Hope

The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him, but he will destroy the wicked. I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever. Psalm 145: 14-21 NLT

Sometimes I think we Christians are incredibly self-absorbed and too focused on our mortality. We are always praying for people to be healed or removed from suffering. We want to live longer -- and we want our loved ones to be able to do the same. We forget the smallest details of all that God has endowed to us as God’s people. And we overlook the eternal hope that God desperately wants for us.

The psalmist’ words in Psalm 145 are words of hope for me. I can see more clearly what God provides for us. God doesn’t just heal but God lifts up our hopelessness. When we focus on God and what God has already provided for us, we see a glorious future and a promise that God will never go back on. 

Where do you need hope to shine in your own life?

God, we praise you and bless your holy name forever and ever. Amen.

Copyright 2013 Amelia G. Sims

God's mercy and compassion

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.  The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. Psalm 145: 8-13 NLT

What is God like to you?

The psalmist (yes, from the Old Testament where it seems God is always about punishment) says that God is merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, full of love, and good to everyone.

Wow! That is my God!

I am thinking right now about how God has shown me mercy. I see God’s compassion in my life. God has certainly be slower to get angry at me -- much slower than I am to get angry at God. God loves me, more than any human being will ever be able to accomplish. Sometimes I think I am only lovable in God’s eyes! God is so good to everyone...yet so many don’t see God’s goodness. 

How has God shown you love? Compassion? Mercy? 

How have you and I shown those same traits to others?

God, I thank you for your compassion, mercy, love, patience and goodness. May I always have the same for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright 2013 Amelia G. Sims

The Next Generation

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. Psalm 145: 4-7 NLT

How good have I been to tell the next generations about God’s mighty acts and power? 

I have been reading a lot of teen books lately and I can tell you the characters in these books certainly don’t know about God or God’s mighty acts. Mostly, they see God as indifferent or don’t see God at all. 

Sometimes when I am with teens or even children I am trying so hard to “relate” to them that I miss the opportunity to share God with them. 

The pulpit does only so much in telling of God’s mighty acts.

I wonder how many of generations younger than me read this devotional blog?

God, may each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright 2013 Amelia G. Sims

No one can measure God's greatness

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Psalm 145: 1-3 NLT

No one can measure God’s greatness. 

Certainly, we can try. When we praise God or thank God for our blessings and for the world, we come close to measuring the greatness of God. However, we will never run out of what to praise God for or what to thank God for. God’s worth and creation is endless. 

I guess the best thing for us to do is to try to thank God and praise God for everything we can think of, for everything in our world. Just because we can never get to the end of things to give God glory for does not mean we shouldn’t try! 

God, you are most worthy of praise. You are the one we should be constantly thanking. We will never be able to measure your greatness. However, we will never stop giving you our worship and our love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright 2013 Amelia G. Sims