{Grace & Mercy}

My family and I recently visited a beach in Georgia. It was quiet and peaceful, none of the "rat race" stress. Just God. We woke up early one morning and made our way to one of the beaches to watch the sun rise. As the bight orange rays broke over the ocean and filled the sky I was reminded of how awesome God is. How he made such beautiful places, flowers, wonderful smells and giving us the pleasures of food that melts in your mouth. These are not things that God "needed" He gave them to us out of love*.  He wants us to be happy and know that not only will he meet our needs but surpass them!!

I am so thankful for the grace that God has given me. The blessings that i do not at all deserve. He is so mercyfull that all we have to do is confess our failures and the God that made the sunrise is faithful to forgive us.

We have been given the Great Commission (Math 28:16-20) by the authority in Jesus on heaven and earth to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything that He has commanded, when all the while He is standing by our side giving us the strength and comfort to accomplish ALL things!! We are not to just make believers but disciples...the journey doesnt end at acceptance.

The way that we live our life shows our thankfulness of what God has done for us! In Eph 4:1-6 He speaks of this and of the virtues that we will or "should" posses as a biproduct of our faith in Jesus...
        Humility: judge ourselves in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us. Also to offer ourselves entirly to God for His work and glory out of thankfullness and love for the God who is fill of mercy. (Romans 12)
       Gentleness: Pastor Trevor used this ex. that you wouldnt consider a tiny dog "gentle" if it is easy with children, but if it were a great dane which had the ability to do great harm,and could reframe from that through control...thats being gentle. In the same aspect, many men consider gentleness and sometimes love to be a weakness. It is however totally the opposite! A big, strong man who shows gentleness by being in control of himself and disiplined enough to deny human desires...that shows more POWER and awesomeness than a man who is "weak" and cannot contol himself. So never be afraid to allow God to make you gentle and loving because by that you bear witness of true strength.
        Patience: excepting Gods plan and waiting patiently through it all without complaining
        Love: bearing with one another, through ALL things in love* 

So take the time to examine ourselves and see how we are living up to what God is calling, no... commanding that we do for Him. And if we love our God as much as we say we do we should be willing and able to allow him to change us and make us usable so that we can be used! You never know who is watching when you deside to edulge yourself or what situation they may be going through, but that can ruin your witness with that person forever...and they may never again have anyone in thier life that will lead them to the Lord so they will suffer in hell forever! I am NOT willing to have that on my sholders as I go before the King! I will stive daily to show my love to God by showing His love others!
What are you doing for HIM?? 
                                                                                                                                       
Have raised almost $900 so far towards the Angola trip!! God is faithful and will provide the means to make His work possible :))