Compassion

Accountability

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We are all the same…we are all human.  We all were born and we all will die.  Yet we are all different.  We are individuals…we are not groups.  We all are created by God.  We are all responsible for our actions and behaviors and we will be held accountable for our individual actions when we die and leave this world.  The answer to all our worries, our fears and our burdens is Jesus Christ.  If you believe in Him…turn towards Him in faith…pray with conviction…trust in Him and treat all other people with kindness, goodness, gentleness, patience and with love…the same love He has shown you we He died to save you.  Amen.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10.12

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

He Knows

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Jesus knows what it is like to live life in this world.  He was born as a baby…from the day of His birth until the day He died He experienced almost anything we encounter in our lives.  He knows what it is like for you and me in this world.  He knows we are sinners and that we will make mistakes and poor decisions…yet He sacrificed Himself to save us anyways.  Why?  Because He loves us that much.  Amen.

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

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“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:18

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Forgiveness

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This is something we need to give as much as we need to receive it.  Forgiveness is more than God’s grace given to us through Jesus Christ…we need to be able to give forgiveness to others as well.  If we choose to hold on to the pain, the bitterness and the anger it will eat away at our very life and end up affecting our relationships with everyone.  To forgive is not to say someone gets a free pass for hurting you…it is the act of letting go of the things that are continuing to hurt you in your daily life.  Christ will help you through this…come to Cross and give thanks to Jesus for His forgiveness of your sins and ask Him to help you find your way to give forgiveness.  Amen.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

He Understands

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In the bible, Jesus is referred to as the Son of God and also as the Son of Man.  During His life on earth He was God in human form.  He knows what it is like to be one of us living on earth.  If you have ever thought, ‘God doesn’t seem to care about me’ or ‘God is far too busy to care about my problems’…take a look at Jesus, read about His life in the New Testament of the bible…He knows about life on earth, He understands what you are experiencing.  Trust in the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Jesus wept.”

John 11:35

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Compassion

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Care…concern…gentleness…tenderness…kindness…mercy…understanding…love.  God is compassionate.  If we would choose compassion over self-centered behavior more often it would make such a big difference in this world.  An act of compassion doesn’t have to be recorded and go viral to be meaningful…one act of compassion that benefits one person that nobody else knows about is just as valuable as one that encourages many.  Jesus Christ has set us the example of care, concern, gentleness, tenderness, kindness, mercy, understanding and love…let’s strive to follow His lead and show compassion to others.  May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.  Amen.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

A Giving Mindset

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The holiday season is a time to remind us to be grateful and to share with others where and when we are able.  The challenge is to maintain a level of a giving mindset throughout the whole year.  It is easy to slip into a self-oriented mindset for numerous reasons…the ability to stand firm and to change your perspective is possible by building and growing your relationship with Jesus Christ, every day.  He knows what it means to sacrifice for others, He knows how to have compassion and to be humble even when, especially when we don’t deserve it.  Ask God to help you find and maintain a giving mindset throughout the holiday season and beyond.  May we all find moments of peace and joy and opportunities to help those in need.  Amen.

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“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while driving through Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Keep Doing Good Things

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Not for your benefit, rather for the benefit of helping others.  We reap what we sow in this life.  This does not mean we can earn our way into heaven by doing the right things…it means whatever we give out into the world will come back around to us at some point and none of us knows or can control how or when that will happen.  This is further proof that God is in control and it is our responsibility to choose our behaviors and our actions in our daily life.  We cannot control what others will think, say or do, yet we can control how we respond.  Let’s choose to keep doing good things.  May the Fruit of the Spirit flow through us each day.  Amen.

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“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:7-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Compassion

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As we read about the life of Jesus and His ministry, we are given many examples of the amazing love and compassion He has for all people, especially those in need of healing.  Not just those who need physical healing but also spiritual healing and that includes you and me.  We should seek to live as Jesus has taught us and if we do, we will begin to see with new eyes where Jesus wants us to serve.  Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord.  Amen.

Open The Eyes Of My Heart by Michael W. Smith

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“A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”  Jesus was filled with compassion.  He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”

Mark 1:40-42

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Show Compassion To One Another

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Everyone has troubles…everyone is fighting a battle most of us know nothing about.  Don’t assume the worst in others…don’t assume the thoughts, words and actions of others are all about you.  Have mercy, show compassion and pray about your interactions with others.  We were all created by God…all of us, and He loves every one of us.  We all are broken and Jesus died to save us from our sins.  Give your best to one another and shine the Light of Christ’s love to each other…even when we don’t think others deserve it.  Amen.

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“And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah:  “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.  Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.”

Zechariah 7:8-10

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

 

Compassion

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Understanding…care…concern…warmth…kindness…gentleness…mercy…love.  God’s loves you…He knows everything about you and your life, everything.  Even still He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you, so much that He sent His Son as a sacrifice to pay for your sins.  Think of it this way…you have committed a crime and you are in a courtroom before the judge, you know what you have done, you know it was wrong…everyone else knows it was you…yet out nowhere a completely innocent man steps forward and says ‘I will take the punishment this person deserves’ and you are set free…that is exactly what God in the form of Jesus Christ has done for you…why?  Because that is how much He loves you.  Amen.

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“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)