MERCY FACTOR

GOD'S PUNISHMENT HAS A MERCY FACTOR!

King David after going against the will of God realized his mistake and asked for forgiveness. You can read the entire story in 1 Chronicles chapter 21. The only problem was that God had already decided to punish King David and Israel and He charged the angels to destroy the nation.

Because of David's repentance, God gave him 3 choices for a punishment in verse 12: "You may choose ..."
(1) three years of famine
(2) three months of destruction by your enemies
(3) three days of severe plague as the angel of the LORD brings devastation throughout the land of Israel.
David chose option 3. He responded, "But let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands."

David realized that if he chose famine, he is sanctioning a slow painful death to the nation. The future generations would be killed because of the lack of "food" given to them.
David realized that if he chose enemies' destruction, the nation of Israel would be wiped out because they would not let up.
David realized that if he chose angel of the Lord, the nation would be hurt but it would not be destroyed. He knew that God loved His children and His punishment included a mercy factor.

We might be going through a punishment or disciplining by God's hands in our lives, but it is not to wipe us out or put us to shame. It is for short time - only "3 days" - to show us that He is in control of everything. He deals with us in mercy and love. He wants to see us get up and grow, not stay down and die. He needs us to fall into His hands.

We make mistakes. We come up short in God's eyes and sometimes in man's eyes. We're not perfect, but we have a road to redemption through Jesus Christ. The punishment for sinners has been decided which was destruction for eternity. But if we realize and repent, God is gracious and merciful to relent his all-out onslaught of destruction and spare us to live another day.

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

LOVE IS IN THE AIR - PART 2

Shifting focus to Mark chapter 12, we read that Jesus gave two specific commands on love. First, love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Second, love each other. He summarized the law of God and encompassed the entirety of the life to which He was calling His followers. It seems basic but difficult to live out.

To break it down a little further, we can see that with our heart our allegiance is drawn. In our heart we feel and it’s the source of expression of love. With our soul our character defined. It is where you decide between choices. In the mind our thoughts and beliefs are constructed. It is where you think. God wants us to think, that’s why He puts choices in front of us. Having faith in God doesn’t mean we stop thinking. In our strength our actions are carried out. It is where we physically interact with the world around us. However, we will not last for long if depend on our own strength to get thru each day. We need His power and strength to face the battles of life. It takes energy and our energy is the Spirit of God.

When you bring these components together in life, it means centering our lives on Him on a daily basis. That takes a daily commitment which involves focus and discipline. Can we or are we ready to make that commitment?

Loving others is not easy. Loving ourselves comes naturally to us. It takes a choice to love others – a commitment to reach out and engage them. Can we or will we love others? True love is in and through Jesus Christ. True love in Jesus Christ is everlasting. He was sacrificed for our eternal life. Can we at least live our short lives on earth for Him, loving Him and loving others around us?

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

LOVE IS IN THE AIR - PART 1

It’s February, there’s snow on the ground (all over the U.S.), and we can see red all around us. Red balloons, stuffed animals, boxes with chocolate inside, etc…This is the month for “love” as per the holiday calendar. Save me a piece of chocolate. The world has transitioned from the birth of Jesus – Christmas – to focusing on a day named after a “saint” Valentine. From the ultimate to the “passionate”.

The Bible’s central theme highlights true love, the sacrificial and self-giving love of Jesus Christ. In 1 John chapter 4, we read about this love. The source of love is God himself. God is love. There is strong language there that says that if we don’t love, we don’t know God. We walk around thinking we “know” God but still cannot love – we’re just fooling ourselves. As He is the source and we had the privilege to receive and accept this love, we cannot be satisfied with that alone. The Dead Sea has no life because there is no way for the water to flow out of it – it just collects the water from the rivers. There is no outlet from this sea. We cannot just be collectors but providers and givers of the love of God. When we love God, ourselves, and others we are giving this love a channel to operate. When that love is in operation, God’s love is being shared and He is glorified.

Jerry Maguire uttered the famous line, “show me the money” in relation to getting a sports franchise to pay one his athlete clients the most money to play for them. God didn’t whisper sweet nothings into our ears, but He shouted it with the act of having his only Son sacrificed, killed, slaughtered like a lamb, for our eternal salvation, deliverance, healing, and victory. Even while we were sinners – liars, cheaters, scammers, haters, etc. – He loved us so much to die for us. We show our love with gifts that have a limited price and value - flowers, teddy bears, jewelry (oh I meant watches), etc. The world today defines love with sex, touchy-feely affection, great looks and material wealth. But heaven defines love with sacrifice and relationship. One symbol is not a heart with an arrow thru it, but a wooden cross with a sign on top, three nails, blood stains, flesh, sweat, and tears. That was our gift and that gift is available to all of humanity. Are we presenting it thru the love we showcase in our lives?

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

2010 - Leap Into Action - PART 2

...CONTINUED

2. Simon passed the quiz so its time now for a test. Jesus asked him to launch out into deep for a catch. In 2010, we need to launch our lives out into the deep. Its not easy and it might be scary but know that we have a "life vest". It is the presence and promise of God. He directed us to launch out and in that case, He will be with us!

Jesus told him to cast YOUR net, not someone else's net! There are so many types of nets we see around us: fishing net, soccer goal net, basketball hoop net, mosquito nets, etc... Each one is different in terms of strength, make up, and purpose. Each of us has been given OUR NET - its different in strength, purpose, and make up as well. You dont have to try to cast out your friends net or your loved one's net - but just YOURS. Reach your circle of influence with YOUR NET. You have a special gift - Use it in ACTION in 2010!

Enjoy the Ride,

Cecil

2010 - Leap Into Action - PART 1

In the last week of 2009, I was reading Luke 5 and focused on the first few verses. It screams out a CALL TO ACTION for Jesus and His Kingdom! We can't hang around like bumps on a log any longer. Satan is on top of his game these days and God can't afford to have spectators when He needs participators.

HIGHLIGHTS & APPS

1. A crowd of people were following Jesus and gathering around him to hear Him speak and minister to their needs. The crowd grew in size and He knew everyone was not hearing the message and needed to change his vantage point. He looked to get to a higher point so His words can go out to everyone (even the guy all the way in the back). He stepped onto one of the boats and told the owner to take boat a little bit off shore so all can hear His message. Simon - the boat owner - without hesitation ACTED! Jesus was recruiting people for the position of Disciple and He tested this man. This man passed his first quiz!

I'm thinking the people in front of the crowd had their JESUS ENCOUNTER a while back on the journey and just enjoy being around Him now and Jesus knew it. He also knew there were people that never heard him or had their JESUS ENCOUNTER yet (people piling up at back of crowd just now). Are we lifting up Jesus so that ALL people can see and hear HIM speak and minister to them? We, the church folks, need to grow up in all ways and lift up Jesus for ALL to see His love! Simon saw the need and processed the request and took ACTION!

Stay Tuned For Part 2 ...

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil