Mercy Abounds to offer one on one discipleship with several individuals. Mostly women who are experiencing trouble. However, He continues to supply opportunities to strengthen struggling new Christians across the board. We are blessed and busy!
In the meantime, we are preparing already for Easter. Yep! You heard right! It requires planning. We are hoping to meet soon with a gentleman from another local church who has spearheaded a 14 year ministry at his home church. Their church is similar in size to our own and the ministry dealt with many of the same issues we have identified in the past. Hopefully he will have some helpful tips for us. This meeting has been cancelled twice so far. Please pray that Clay can meet with us soon.
With all that being said, I would like to tell you that not only is God causing the ministry to morph but causing me to morph as well. Just in the past two days He has taught me volumes and is continuing to teach me. I'd like to share a bit of this with you.
I found through Spiritual Gifts Tests that my gifts are Evangelist, Pastor(Teacher)/Shepard and Mercy- all three very closely scored. God taught me over two days about the difference between evangelism and pastor/teaching/shepherding. I thought it was so interesting that I'd like to share it with you.
When someone is lost, unredeemed, a sinner or without a personal relationship with Christ, your role as an evangelist is to try to show them their need for a Savior by pointing out their sinful state, their lost condition, their ultimate destination as an unrepentant sinner on the day of judgement. You teach boldly and with authority. Some evangelists like Billy Graham speak softly. Some cry like Paul Washer. Many are passionate or speak loudly. However God inspires you to teach, you teach in a way as to snatch a soul from hell. You don't purposely hurt feelings but you don't spare them if that means you must disguise the truth. It is Life and death. Heaven or hell. There is a single purpose behind it. Lead them to salvation in Christ for they stand opposed to Him as His enemy and dead in their sins and trespasses.
However, once a person is saved they are not the same. Saved people are no longer sinners but Saints to a Holy God. Saints do sin but they are not sinners by nature because they have a new nature placed in them by God. Saints are new creations who tend to repeat old habits until they get used to their new status as a Saint who is heir to the riches of Christ. Saints can't possibly understand the implications of their new state all at once. It would overwhelm people. To quote my favorite Pastor, Dr. Johnny Ellison, "We are finite beings trying to wrap our minds around and infinite God."
Because of a Saints' new state we must approach them in a different manner. Do we keep from the Truth? Absolutely not! However, Romans 8:1 says, "[There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." We need to follow the example of Jesus here. Jesus would verbally rebuke the Pharisees in their falsehood calling them "whitewashed tombs" and vipers when they didn't understand what He said because they were in error. Yet, He would explain to the Disciples the very same parable or example so that they (Disciples) would understand. They were His children.
Once we become Saints we are no longer the enemy of God but the apple of His eye. The Holy Spirit takes up residence inside us and Jesus responds to us differently. Instead of our Judge, He becomes our Intercessor. So when we teach/pastor/shepard Saints we must teach them this way also. We need to recognize that sin coming from a Saint is no longer a sign of them being "not right with God" or "out of the will of God". If God has made someone a Saint, how can they no longer be a Saint? As Pastor Tony Evans says, "You don't hear of anyone calling a butterfly a converted caterpillar." He's right. There is no caterpillar left. And if God says He makes us new then we are new. We have a new nature. We may not know how to use it, but we have it.
A baby is born, most often, with fingers and toes but they don't know it. As they grow, you can watch them discovering how to use the body they were born into. They learn to smile, hold their head up, roll over, work their fingers and toes and then they learn to walk. Once they begin to walk, they fall for a while, and they are so precious. And we run to them to make sure they are alright at first. (God even designed us with padding in the spot they will most often land!) Then we wait a while longer and see if they can recover themselves. Then, before you know it, they are running! But it takes time for them to learn. It takes months and years before their legs will hold them steadily. We can expect no more of new Christians.
We need to instruct, explain, nurture, exhort and sometimes rebuke those who are in Christ. We do it with love- meaning not accusing and condemning someone of "not being right" or "being out of the will of God." This means you recognize that for some reason this person does not understand completely the truth of God and how it applies to that area of their life. And that doesn't mean that they haven't prayed about it or asked the right questions of God. It may mean that for reasons sometimes known only to God they are in a place where God can finally heal this wound or straighten this path. Time does not exist for God but for us. "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day [is] as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8. We cannot limit an individual to fit our time frame for their life. And if we are deliberately and defiantly disobedient, God knows how to apply truth to us in a different manner, and there's nothing like a spiritual spanking from the Lord. His Word contains clear instructions for those who truly are out of the will of God and stand in opposition to Him as a Saint. Paul's letters to Timothy are inspired doctrine and deal with pastoring.
Everyone is in a different place in their walk, inspired in different ways and learning in different ways. God calls His Saints sheep. They need constant care. A pastor's job is to patiently tend the flock. Sheep never get smarter. We do. We may repeat the same mistakes at times but our ability to overcome our "sheepish" state doesn't rest in our ability. Our ability to overcome rests in our ultimate Shepard. God is faithful. Phillipians 1:6, "...He who has begun a good work in you will complete [it] until the day of Jesus Christ."
Jesus asked Peter to feed His sheep. And so you feed the sheep. The result of that food is between the individual and God Almighty and Merciful.
Grace and peace to you! Please pray for us and our ministry and be sure to let us know how we can pray for you.
To God be the glory!
Jamie
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Price
God knows how to teach His children. He knows. He has spoken to me through many things in my life. Through creation He comforts me with His beauty. Through animals He teaches me about obedience, unconditional love and being what we were meant to be. But sometimes God has to teach me about sin. Most often He teaches me about sin through people.
There are some things in this life we do well and other things we do not do well. Sick children bring me to a crying heap at His feet. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death..." People dance around this verse daily not realizing the weight of it. God means what He says. Today I met a dying child who is dying from the wages of sin. But not his own. You see, this child was born into the results of sin of another which caused him to be so. He will most certainly die from it and soon.
I saw the effect this had on everyone around. You see, while we choose our sin we do not get to choose the consequences. Sin is LIFE ALTERING! Adam and Eve had no idea the Pandora's Box they were about to open. Neither do we when we sin. Sin leaves a legacy. It leaves an inheritance of death and pain and misery. Death to life as we knew it. Death to relationships. Death to opportunities. Death to a future-physical and spiritual. The wages of sin is death.
I cannot tell you the weight of sadness that threatened to overwhelm me as I saw the toll this had taken on so many lives. I know it was only a small taste of what God feels as He looks on a world of hurting people. I wanted to take the pain away, but I am not enough! And I cannot erase what has been done.
BUT GOD, I love those words, can make beauty from ashes. He can make good from evil and yes, He can make life from death. You see, while I saw incredible pain, I also saw a root of hope rising from the pain and I knew my Lord was at work. He has been at work since the first sin. He made clothes for Adam and Eve from the skin of an animal when their efforts to cover their sin was futile. The first blood sacrifice. He made a way for sinners to be sinless through His Son's righteousness and He made a way from Life to death through the death of His own Son who paid the wages of sin for me. For us. He, the Innocent, who knew no sin died for our sins just as this child was dying for someone else' sin.
I do not understand it. I watch it everyday and I don't know how God could love us so much to watch His Son suffer. It is a hard thing to bear. It is life changing. Death is the enemy of God unless you know the One who Lives. Then your death has been conquered and you will live forever. There is a Savior!
The entire verse reads, "For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." It is a free gift. It is available to ALL who will take it for we ALL need it. "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. The truth is ALL of us have sinned and we ourselves and possibly many around us will die for our own sin. It started with Adam and Eve, and it continues today.
But Jesus made a way to end the effects of sin. When He was on the cross just before He gave up His spirit He said, "It is finished." Teleo-Blue Letter Bible defines the word as such:
1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end
a) passed, finished
2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.)
a) with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command
b) with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfil
3) to pay
a) of tribute
Christ died, GAVE up His spirit to complete what He said He would do, what God proclaimed He would do at that first sin," And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." Genesis 3:15. God had a plan to deal with sin. That plan has not changed. While I may want to take away the pain of sin, I cannot. Even if I offered to die in this child's place I could not save one soul. But Jesus' sacrifice was perfect and just what was required. You can't be punished again for what has been forgiven. This gift is forever, eternal.
Please understand, your sin will be the death of you and most likely others. Repent from your sin-turn to Jesus and away from the very thing that is killing you. His blood will cover your sin and you will surely be forgiven. Every drop of His spilled blood sets thousands of captives free. There was enough for you. Stop struggling! Take the free gift of God-Life through Jesus Christ today.
"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen." Romans 16:20.
To God be the glory,
Jamie
There are some things in this life we do well and other things we do not do well. Sick children bring me to a crying heap at His feet. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death..." People dance around this verse daily not realizing the weight of it. God means what He says. Today I met a dying child who is dying from the wages of sin. But not his own. You see, this child was born into the results of sin of another which caused him to be so. He will most certainly die from it and soon.
I saw the effect this had on everyone around. You see, while we choose our sin we do not get to choose the consequences. Sin is LIFE ALTERING! Adam and Eve had no idea the Pandora's Box they were about to open. Neither do we when we sin. Sin leaves a legacy. It leaves an inheritance of death and pain and misery. Death to life as we knew it. Death to relationships. Death to opportunities. Death to a future-physical and spiritual. The wages of sin is death.
I cannot tell you the weight of sadness that threatened to overwhelm me as I saw the toll this had taken on so many lives. I know it was only a small taste of what God feels as He looks on a world of hurting people. I wanted to take the pain away, but I am not enough! And I cannot erase what has been done.
BUT GOD, I love those words, can make beauty from ashes. He can make good from evil and yes, He can make life from death. You see, while I saw incredible pain, I also saw a root of hope rising from the pain and I knew my Lord was at work. He has been at work since the first sin. He made clothes for Adam and Eve from the skin of an animal when their efforts to cover their sin was futile. The first blood sacrifice. He made a way for sinners to be sinless through His Son's righteousness and He made a way from Life to death through the death of His own Son who paid the wages of sin for me. For us. He, the Innocent, who knew no sin died for our sins just as this child was dying for someone else' sin.
I do not understand it. I watch it everyday and I don't know how God could love us so much to watch His Son suffer. It is a hard thing to bear. It is life changing. Death is the enemy of God unless you know the One who Lives. Then your death has been conquered and you will live forever. There is a Savior!
The entire verse reads, "For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." It is a free gift. It is available to ALL who will take it for we ALL need it. "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. The truth is ALL of us have sinned and we ourselves and possibly many around us will die for our own sin. It started with Adam and Eve, and it continues today.
But Jesus made a way to end the effects of sin. When He was on the cross just before He gave up His spirit He said, "It is finished." Teleo-Blue Letter Bible defines the word as such:
1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end
a) passed, finished
2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.)
a) with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command
b) with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfil
3) to pay
a) of tribute
Christ died, GAVE up His spirit to complete what He said He would do, what God proclaimed He would do at that first sin," And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." Genesis 3:15. God had a plan to deal with sin. That plan has not changed. While I may want to take away the pain of sin, I cannot. Even if I offered to die in this child's place I could not save one soul. But Jesus' sacrifice was perfect and just what was required. You can't be punished again for what has been forgiven. This gift is forever, eternal.
Please understand, your sin will be the death of you and most likely others. Repent from your sin-turn to Jesus and away from the very thing that is killing you. His blood will cover your sin and you will surely be forgiven. Every drop of His spilled blood sets thousands of captives free. There was enough for you. Stop struggling! Take the free gift of God-Life through Jesus Christ today.
"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen." Romans 16:20.
To God be the glory,
Jamie
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Great Commission vs Opposition
Today has begun with an interesting turn of events. We showed up at the church, prayed up for the kids, packed up the things needed for the Backyard Bible Clubs, and loaded up the cars and headed up to the apartment complex we were scheduled to be with.
We stepped out of the cars and the apartment manager, a woman who claims Jesus as her Savior, met us at the curb. The posters we placed were gone. The Fair Housing representative have been contacted from a complaintant. Not only were we not allowed to come in, the office manager is now under fire and has been warned about saying, "Thank You, Jesus" or "in Jesus' Name" while on the premises. This dear lady had gone shopping and bought snacks for the kids. I don't know if you know much about the apartment community, but a manager caring like this does not happen often.
I cried on the way back to the church. I know there are kids there who were expecting us to come and who were upset because they didn't get to "Party With Jesus" like the flyers said. One man said that his family had come to the Easter Egg Hunt outreach. The kids were excited to see the church van and now we cannot have a Bible Club there. When we returned to the church, we prayed for those kids and for the apartment manager and for God to remove the roadblocks to the gospel in that neighborhood.
Because God loves me, a good friend and fellow ministry leader for Mercy Abounds, Jeremy Vinson, reminded me of a certain verse to meditate on. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12 I will tell you, we didn't leave the church without a plan.
I respectfully ask that you share this blog with your prayer warriors and those you know with certainty care about the salvation of these children. We need God to protect us as we go into these neighborhoods and we need Him to stop the opposition or tell us how to get around it. We also need God to strengthen the Brethren so that we stand in the armor of God and get ready for this fight. Pray that they will not be lukewarm but on fire for God and passionate for winning the souls of these kids and their families.
Tomorrow night is our weekly outreach for the church. While we are at another apartment complex, the church and a representative from Mercy Abounds will be going to this same complex we weren't allowed to go to and personally apologize for not being able to keep our word. The youth will take with them New Testaments that would've been given away to those who would've participated. Inside each New Testament is contact information on our church Green Acres Baptist and this ministry, Mercy Abounds. If anyone volunteers to let us come to thier home to do the club, we can.
We not only have the permission of Christ to go into all the world but a command to do so. Despite the opposition, we are to carry out the Great Commission. There are lives literally depending on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray for us as we endeavor to carry out that command and the calling Christ has given this ministry.
Everywhere I look lately I become aware of the apartment complexes and neighborhoods and I think, "There are kids there who don't know Christ." It is a heavy burden but a welcome one. Remember also while we can't get in, neither can the children get out. I was reminded of Paul and Silas singing in the basement of the prison and how God broke into that place fulfilling His promise to inhabit the praise of His people. Faye and I prayed that while we sang His praises at this complex with these children that He would do the same thing again. Won't you pray with us? Please share this blog with those you know will pray.
"For greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city..." Chris Tomlin "God of This City". http://youtu.be/c6iAlnKc20Y
To God be the Glory,
Jamie
We stepped out of the cars and the apartment manager, a woman who claims Jesus as her Savior, met us at the curb. The posters we placed were gone. The Fair Housing representative have been contacted from a complaintant. Not only were we not allowed to come in, the office manager is now under fire and has been warned about saying, "Thank You, Jesus" or "in Jesus' Name" while on the premises. This dear lady had gone shopping and bought snacks for the kids. I don't know if you know much about the apartment community, but a manager caring like this does not happen often.
I cried on the way back to the church. I know there are kids there who were expecting us to come and who were upset because they didn't get to "Party With Jesus" like the flyers said. One man said that his family had come to the Easter Egg Hunt outreach. The kids were excited to see the church van and now we cannot have a Bible Club there. When we returned to the church, we prayed for those kids and for the apartment manager and for God to remove the roadblocks to the gospel in that neighborhood.
Because God loves me, a good friend and fellow ministry leader for Mercy Abounds, Jeremy Vinson, reminded me of a certain verse to meditate on. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12 I will tell you, we didn't leave the church without a plan.
I respectfully ask that you share this blog with your prayer warriors and those you know with certainty care about the salvation of these children. We need God to protect us as we go into these neighborhoods and we need Him to stop the opposition or tell us how to get around it. We also need God to strengthen the Brethren so that we stand in the armor of God and get ready for this fight. Pray that they will not be lukewarm but on fire for God and passionate for winning the souls of these kids and their families.
Tomorrow night is our weekly outreach for the church. While we are at another apartment complex, the church and a representative from Mercy Abounds will be going to this same complex we weren't allowed to go to and personally apologize for not being able to keep our word. The youth will take with them New Testaments that would've been given away to those who would've participated. Inside each New Testament is contact information on our church Green Acres Baptist and this ministry, Mercy Abounds. If anyone volunteers to let us come to thier home to do the club, we can.
We not only have the permission of Christ to go into all the world but a command to do so. Despite the opposition, we are to carry out the Great Commission. There are lives literally depending on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray for us as we endeavor to carry out that command and the calling Christ has given this ministry.
Everywhere I look lately I become aware of the apartment complexes and neighborhoods and I think, "There are kids there who don't know Christ." It is a heavy burden but a welcome one. Remember also while we can't get in, neither can the children get out. I was reminded of Paul and Silas singing in the basement of the prison and how God broke into that place fulfilling His promise to inhabit the praise of His people. Faye and I prayed that while we sang His praises at this complex with these children that He would do the same thing again. Won't you pray with us? Please share this blog with those you know will pray.
"For greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city..." Chris Tomlin "God of This City". http://youtu.be/c6iAlnKc20Y
To God be the Glory,
Jamie
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Taking It To The Street
I have been impressed today at the glimpse of an old acquaintance who once was lost like me. It was wonderful to be able to peek into how he is serving the Lord and to see that God laid very similar burdens on my heart and his. Faye, one of our leaders, read with me and smiled as she remembered our conversation of the vision God gave me for this particular ministry. She was with me as God was unfolding His plan for us. Memories! Memories and passion rekindled by watching another's walk.
One of the saints of old that encourages me the most was Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus. He had such a bold testimony and he lived out what he spoke. He encouraged and exhorted saints to believe Jesus and to live through faith. In 1 Corinthians 4:16 and 11:1 Paul tells others to imitate him as he imitated Christ. Is your witness that strong? Could you boldly tell others that you are on the mark? Oh, precious ones, that we would have that kind of faith! Didn't Christ command us to go into all the world and spread the Gospel? He did, indeed! But, most of us don't go. We let others go in our place. I did exactly that for many years but after eighteen years of self service God called me to work for Him. It is one of the hardest but most rewarding jobs. I am most often the reason the work is hard for my faith is not yet perfect.
I have begun to realize that while Paul was and is one of my favorite examples, he is just that, an example. You see, Paul is dead. He can no longer evangelize the masses. He is in Heaven with Christ. However, I am not. You are not. Christ is passing on the job of evangelism to those of us with earthly bodies. That should be a "no-brainer" but it took me a while to catch on. Are you there yet?
Very soon, within the next two weeks, Mercy Abounds will again set out to reach kids with the Gospel of Christ. We are targeting six neighborhoods this attempt. We do not believe in the "love 'em and leave 'em" mentality of some ministries. In fact, we would rather not set out to tell a neighborhood about Jesus without follow up ministry. We want to commit to service to these areas. We have in place the Mailbox Clubs to assist in keeping up with these children, as well as personal contacts that will continue. As we have in the past, we will also offer Men's and Women's Bible Studies.
Please pray now that God will open the hearts and minds of the children and the families. Pray that there will be a continued interest and that we can build relationships with these families. Pray that they will allow us to teach the whole of the Gospel and that they would come to know Christ. It is for His glory and honor that we share the Good News!
We will be accepting donations of snacks, drinks, cups, etc. We will be glad for some volunteered time! Sharlene at Green Acres Baptist and I will be taking a list for volunteers. I will be glad to go over the CEF materials with you and help you choose a place to serve. We plan to have two groups at two different neighborhoods each time. We will be going into some rough places, especially the first groups. These kids and families need us the most. Ministry is not for the faint of heart! Come on and walk out the Great Commission with us!
To God be the glory!
Jamie
One of the saints of old that encourages me the most was Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus. He had such a bold testimony and he lived out what he spoke. He encouraged and exhorted saints to believe Jesus and to live through faith. In 1 Corinthians 4:16 and 11:1 Paul tells others to imitate him as he imitated Christ. Is your witness that strong? Could you boldly tell others that you are on the mark? Oh, precious ones, that we would have that kind of faith! Didn't Christ command us to go into all the world and spread the Gospel? He did, indeed! But, most of us don't go. We let others go in our place. I did exactly that for many years but after eighteen years of self service God called me to work for Him. It is one of the hardest but most rewarding jobs. I am most often the reason the work is hard for my faith is not yet perfect.
I have begun to realize that while Paul was and is one of my favorite examples, he is just that, an example. You see, Paul is dead. He can no longer evangelize the masses. He is in Heaven with Christ. However, I am not. You are not. Christ is passing on the job of evangelism to those of us with earthly bodies. That should be a "no-brainer" but it took me a while to catch on. Are you there yet?
Very soon, within the next two weeks, Mercy Abounds will again set out to reach kids with the Gospel of Christ. We are targeting six neighborhoods this attempt. We do not believe in the "love 'em and leave 'em" mentality of some ministries. In fact, we would rather not set out to tell a neighborhood about Jesus without follow up ministry. We want to commit to service to these areas. We have in place the Mailbox Clubs to assist in keeping up with these children, as well as personal contacts that will continue. As we have in the past, we will also offer Men's and Women's Bible Studies.
Please pray now that God will open the hearts and minds of the children and the families. Pray that there will be a continued interest and that we can build relationships with these families. Pray that they will allow us to teach the whole of the Gospel and that they would come to know Christ. It is for His glory and honor that we share the Good News!
We will be accepting donations of snacks, drinks, cups, etc. We will be glad for some volunteered time! Sharlene at Green Acres Baptist and I will be taking a list for volunteers. I will be glad to go over the CEF materials with you and help you choose a place to serve. We plan to have two groups at two different neighborhoods each time. We will be going into some rough places, especially the first groups. These kids and families need us the most. Ministry is not for the faint of heart! Come on and walk out the Great Commission with us!
To God be the glory!
Jamie
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Resurrection of the Heart
So many wonderful things have been happening lately. At my church we have had the opportunity to see many who believed they were saved come to a real saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. From Grandpas to children God has revealed Himself to these who were decieved. The scriptures make it plain that , "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" Matt 24:24 and Mark 13:22 warn of this. These false prophets exist now, Adrian Rodgers used to call them "Joy Boys".
The scriptures also tell of a day when works are judged and many stand in line to hear disheartening news." Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" Matthew 7:21-23. The scriptures are very clear that some will believe that they are saved and find out too late that they never had a relationship with Christ. If you profess to be a Christian and you do not know if you died tonight if you would actually be in Heaven with Christ then you want to settle the matter for it is not settled. I did that long ago and I have no doubt that I will go to Heaven when I die. While that may seem arrogant to some, those who truly love the Lord and have that relationship also rest in that same peace. You can have that peace with the assurance of salvation.
Yesterday was the Third Annual Mercy Abounds/Green Acres Baptist Church Easter Egg Hunt Outreach. All tradition aside, it was an outreach. We heard from Bobby Hutchinson, a Mercy Abounds Up Bible Study Leader as he shared his testimony with the crowd of how six years ago he thought he was saved, then finally came to know Christ. Each child heard the Easter Story told for their age group. Every child, hopefully, who attended was given a bag with a New Testament and Bible tract and toys. People walked through the crowd and shared the gospel. Some 7 or more people were saved yesterday. Seven people, if they truly trusted in Christ, will never see hell and will abide with Christ forever once their walk here is done. Thank God!
I think about all the work that went into this event, the hours of work, the expense, the lost sleep, the putting aside of our lives to pull this off. So what did it cost us? Nothing! We got to do these things to share in the suffering of Christ. What did it cost for these lives? The precious blood of Christ. The same suffering on the Cross that saved me and countless others-the one work of the One who came to die for all. The blood of Christ and His rising from the grave. His overcoming death and defeating Satan. His suffering is all that counts. We were invited into the garden to watch while He prayed, to prepare the way for the Christ. There is no comparison. There is none like Him. How precious a gift to be given to share in the ministry with the Master.
We at Mercy Abounds, Green Acres Baptist Church, U Turn Ministries and everyone else involved are thrilled that Jesus saves. We are proud to serve you in His Name. If you were one of the ones who found redemption through Christ at this outreach, we are so happy for you. If you want to know more about how you can grow in that relationship or how to have a personal relationship with Christ, please use the contact numbers at the end of this blog to do so.
May you enjoy your salvation, live in the peace of Christ and make disciples of many!
To God be the glory!
Jamie
Green Acres Baptist
http://www.greenacresbc.com/
478-923-1995
901 Elberta Rd. WR, GA 31093
Mercy Abounds
http://www.mercyabounds.blogspot.com/
478-918-3887
Find us on Facebook- Mercy Abounds page
The scriptures also tell of a day when works are judged and many stand in line to hear disheartening news." Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" Matthew 7:21-23. The scriptures are very clear that some will believe that they are saved and find out too late that they never had a relationship with Christ. If you profess to be a Christian and you do not know if you died tonight if you would actually be in Heaven with Christ then you want to settle the matter for it is not settled. I did that long ago and I have no doubt that I will go to Heaven when I die. While that may seem arrogant to some, those who truly love the Lord and have that relationship also rest in that same peace. You can have that peace with the assurance of salvation.
Yesterday was the Third Annual Mercy Abounds/Green Acres Baptist Church Easter Egg Hunt Outreach. All tradition aside, it was an outreach. We heard from Bobby Hutchinson, a Mercy Abounds Up Bible Study Leader as he shared his testimony with the crowd of how six years ago he thought he was saved, then finally came to know Christ. Each child heard the Easter Story told for their age group. Every child, hopefully, who attended was given a bag with a New Testament and Bible tract and toys. People walked through the crowd and shared the gospel. Some 7 or more people were saved yesterday. Seven people, if they truly trusted in Christ, will never see hell and will abide with Christ forever once their walk here is done. Thank God!
I think about all the work that went into this event, the hours of work, the expense, the lost sleep, the putting aside of our lives to pull this off. So what did it cost us? Nothing! We got to do these things to share in the suffering of Christ. What did it cost for these lives? The precious blood of Christ. The same suffering on the Cross that saved me and countless others-the one work of the One who came to die for all. The blood of Christ and His rising from the grave. His overcoming death and defeating Satan. His suffering is all that counts. We were invited into the garden to watch while He prayed, to prepare the way for the Christ. There is no comparison. There is none like Him. How precious a gift to be given to share in the ministry with the Master.
We at Mercy Abounds, Green Acres Baptist Church, U Turn Ministries and everyone else involved are thrilled that Jesus saves. We are proud to serve you in His Name. If you were one of the ones who found redemption through Christ at this outreach, we are so happy for you. If you want to know more about how you can grow in that relationship or how to have a personal relationship with Christ, please use the contact numbers at the end of this blog to do so.
May you enjoy your salvation, live in the peace of Christ and make disciples of many!
To God be the glory!
Jamie
Green Acres Baptist
http://www.greenacresbc.com/
478-923-1995
901 Elberta Rd. WR, GA 31093
Mercy Abounds
http://www.mercyabounds.blogspot.com/
478-918-3887
Find us on Facebook- Mercy Abounds page
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Mercy, New Year!
How fortunate we are to just wake up this morning as we normally do and begin an entire New Year! It required nothing of us but the turning of a page on the calendar or maybe adjusting the year on our watches or phones, though most are automatic.
God's Word tells us that His mercy is new every morning and that His mercy endures forever. It requires nothing of us as well for God is faithful when we are not. Just as the time He created marches on unhindered by our decisions and plans, so His mercy does, also.
We set our life by time. We plan schedules. We rise and lie down according to time. We go to school and work. We meet and eat on some type of plan according to time. It is a created thing to allow us to organize our lives and to recognize our limits.
Still somehow we just can't make it! Some people, myself included, tend to be late because we stretch the limit of the minute. However, those of us who are very punctual will occasionally be late, maybe due to illness or traffic. The other extreme are people completely incapacitated trying to live a schedule to the point that it debilitates them. All of these seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks , months and years and we cannot get it right! We couldn't have more structure and yet, we cannot naturally follow the order God created. Why? We weren't made to do it alone.
Some of you may think that is unfair or cruel. Some may think that God sets us up to fail. Do training wheels on a bike set a child up to fail? No indeed! They are for safety for an unstable child on a moving object for stabilization and for building confidence. But nothing, NOTHING takes the place of Mom or Dad standing behind the child shouting instructions or running along beside this child cheering them on. Remember? I do! Would you say that was cruel?
This world is a moving target. As long as we live there will always be something new to encounter, something we aren't ready for. Age does not guarantee maturity in all areas of life. How do you maturely handle the loss of a parent or child? How does age teach you to deal with the increasing hostility of the world? It does not. But an encounter with the mercy that is new every morning and that endures forever-THAT teaches, matures, stabilizes, and gives confidence.
Grace is God giving you what you don't deserve. Mercy is God not giving you what you deserve. We need both! They go hand in hand. But, I remember mercy. Oh, how God teaches me through mercy!
When I have messed up big, whether it was a BAD decision or a mistake (and there are very few real mistakes), I remember mercy.
Mercy matures me in a way nothing else can and makes me wiser. Having not received a just punishment makes me appreciate forgiveness. To receive mercy makes you appreciate grace. You may think in a worldly manner that we "get away" with certain things. NOT SO! "...be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 22:33. If God was not all-knowing or Omniscient, He would not be God at all. Something about God overlooking a blatant wrong makes me mature, wise and even strong.
Mercy teaches me how to handle loss. God gives and takes away. He knows the length of all the lives He created. He Alone begins and ends as the Author and Finisher of our faith. How can I call the One who gave me mercy, who held back punishment from me, unfair and unjust because a life ends? Though a life may end in tragedy-did not His own Son die a violent death at the hand of murderers and those who falsely accused Him and blasphemed God? He could've stopped that crucifixion, too. He did not. There was purpose in the death. We are all born to die one day. Jesus was our example in even that violent death. Yet He provided for His family by giving His mother to John. He gave mercy to a thief being put to death with Him. He quoted scripture and fulfilled scripture from the very instrument of His death, the Cross. His violent death WAS my mercy!
Mercy teaches me to deal with hostility. By being the recipient of mercy and then, grace, I have learned to be more lenient with those who are blind to their toxic behavior and unkind by choice. This area is still a work in progress for me. Had I never received mercy, I wouldn't understand forgiveness and I would've had no example. I am reminded daily of what Jesus did for me. If He could die to forgive my sins, I can overlook the sin of others. Sometimes it is very hard and I don't get it right the first time. But, I try.
Solomon learned about mercy and grace and left us a wonderful example in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under Heaven:
A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, And a time to heal; time to break down, And a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
A time to tear, And a time to sow; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace."
Make the most of your time and remember, God's mercy is new every morning!
Please continue to pray for Mercy Abounds this New Year! May God bless you and to God be the glory!
Jamie
God's Word tells us that His mercy is new every morning and that His mercy endures forever. It requires nothing of us as well for God is faithful when we are not. Just as the time He created marches on unhindered by our decisions and plans, so His mercy does, also.
We set our life by time. We plan schedules. We rise and lie down according to time. We go to school and work. We meet and eat on some type of plan according to time. It is a created thing to allow us to organize our lives and to recognize our limits.
Still somehow we just can't make it! Some people, myself included, tend to be late because we stretch the limit of the minute. However, those of us who are very punctual will occasionally be late, maybe due to illness or traffic. The other extreme are people completely incapacitated trying to live a schedule to the point that it debilitates them. All of these seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks , months and years and we cannot get it right! We couldn't have more structure and yet, we cannot naturally follow the order God created. Why? We weren't made to do it alone.
Some of you may think that is unfair or cruel. Some may think that God sets us up to fail. Do training wheels on a bike set a child up to fail? No indeed! They are for safety for an unstable child on a moving object for stabilization and for building confidence. But nothing, NOTHING takes the place of Mom or Dad standing behind the child shouting instructions or running along beside this child cheering them on. Remember? I do! Would you say that was cruel?
This world is a moving target. As long as we live there will always be something new to encounter, something we aren't ready for. Age does not guarantee maturity in all areas of life. How do you maturely handle the loss of a parent or child? How does age teach you to deal with the increasing hostility of the world? It does not. But an encounter with the mercy that is new every morning and that endures forever-THAT teaches, matures, stabilizes, and gives confidence.
Grace is God giving you what you don't deserve. Mercy is God not giving you what you deserve. We need both! They go hand in hand. But, I remember mercy. Oh, how God teaches me through mercy!
When I have messed up big, whether it was a BAD decision or a mistake (and there are very few real mistakes), I remember mercy.
Mercy matures me in a way nothing else can and makes me wiser. Having not received a just punishment makes me appreciate forgiveness. To receive mercy makes you appreciate grace. You may think in a worldly manner that we "get away" with certain things. NOT SO! "...be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 22:33. If God was not all-knowing or Omniscient, He would not be God at all. Something about God overlooking a blatant wrong makes me mature, wise and even strong.
Mercy teaches me how to handle loss. God gives and takes away. He knows the length of all the lives He created. He Alone begins and ends as the Author and Finisher of our faith. How can I call the One who gave me mercy, who held back punishment from me, unfair and unjust because a life ends? Though a life may end in tragedy-did not His own Son die a violent death at the hand of murderers and those who falsely accused Him and blasphemed God? He could've stopped that crucifixion, too. He did not. There was purpose in the death. We are all born to die one day. Jesus was our example in even that violent death. Yet He provided for His family by giving His mother to John. He gave mercy to a thief being put to death with Him. He quoted scripture and fulfilled scripture from the very instrument of His death, the Cross. His violent death WAS my mercy!
Mercy teaches me to deal with hostility. By being the recipient of mercy and then, grace, I have learned to be more lenient with those who are blind to their toxic behavior and unkind by choice. This area is still a work in progress for me. Had I never received mercy, I wouldn't understand forgiveness and I would've had no example. I am reminded daily of what Jesus did for me. If He could die to forgive my sins, I can overlook the sin of others. Sometimes it is very hard and I don't get it right the first time. But, I try.
Solomon learned about mercy and grace and left us a wonderful example in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under Heaven:
A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, And a time to heal; time to break down, And a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
A time to tear, And a time to sow; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace."
Make the most of your time and remember, God's mercy is new every morning!
Please continue to pray for Mercy Abounds this New Year! May God bless you and to God be the glory!
Jamie
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