THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST

But you know him, because he lives

with you now and 

later will be in you. 

John 14:17 (NLT)

Throughout his time on this earth, Christ repeatedly demonstrated his compassion for others.

In Matthew 9:36, Jesus had compassion on the crowds because they were “confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

In Matthew 14:14, Jesus had compassion on the huge crowd gathered around him and he “healed their sick.”

In Luke 7:13, Jesus’ heart “overflowed with compassion” for the widow whose only son had died. By his mighty touch, he raised the young man back to life.

In John 11:35, when Jesus learned of Lazarus’ death, he wept with sympathetic compassion.

In Mark 1:41, Jesus was “moved with compassion” to heal the leper who begged to be made clean.

Jesus embodied the infinite compassion of God in the finite construction of the human heart. Christians can have that same limitless compassion if we ask God for it. As the Holy Spirit works in us we are able to love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable and accept the unacceptable.

Pray: Father, I ask that you infuse my life with Your blessed and sacred Holy Spirit. I ask that Your love reign in my heart so that I may know and share your infinite compassion for others. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Christ in us: “Every act of compassion done by anyone for his fellow Christian is done by Christ working in him.” Julian of Norwich

PORTRAIT OF A SAVIOR

Who has believed our message?

To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?

My servant grew up in the LORD’S presence

 like a tender green shoot,

 like a root in dry ground.

There was nothing beautiful or 

 majestic about his presence,

 nothing to attract us to him.

He was despised and rejected - - 

 a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

We turned our backs on him and 

 looked the other way.

He was despised and we did not care.

Yet it was our weakness he carried;

 it was our sorrows that weighed him down.

And we thought his troubles were a 

 punishment from God,

 a punishment for his own sins!

But he was pierced for our rebellion, 

 crushed for our sins.

He was beaten so we could be whole,

He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.

We have left God’s path to follow our own.

Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly,

 yet he never said a word.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.

And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, 

 he did not open his mouth.

Unjustly condemned he was led away.

No one cared that he died without descendants,

 that his life was cut short in midstream.

But he was struck down

 for the rebellion of my people.

He had done no wrong

 and had never deceived anyone. 

But he was buried like a criminal;

 he was put in a rich man’s grave.

But it was the LORD’S good plan to 

 crush him and cause him grief.

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,

 he will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life,

 and the LORD’S good plan will 

 prosper in his hands.

When he sees all that is accomplished 

 by his anguish,

 he will be satisfied.

And because of his experience,

 my righteous servant will make it possible 

 for many to be counted as righteous,

 for he will bear all their sins.

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,

 because he exposed himself to death.

He was counted among the rebels.

He bore the sins of many and

 interceded for rebels.

Isaiah 53 (NLT)

WHAT ARE YOU TRUSTING GOD FOR TODAY?

Your road led through the sea,

your pathway through the mighty waters - - 

a pathway no one knew was there!

Psalm 77:19

WHAT DO I KNOW OF HOLY?

What do I know of You

 Who spoke me into motion?

Where have I even stood

 but the shore along Your ocean?

 Are You fire? Are You fury?

 Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?

What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

Addison Road

HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU!

For the LORD your God is living among you. 

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17

EVEN WHEN HE WAS DYING ON THE CROSS, JESUS CARED FOR HIS MOTHER

Even when he was dying on the cross, Jesus took care of his mother:

When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

John 19:26-27

Happy Mother's Day to anyone who has nurtured or cared for someone along the way in this life.

blog inspired by Pastor Stan Ponz

International Baptist Church, Honolulu, HI

http://internationalchurch.us/

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 2011

Psalm 25

O LORD, I give my life to you.

I trust in you, my God!

Do not let me be disgraced, 

  or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Show me the right path, O LORD;

point out the road for me to follow.

Lead me by your truth and teach me,

  for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.

Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.

Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.

The LORD is good and does what is right;

he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

He leads the humble in doing right,

  teaching them his way.

The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

For the honor of your name, O LORD,

Forgive my many, many sins.

Who are those who fear the LORD?

He will show them the path they should choose.

They will live in prosperity,

  and their children will inherit the land.

The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.

He teaches them his covenant.

My eyes are always on the LORD,

for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

Turn to me and have mercy,

  for I am alone and in deep distress.

My problems go from bad to worse.

Oh, save me from them all!

Feel my pain and see my trouble.

Forgive all my sins.

See how many enemies I have and how viscously they hate me!

Protect me! Rescue my life from them!

Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.

May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.

O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles.

Amen.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

Discipleship begins with devotion. 

Devotion begins in my heart.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

"in everything give thanks"

1 Thessalonians 5:18a

“His death is our life, His loss is our gain;

the joy for the tear, the peace for the pain.”

selected, Streams in the Desert