Showing posts with label compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compassion. Show all posts

Monday, March 1, 2010

Monday, March 1 – Day 13

Seeking His Glory in Evangelizing All Peoples
Seek God....for God’s love to be received

Seeking God on behalf of physically disabled people,

Jesus showed mercy to the blind, crippled, and diseased. As we contact physically and emotionally disabled people, may we be to them Christ’s representatives tangibly showing the compassion of Jesus Christ. Trusting in Jesus, may they experience that even their afflictions work together for their salvation.

Earl Dykema
Peace Church

Friday, February 19, 2010

Friday, February 19 – Day 3

In Exodus 33 and 34, Moses asks God to show him His name and God responds that He will show His glory. God then revealed seven characteristics of His glory: compassion, grace, patience, abundant lovingkindness, truth, forgiveness, and justice. Some argue that God's purpose in creation was to display His glory, these seven characteristics, to the universe.

Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

The very first two requests in the Lord's Prayer are that God's name, his glory, be hallowed and that God's kingdom come. Today's prayer asks God to keep on changing us so that we will reflect His love and His glory, so that many will behold glory in our land. There can be no higher prayer.

As Christians, our every action will be measured against this standard: Does it demonstrate the glory of God? Does it advance God's kingdom or does it advance mine? Will the world see God or will it see me?

Jesus told us in Matthew 5, “You are the light of the world.” and "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Lord, give me your Holy Spirit so that that I may be a light to the world, showing your glory to a lost generation.

Mike Pearson, New Covenant Bible – also serving His Hands Free Medical Clinic and Serve The City

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Wednesday, February 17 - Day 1

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 85: 2, 4, 6; Luke 15: 20-24; Psalm 144:12, 15

In the first passage we hear the Psalmist plea for God to forgive the sins of His people as He has done in the past, to no longer be angry with us, to give us one more fresh start.  In the second passage Jesus tells us of a father whose son had sinned against him.  As the son approached, ready to confess his sins, his father gathered up the finest of things for him.  Even as the son spoke the father was giving directions to his servants for a celebration.  One could even wonder if the father heard the son, for he had long ago forgiven him and patiently waited for him to come home.  In the final passage the Psalmist, David, prays for the youth to grow up strong in the Lord.

Shortly after my oldest daughter graduated high school she moved away.  We would, on a rare occasion, get a phone call, but for the most part, we were cut off with no way to contact her.  I vividly remember the Thanksgiving that she called and asked if she could stop by on her way home from a trip.  I told her that would be great and that I would see her in a couple hours.  Four hours later I knew that she was not stopping.  Not a day would go by that I did not think about and pray for her.  My prayer was not that she return to me, but that she would come into a relationship with her heavenly father.  I knew if that relationship was restored it would only be a matter of time before our relationship would be too.  About a year and a half ago I got a friend request on facebook.  I clicked to see who it was.  It was my daughter.  I immediately accepted.  When we finally got together in person I was filled with joy and gave a big hug welcoming her home.  Fast forward a year.  On November 7, 2009 I had the honor of walking her down the isle at her wedding.

Father, You have forgiven us all our sins.  You wait patiently for each of Your children to return to You.  I know the pain and worry I felt for my daughter.  I cannot begin to imagine how You feel.  The joy I experienced when my daughter finally came home wiped it all away.  I know why You wait for Your children always seeking them out.  Thank you Lord for Your forgiveness.  Thank you that even as we confess our sins You have already moved past them.  May the love and joy that we experience through Your forgiveness overflow to our families, our city, our nation and our world.  Amen

Living Outrageously for Christ ~ Terry
180° Youth Ministries - Hus Presbyterian Church