Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, Help us to accept your counsel without question. Give us discernment when hearing the advice of others. And, thank you for being with us and helping us through the consequences. 

May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your counsel!”  -Psalm 20:4

God is the best consultant in the universe.  But He offers His advice for free.  So human beings systematically disregard His advice because they do not perceive its value.  God recognizes this little bit of human insanity.  He is patient.  He adjusts life so that we learn the value of His advice in moments of great need and suffering.  But He doesn’t want us to go through the same devaluation of our insights.  He wants to back us up. – Dr Skip Moen

Why is it that we humans often prefer to learn lessons the hard way. God so wants to protect us from bad choices and is so willing to provide the counsel we need if we will just listen. He will not take away our free will to make the choice, but even when we choose wrong, He is there to help us through it. What an amazing, loving God!

May the God of all wisdom counsel you in your journey and lead you in the path of righteousness. And, may He anoint the advice you give and receive with your community.

Contributed by: Melissa Schultz, Cypress Elder

Heavenly Father, Help us to accept your counsel without question. Give us discernment when hearing the advice of others. And, thank you for being with us and helping us through the consequences. 

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.  Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.  Proverbs 19:20-21 

“Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart…When you judge yourself for needing help, you judge those you are helping.  When you attach value to giving help, you attach value to needing help.  The danger of tying your self-worth to being a helper is feeling shame when you have to ask for help.  Offering help is courageous and compassionate, but so is asking for help.” Brene’ Brown 

Asking for help and seeking counsel is courageous and compassionate.  Seeking wisdom is not a sign a weakness, but instead a sign of strength.  Courage is contagious.  Be bold and courageous today.

May the God of all wisdom counsel you in your journey and lead you in the path of righteousness. And, may He anoint the advice you give and receive with your community.

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

Heavenly Father, Help us to accept your counsel without question. Give us discernment when hearing the advice of others. And, thank you for being with us and helping us through the consequences. 

We and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:12 & 14

So do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses. The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Acts 21:23-24 & 26

“Your best servant is the person who does not attend so much to hearing what he himself wants as to willing what he has heard from you.” -St Augustine Confessions

In Acts chapter 21 we see Paul refusing and accepting counsel. Both groups advice was intended to keep him from his eventual faith of being arrested and dying. Can the wisdom of men keep us from the plans God has for us?

May the God of all wisdom counsel you in your journey and lead you in the path of righteousness. And, may He anoint the advice you give and receive with your community.

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

Heavenly Father, Help us to accept your counsel without question. Give us discernment when hearing the advice of others. And, thank you for being with us and helping us through the consequences. 

The way of the fool seems right to them, but the wise listen to counsel. -Proverbs 12:15

No man is so wise that he may not easily err, if he takes not other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master,- Ben Jonson

We are free to choose. Our choices have consequences. Better to seek wise counsel on the choice and counsel for how to negotiate unwanted consequences.

May the God of all wisdom counsel you in your journey and lead you in the path of righteousness. And, may He anoint the advice you give and receive with your community.

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, Help us to accept your counsel without question. Give us discernment when hearing the advice of others. And, thank you for being with us and helping us through the consequences. 

I know the plans I have you, plans to prosper you, to give you a hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. -Proverbs 3:5,6

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers you succeed...King Solomon

Being willing to take counsel requires one to be willing to think again. God has had to challenge me to think again or rethink many things over the years. I needed to expand my understanding of God’s immense love and grace. Then, I needed to expand my own capacity for love and grace to share with the people in my life.

I am learning to hold my opinions loosely, so I can think again and hear the wise counsel God and others.

May the God of all wisdom counsel you in your journey and lead you in the path of righteousness. And, may He anoint the advice you give and receive with your community.

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, Help us to accept your counsel without question. Give us discernment when hearing the advice of others. And, thank you for being with us and helping us through the consequences. 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. - Psalm 32:8

“The intellect is only theoretically independent of desire and appetite in ordinary, actual practice. It is constantly being blinded and perverted by the ends and aims of passion, and the evidence it presents to us with such a show of impartiality and objectivity is fraught with [self-] interest and propaganda.” - from The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton

The thought of having no one along my way encouraging me to slow down and think. To be a self without limits, a child playing God? Making critical decisions while taking only my own advice? That should be enough to terrify anyone.

May the God of all wisdom counsel you in your journey and lead you in the path of righteousness. And, may He anoint the advice you give and receive with your community.

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

May our all-powerful God help you to give up control and allow Him to fight your battles and strengthen you to fulfill His purposes.

God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. - Psalm 18:32-34

“For as the same fire causes gold to glow brightly, and chaff to smoke; and under the same flail the straw is beaten small, while the grain is cleansed; and as the lees are not mixed with the oil, though squeezed out of the vat by the same pressure, so the same violence of affliction proves, purges, clarifies the good, but damns, ruins, exterminates the wicked.” - from The City of God by St. Augustine

I guess I thought that if I stopped, then God would stop. That He might stop loving me and protecting me if I couldn't pull my own weight. I admit it, I can't do it. I’m not strong enough. Not right now. But I know I will be strong again, stronger than ever before, if I just rely on Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to realize who is really in control and can supply the power and strength to meet any and every challenge we may need to face in our life journey.

Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

May our all-powerful God help you to give up control and allow Him to fight your battles and strengthen you to fulfill His purposes.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.   Isaiah 41:10 

Certainly our own delusions of right standing were merely disguises of our true sinfulness.  God promises that we will be supported through the security of His holiness.  There is only one way to get right inside.  That way is to stop thinking we can handle it.  When we finally come to the place of validating God’s point of view on our situation, we see that one of the strongest allies of our past lives was the belief that we were in control.  The new way cannot begin until we stop trying to live according to our own rules. 

God is telling us to stop being afraid to change.  He is going to make sure that His purpose for you comes to pass.  He is going to strengthen you.  You don’t have to do it on your own.  Let it go.  God is waiting to lift you up. – Dr Skip Moen

The Monday after I left my job of 29 years to fulfil God call in my life, I had the worst panic attach ever. The fear of not being able to care for my family, of losing my work identity, and not knowing what the future held robbed me of my sleep, caused me chest pains and high blood pressure, and left me feeling helpless. Finally in my fears, I cried out to God with “I am out of control” to which He quietly replied, “you have never been in control.” In that moment, what I had cognitively known about God being in control became experiential truth and instantaneously set me free. Since that moment, I have never had anxiety about who is really in control and who know my every need before I even ask.  

Heavenly Father, help us to realize who is really in control and can supply the power and strength to meet any and every challenge we may need to face in our life journey.

Contributed by: Melissa Schultz, Cypress Elder

May our all-powerful God help you to give up control and allow Him to fight your battles and strengthen you to fulfill His purposes.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 

“In this season, talk of shortages is everywhere we turn.  A shortage of hospital beds.  A shortage of supplies in the grocery stores.  A shortage of the needed vaccine.  A shortage of answers for the questions everyone is asking.  But with all the talk of shortages, there is one thing of which we will never run short…We will never run short of God’s love.  He is with us.  He loves us.  He is strengthening us.  And he is watching over us.  When it feels like we don’t have what we need, God promises to provide for us.  When it feels like things are falling apart, God promises to be there for us.” -Max Lucado 

What is God saying to you in this season?  How is He reminding you of His ever-present love through your struggles?  What does the phrase “My strength is made perfect in weakness” mean to you? 

Heavenly Father, help us to realize who is really in control and can supply the power and strength to meet any and every challenge we may need to face in our life journey.

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

May our all-powerful God help you to give up control and allow Him to fight your battles and strengthen you to fulfill His purposes.

I love you God, you make me strong - Psalm 18:2

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies” -Mother Teresa

Memorize this short verse now as you meditate on it and make it a mantra for your day. It’s the small things where you’ll find strength.

Heavenly Father, help us to realize who is really in control and can supply the power and strength to meet any and every challenge we may need to face in our life journey.

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

May our all-powerful God help you to give up control and allow Him to fight your battles and strengthen you to fulfill His purposes.

Little by little I will drive them out before you until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. Exodus 23:30

Be faithful in small things because that is where your strength lies. Mother Theresa

Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime bench press 500 pounds. Unbelievable. It took him years of strength building to get there. Little by little. If you don’t have the strength in you today to do or be at the level you want… Then grow it little by little.

Heavenly Father, help us to realize who is really in control and can supply the power and strength to meet any and every challenge we may need to face in our life journey.

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

May our all-powerful God help you to give up control and allow Him to fight your battles and strengthen you to fulfill His purposes.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.Phil 4:13

To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees – these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. But, I’m learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude and grace.

My life verse since I was a teenager is Philippians 4:13. I have learned that Christ gives me strength to be authentic, resilient, and vulnerable as I lean into the discomfort that comes with living. Joy, gratitude and grace come as a result. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Heavenly Father, help us to realize who is really in control and can supply the power and strength to meet any and every challenge we may need to face in our life journey.

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, provide us the knowledge of You, Your glory and Your excellence such that we may truly worship You and experience real life.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. -Proverbs 12:1

We learn more from people who challenge our thought process than those who affirm our conclusions. Strong leaders engage their critics and make themselves stronger. Weak leaders silence their critics and make themselves weaker. This reaction isn’t limited to people in power. Although we might be on board with the principle, in practice we often miss out on the value of a challenge network. -Adam M. Grant, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know

Knowledge comes from being disciplined or challenged. Enjoy the challenge and gain knowledge. Hate the process and remain stupid.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

Heavenly Father, provide us the knowledge of You, Your glory and Your excellence such that we may truly worship You and experience real life.

… We all possess knowledge. But knowledge puffs up well love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1

Information is not knowledge. Without humility you were unable to learn. -Albert Einstein

Knowledge untethered to love quickly descends into arrogance. Knowledge translated into being its transformative for both oneself and others.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11

Contributed by: Melissa Schultz, Cypress Elder

Heavenly Father, provide us the knowledge of You, Your glory and Your excellence such that we may truly worship You and experience real life.

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. -Proverbs 18:15 

“The path to self-discovery is not a straight line.  It’s a zigzag.  We move in and out of awareness: one step forward, three steps to the left, a baby step back, another leap forward.  A lightbulb moment might shine brightly one day, but then flicker the next.  It takes work to hold tightly to a certain consciousness, to live in its wisdom.  Every day, I have to intentionally maintain an awareness of my value.  I know I’m worthy.  But you don’t cross over into the Land of Self-Worth and just become a permanent resident.  You have to keep your passport current.  You have to work to preserve your status.” Alicia Keys 

Knowledge in isolation is just that—facts, information, a theoretical construct.  It’s not until that knowledge is actively used and integrated into our lives that it becomes an undeniable force.  The power is not in the holding of knowledge, but in the application of it within our lives

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

Heavenly Father, provide us the knowledge of You, Your glory and Your excellence such that we may truly worship You and experience real life.

And Peter said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.-John 21:17b

Truth, the reality that is at the basis of all appearance, comes not so much by means of our intellect as through our obedience in personal relationship with Jesus. We find it not by reading books or by working in laboratories, but in following Jesus -Eugene Peterson

Jesus is all knowing. He can cut grass, wash dishes, exercise, and dance better than you. Not to mention your job and relationships. Whatever you’re doing, in that moment invite Him to help. You and your results will be better for it.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11

Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, provide us the knowledge of You, Your glory and Your excellence such that we may truly worship You and experience real life.

God's divine power has granted all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. -2 Peter 1:3

I am amazed at the power that the Bible gives to knowledge! Consider, “God's divine power has granted all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” Literally, all the power available from God to live and be godly comes through knowledge! Amazing! – John Piper

Most of the knowledge we need to get by in this life can be learned from books, from others, or from life experiences. However, knowledge necessary for real life and godliness comes only from God and is obtained by spending time with Him. Isn’t it amazing how much the world puts in our path to keep us from the one source of real life.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, provide us the knowledge of You, Your glory and Your excellence such that we may truly worship You and experience real life.

The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. -Proverbs 25:5

"His knowledge is not like ours, which has three tenses: present, past, and future. God's knowledge has no change or variation." - from The City of God by St. Augustine

The mind is like a muscle in that it needs to be pushed (sometimes painfully), stretched and regularly exercised. I will never know it all. There will always be more to learn. I am secure, not in the amount I know, but because I know God.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

Holy God, may my Fear of the Lord be not a paralyzing fear of doing nothing, but a motivating force helping me to accomplish your purposes by fulfilling the tasks you have for me. May it cause my life to be an encouragement to others and bring honor and glory to You.

Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. -Psalm 2:11

“Aslan is a lion the lion the great lion.”

“Oh,” said Susan, “I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I sure feel rather nervous about meeting at Lion”

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver… “Who said anything about being safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he is good. He is the king, I tell you.”

- C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The ancient spoke of the “scary mystery” and the “alluring mystery” of God. His holiness and power is so far beyond it makes you tremble. His love and grace so beautiful it draws you to Him. To fear the Lord is both.

May your fear of the Lord be an incredibly motivating force in your life, empowering you to accomplish your purposes. May fulfilling those purposes bring you peace and joy.

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

Holy God, may my Fear of the Lord be not a paralyzing fear of doing nothing, but a motivating force helping me to accomplish your purposes by fulfilling the tasks you have for me. May it cause my life to be an encouragement to others and bring honor and glory to You.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord. Than great treasure and turmoil with it. -Proverbs 15:16

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. -Isaiah 11:1-3 NIV

When the Bible refers to the “fear of the Lord,” it means having a deep respect, reverence and awe for God’s power and authority. Rather than causing someone to be afraid of God, a proper “fear of the Lord” leads one to love Him. -Mike Bennet

“I put the fear of God in him/her!” I have heard that statement many times…but always with the intent to correct and scare the person into changing their behavior.

“The fear of the Lord” is intended to bring you and me and everyone else closer to God because of love. It is not meant to scare or bring trepidation.

May your fear of the Lord be an incredibly motivating force in your life, empowering you to accomplish your purposes. May fulfilling those purposes bring you peace and joy.

Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

Holy God, may my Fear of the Lord be not a paralyzing fear of doing nothing, but a motivating force helping me to accomplish your purposes by fulfilling the tasks you have for me. May it cause my life to be an encouragement to others and bring honor and glory to You.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.  Proverbs 1:7

Once we grasp this incredible shift, we realize that Torah is a way of life, a voluntarily-adopted code of conduct that embraces every aspect of ordinary human living.   Crucial to this view of Torah is the biblical truth that I am responsible!  I am responsible to God, to others and, finally, to myself.  In very practical terms, the fear of God is the infinite weight of our responsibility for others.  No man comes into the world without this weight, although many have tried to avoid it or deflect it.  But the biblical Man knows that carrying the weight of responsibility for others is the fear of the Lord.  And it doesn’t really matter what you think about it.  It only matters that you do something about it! - Dr Skip Moen

Everywhere I look there are needs. It can be overwhelming unless I get into harmony with God’s plan. Only in His presence can I realize the work and actions He has for me; and He promises His yoke is easy and His burden is light. And He can say that because He has the power and strength to back it up and to back you up.

May your fear of the Lord be an incredibly motivating force in your life, empowering you to accomplish your purposes. May fulfilling those purposes bring you peace and joy.

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

Holy God, may my Fear of the Lord be not a paralyzing fear of doing nothing, but a motivating force helping me to accomplish your purposes by fulfilling the tasks you have for me. May it cause my life to be an encouragement to others and bring honor and glory to You.

When I saw Jesus, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid.” -Rev 1:17

Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. -Matthew 10:28

“I no longer fear God. I have come to love him, ‘for perfect love casts out fear’” -Abba Antony

Like “love”, “fear” can have a lot of definitions that don’t always seem to agree. I think to understand either, intimacy is necessary. Do you know what it means to love and fear your mom? God?

May your fear of the Lord be an incredibly motivating force in your life, empowering you to accomplish your purposes. May fulfilling those purposes bring you peace and joy.

Contributed by: Melissa Schultz, Cypress Elder

Holy God, may my Fear of the Lord be not a paralyzing fear of doing nothing, but a motivating force helping me to accomplish your purposes by fulfilling the tasks you have for me. May it cause my life to be an encouragement to others and bring honor and glory to You.

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, Deuteronomy 10:12 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you NOT to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel unsure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.  As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Brene Brown 

My understanding of “fear of the Lord” isn’t experienced as literal fear or anxiety around God or around my relationship with Him.  Instead, I experience “fear of the Lord” as a reminder of who He is and who He expects me to be.  It’s not about being fearful or scared and dimming ourselves in that fear, but in having a deep respect, reverence, and awe for who He is, then using that knowledge to be who He has created us to be.  

May your fear of the Lord be an incredibly motivating force in your life, empowering you to accomplish your purposes. May fulfilling those purposes bring you peace and joy.

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

Holy God, may my Fear of the Lord be not a paralyzing fear of doing nothing, but a motivating force helping me to accomplish your purposes by fulfilling the tasks you have for me. May it cause my life to be an encouragement to others and bring honor and glory to You.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. - Psalm 103:13

“For the good make use of this world in order to enjoy God, whereas the evil want to make use of God in order to enjoy the world.” - from The City of God by St. Augustine

Healthy fear is a sign of healthy respect and it is earned through the just application of strength and restraint. If I don’t show respect to my Creator, why would I expect His mercy?

May your fear of the Lord be an incredibly motivating force in your life, empowering you to accomplish your purposes. May fulfilling those purposes bring you peace and joy.

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

Oh most compassionate heavenly Father, Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness for without them we would have no hope.

The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. - Exodus 34:6

And that you are yet alive is due to God, who spares you that you may be admonished to repent and reform your lives. It is He who has permitted you, ungrateful as you are, to escape the sword of the enemy, by calling yourselves His servants, or by finding asylum in the sacred places of the martyrs. - from The City of God by St. Augustine

I suffer because of my own behaviors; the natural side effects of exercising my free will. Not because God is an angry god or has no compassion. I absolutely know God will save my soul, even though I don’t deserve it. But, I’m pretty sure He’s not going to save me from the consequences of my own actions in this world.

May you experience the compassion of our Heavenly Father in such a dynamic way that you accept Him and His gifts. 

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

Oh most compassionate heavenly Father, Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness for without them we would have no hope.

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. -Luke 6:36 (NLT)

Compassion: “To recognize the suffering of others and then take action to help.”

Compassion is not something that runs out of God, it is something that God is. -A.W. Tozer

When you approach God you never have to worry that maybe He got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Neither do you have to hope that maybe He is in a good mood today. Compassion is not something that God expresses when conditions are right…compassionate is who God is. We should expect compassion when we come to God just as we expect water when we approach a faucet.

May you experience the compassion of our Heavenly Father in such a dynamic way that you accept Him and His gifts. 

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

Oh most compassionate heavenly Father, Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness for without them we would have no hope.

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! - God to the people of Israel, Isaiah 49:15

Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. - Luke 6:36

Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.” ― Henri Nouwen.

Compassion is the first word God uses to describe Himself. Its the beginning of how He wants to be understood and I believe the first word He wants His followers to be understood by. What word first describes you?

May you experience the compassion of our Heavenly Father in such a dynamic way that you accept Him and His gifts. 

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

Oh most compassionate heavenly Father, Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness for without them we would have no hope.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Compassion comes from the Latin word “compati,” which literally means “to suffer with.” It is more than mere empathy and care—it is the desire to help someone who is suffering, and to be able to help that person ease their pain.

“We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

When I describe "compassion" or what it means "to be compassionate;" I usually use the words kindness, loving and caring. But it is much more than that. Compassion touches my emotions, but that emotion has to become an action to be called compassion. When I am aware of the suffering of another and I do something about it, that's when I am reflecting the compassionate love of God. Let's be deliberately compassionate, like our God.

May you experience the compassion of our Heavenly Father in such a dynamic way that you accept Him and His gifts. 

Contributed by: Melissa Schultz, Cypress Elder

Oh most compassionate heavenly Father, Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness for without them we would have no hope.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

“In the life of Jesus, we get an example of how we’re to live in the world.  We know we’re here to welcome people who look like strangers.  We’re here to offer places in our homes for those with nowhere to go.  We’re here to be friends with the lonely, the ones who were told they weren’t worthy of love.  The Bible is constantly talking about care for the widows and orphans, the most vulnerable in society.  You don’t need another Bible study about the “will of God”; perhaps you need to decide you will simply do something.” Bob Goff 

I need this reminder so frequently…that God’s perspective is so much grander and more beautiful than anything I could imagine.  That His purpose is good, and although I may not have a direct vision of the ways in which He is working, it expands far beyond that which I can see.  His compassion is far, and deep, and wide, and I should always be looking for ways to deepen and widen my extension of compassion within this world.   

May you experience the compassion of our Heavenly Father in such a dynamic way that you accept Him and His gifts. 

Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

Oh most compassionate heavenly Father, Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness for without them we would have no hope.

“Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;”  Exodus 34:6

Compassionate is the Hebrew word rachum.  This word is never used in any other description except as a characteristic of God.  The first characteristic that God tells us about Himself is that He is merciful and forgiving.  That’s what compassionate means.  Merciful – someone who does not give us what we deserve – someone who decides not to collect the debt.  And forgiving – someone who puts aside the guilty verdict and pardons the criminal – someone who pays the price we owe so that we can go free.  Compassionate is not about feeling sorry for someone.  It is not about empathy or sympathy or shared anguish.  It is about action.  It is about doing something that will change the situation.  Mercy – set aside the punishment.  Forgiveness – issue a pardon.  Action words. Dr Skip Moen

It is hard to believe that God would have such compassion for a sinner such as I, and that His mercy and forgiveness are always available to me. His compassion is always there, I just need to trust and receive it. His willingness to show mercy and forgiveness to us is often too much for us to believe. And therein lies the problem, we can’t accept it because we cannot forgive ourselves let alone trust that the creator of the universe would love us enough to forgive us. Believe it, and then take action like He has done for you by accepting His will and purpose for your life.

May you experience the compassion of our Heavenly Father in such a dynamic way that you accept Him and His gifts.