New Mercies Every Morning

Monday, January 6, 2019

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

The new year is now well under way and many of us have already broken a resolution or two - or maybe all of them. It is exciting to think about our lives and what we would like to see changed in the next twelve months, but when we stumble in our goals it can be defeating. If you already feel like a failure, remember that God’s mercies are new every morning and only in His strength and power can we fully accomplish anything. He is our portion and our hope, and without Him we have no hope.

God does not expect us to be perfect, so why should we?  He has grace and mercy abounding for us.  He understands when we are spinning our wheels and going nowhere, and He sees us trying to do it all in our own power. Although we may trip and fall along the way, God is unchanging, and His mercies toward us are unfaltering. He never gives up on us and every time we fail, He helps us up over and over again. 

The first light of day breaks the darkness just like the Lord’s love overcomes the darkness in our lives. He overcomes everything we can’t because He is the overcomer. Every dawn heralds a new day and reminds us of His new mercies and His grace. The sun comes up every day without fail and God’s promises also come without fail or expiration date. He never runs out of mercy, grace and love for us. 

God shows us grace and mercy in so many ways - other than just helping us out of our failures. He continues to breathe breath in our lungs, provide sun and rain to nourish our earth, and so many other ways. All God’s provisions and blessings for us are manifestations of His promises to us, which include His unfailing mercy, grace, and steadfast love.

No matter what this new year brings for you, remember that every day is a new day and a new beginning. We will fail sometimes, but God is the same and always there for us.   

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

S

How To Do A Great Work

How to Do a Great Work
Ezra 3:1-12

It is amazing what God can do through a church or group of believers who commit themselves to partner for His purpose.  God’s people have an opportunity to rebuild the Temple which God arranged through a pagan king.  The only question left is whether they are willing to follow God’s plan to get the task done.

Israel determined to do what they were called to do in order to be who they were called to be.

Healthy, growing churches are composed of healthy, growing believers seeking to fulfill the mission of Christ in the world.

To do a great work we must:

I. Come Together Ezra 3:1

A.    The Whole Assembly was Involved.  Ezra 2:64-65

UNITY brings the blessings of God!!  But it must be unity of truth given by the Spirit of God.  Ephesians 4:4-6

The task that Christ calls us to calls us to each other.  It is bigger than any of us.

B.    There Must be a Shared Responsibility  Ezra 2:68-69

“NOT EQUAL GIFTS BUT EQUAL SACRIFICE”

II. Worship Together Ezra 3:3-6

A. A Desire for the Presence and Protection of God  Ezra 3:3a

Fear is a great evangelist; for when we are afraid, we will seek the face of God.

B. A Disciplined Devotion Brings Revival.  Ezra 3:3b-6

Real worship leads to more worship!

III. Do the Right Thing in the Right Way Ezra 3:7-9 

A. Follow the example of those before you.  Ezra 3:7

B. When God assigns a task He also designates a method.  Ezra 3:8-9

There is fellowship like no other when you work side by side to accomplish a great task.

Our most successful ministries have been the products of the burden, vision and coordination of members.

IV. Finish What God Started Ezra 3:10-13 

A. Celebrate the Accomplishment. Ezra 3:7

Anyone can make a commitment – the ones who change the world are those who keep them.

B. Expect Criticism  Ezra 3:12-13

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.   Elbert Hubbard 

Criticism is often the advice from the observers on the performers.  Van N. Houser 

We have much to accomplish to achieve this generation’s responsibility for the work of the Kingdom.