Reflecting God - gods restoring mercy

Romans 9:14-29

God is not required to have mercy on us; He is Sovereign. He would be justified to deal with us as our sins deserve. Yet, in His mercy He provides another way. As the scriptures explain, it is not simply the physical children of Abraham who are regarded as his “offspring,” but those who accept the promise of God by faith (Romans 9:8).

To those who reject His offer of forgiveness in Christ God is justified in His wrath. Yet God shows patience and compassion. God offers salvation even to those who may ultimately reject Him! It is God who offers mercy; people, sadly, refuse the offer. Our salvation does not depend on what we deserve.

In the end it is no wonder that people who refuse God’s offer of forgiveness are punished for their sin. However, it is amazing that God offers forgiveness to all who turn from sin and to Christ for salvation. As Paul wrote elsewhere, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Author: Jennifer Woodard

Reflecting God - Chaotic Waters

Isaiah 43:1-13

I can remember the fear I felt standing on the edge of the river bank preparing to brave the chaotic flood waters in a canoe. New to canoeing I believed my emerging skill and the help of my friend would be enough to conquer the unknown. However, my fear was quickly affirmed as fierce torrents suddenly appeared and swept us into uncontrollable pitches sending us overboard.

The same type of fear grips me when I think about the prejudices hidden in my heart. These prejudices are like the unknown torrents in the river. Once they emerge, they can seize me and throw me into a way of acting that grieves the heart of the One who has redeemed and called me by name.

Isaiah encourages us to not fear as we wade into the life giving waters of the Christian faith. The basis of our confidence is unlike my naïve faith in my canoeing abilities. We gain confidence by remembering that God’s redeeming work is already beginning. We can trust God to be with us, protect us, and transform us.

Author: Paul Sheneman

Goodbye, or see you later?

Endless Hallelujah - Matt Redman

Only one life will soon be past, only whats done for Christ will last!

The longer this life goes, the more I long for somewhere I have never been.  The more loved ones I say goodbye to the more I long to be where my Jesus is.  I long to walk the streets of heaven with grandparents who have gone on before me, I long to be reunited with pets that have gone on and are playing in the Meadows of heaven waiting on me to return to them.  Most of all I long to be where my Lord and Savior is.  This life is nothing but a mist and nothing that can be seen in this life will last, it is as dust and is only temporary.  This past Monday my wife's grandmother took that ride on the old ship of Zion.  Today we lay her to rest, but it is not a good bye, only see you later.  One day we will see her again when our time on this earth is up.

Only One Life
Poem by C.T. Studd

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

unity

The muskox, an arctic bovine living in herds of 12–24, has a unique defensive strategy. When they’re feeling threatened by a predator, they form a circle.

You’ll find them shoulder-to-shoulder, an intimidating wall of mammoth heads and horns, staring down their enemies. In the midst of this impenetrable circle you’ll find the calves and weaker members of the herd. As long as they stick together, they’re virtually 

it sems to me that here as of late the church is somewhat divided on important issues.  we are called in 1 corinthians to be one body.  

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NLT

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

We are all different parts of the body but each part does a spcific task.  The world seems to be spireling out of control with seemingly no end in sight.  Evil is so close to achiveing its goal, now in my opinion is the time for us (the church) to shine even more brightly (matthew 5:13-16).

as my pastor says be light go shine!

Reflecting God - gods restoring love

Below is today's devotional I receive via email. Enjoy!

John 21:7-25

John 21 is an intimate setting: a group of friends, breakfast on the beach, a walk, and an intimate conversation. Three times Jesus asks, “Peter, do you love me?” Surely Peter was already overwhelmed with grief at his betrayal of the Lord. Was Jesus being cruel? Never! Jesus often ministered by asking questions that cut through the fog of fear, self-centeredness, guilt or failure.

What Peter saw in himself was someone whose actions had failed the Lord. What Christ saw was someone who would allow God to use him fully. Jesus had been with Peter at every turn. He caught him when he sank (Matt. 14:31), corrected his attitude in the garden (Jn. 18:11), and looked directly at Peter when the rooster crowed (Luke 22:61).

We are not alone as we endeavor to follow Christ. He is here, leading us forward, walking beside, and directing from behind. He does not look at our failures with disappointment or disgust. He wants to lovingly restore in us all that falls short of His glory and goodness

Reflecting God - with us

Below in a devotional I receive via email I wanted to share. I did not write it, it is titled reflecting God. Enjoy!

Isaiah 63:7-14

God leads his people. But it is not always through the calm, balmy days of summer. It may be carving a path through the roaring chaos of overwhelming grief, or into shelter from the clash of anger and frustration, or even while being swept along on a flood of painful memories. Joining Jesus on the journey is not flood insurance policy, nor does it protect our possessions from fire or damage.

We can find confidence and courage, because “This is how you guided your people.” God once led and still leads His people himself. This is where our hope and security lie. He does not send a substitute to conduct the trip. He did not simply give us a map and send us on our way. No, God is with us on this journey, providing pillars of fire and cloud. He parts waters.  He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell within us and among us.

Trials and suffering need not lead us to despair, but hope. Isaiah reminds us that the God who has done it before and will do it again, with us!

Author: Julia Roat-Abla

Revival and grace.

I wonder how far will we as men and women of God stand and let this world slip further and further over the edge?  Will we just stand by and say 'oh someone else will do something'. What if nobody else does?!  What if nobody else will humble themselves and earnestly pray for revival?  This world needs the love and grace that can only be found in the love and grace that come from our lord Jesus christ.

All this is for your sake so that, as God’s kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God. That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18 GW)


The true grace of God is costly.  Jesus gave up his heavenly throne to come to earth, be born, grow up and teach the truth, be condemed of crimes he didn't commit, be scourged within an inch of death, then he was nailed to a roman cross.  He did all this so we wouldn't have to die for all eternity. That is costly, he gave up his all, shouldn't we do likewise?  I'm not claiming to be perfect but I seek him and his grace daily. I need it. I have walked through days outside of his grace, I don't want to go back there. So I need his grace. I pray all who read this will really stop and earnestly seek him. Maybe spend some earnest time kneeling in his presence seeking fellowship and grace from the king of kings.

Holy holy holy is the lord god almighty!