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. 

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

Thank you God for extending Your grace to me. Now help me to be gracious to other in a way that brings honor and glory to You and draw others into your kingdom.

I pleaded with the Lord to take it away  from me (change my circumstances). But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. -Paul the Apostle (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God’s grace is the experience of the second wind, when even though what you want is clarity and resolution, what you get is stamina and poignancy and the strength to hang on. -Anne Lamott

I do not understand the mystery of why one person sees their circumstances change and for another it’s a painful “deja vu all over again”. Or why when I long for clarity to understand, instead I’m given the stamina to get through the day. What I do know is that either way I’m experiencing the grace of God…and it is always, only…enough.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be GRACIOUS to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

Thank you God for extending Your grace to me. Now help me to be gracious to other in a way that brings honor and glory to You and draw others into your kingdom.

God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone. This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age. -Titus 2:11-12

“Grace is not opposed to effort; it’s opposed to earning. Effort is action; earning is attitude.”

“The sinner is not the one who uses a lot of grace; the saint uses more grace. The saint burns grace like a 747 burns fuel on takeoff, because everything they do is a manifestation of grace.” - Dallas Willard

God is the most gracious being that will ever exist. God’s grace teaches us to live godly lives. We need more of God’s grace, not less. You can’t take grace too far, but you can take it wrongly. God’s grace is teaching. Are you listening?

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be GRACIOUS to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

Thank you God for extending Your grace to me. Now help me to be gracious to other in a way that brings honor and glory to You and draw others into your kingdom.

"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, maintaining love for thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin " Exodus 34:6,7

Grace is God's best idea. His decision to ravage a people by love, to rescue passionately, and to restore justly - what rivals it? Of all his wondrous works, grace, in my estimation, is the magnum opus. -Max Lucado

God is gracious. That is a powerful statement. God is gracious...He is compassionate, desiring to help me through my suffering. He is kind and loving. He is willing to forgive me and show me mercy. Just like being compassionate, to be gracious means you take action. Continue to be compassionate, and now add the act of grace to your daily routines. 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be GRACIOUS to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

Thank you God for extending Your grace to me. Now help me to be gracious to other in a way that brings honor and glory to You and draw others into your kingdom.

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassions. The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. -Psalm 116:5-9

How is the World supposed to see the grace of God if the people of God are not gracious to each other or those outside the church? -Matt Brown

I am so happy for God’s grace to me! But, how willing am I to show the same type of grace to those around me. It is so easy to get caught up thinking it is all about me. It is not! It is about God’s kingdom and what is best for my community (my tribe) and in helping others become a part of His kingdom. God help me to be gracious to others as you have been so gracious to me.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be GRACIOUS to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Contributed by: Melissa Schulz, Cypress Elder

Thank you God for extending Your grace to me. Now help me to be gracious to other in a way that brings honor and glory to You and draw others into your kingdom.

For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 

“Grace needs nothing added to it.  It’s either you believe it’s all God’s grace or you believe you have to help God do his work.  God saved the believer by his grace, and the believer cannot take any credit for it—none whatsoever.  It is totally a gift from God, and you have to understand that you don’t pay for a gift nor do you work for a gift.” Thomas Young 

“…the believer cannot take any credit for it—none whatsoever.  It is totally a gift from God…” What reassuring words, especially in times when we’re feeling like we’re not enough…in the moments we have sinned…in the moments we feel we’re not measuring up to our potential and to what God created us to do in this world.  His grace is a gift.  We have done nothing to earn it, nor can it be taken away.  We don’t have to hustle our way to move closer to God’s grace.  We have been saved by our faith.  Allow the beauty of that to wash over you in this moment. 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be GRACIOUS to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

Thank you God for extending Your grace to me. Now help me to be gracious to other in a way that brings honor and glory to You and draw others into your kingdom.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. - 1 Peter 5:10

“...Since the mind, which was meant to be reasonable and intelligent, has, by dark and inveterate vices, become too weak to adhere joyously to His unchangeable light (or even to bear it) until, by gradual renewal and healing, it is made fit for such happiness, its first need was to be instructed by faith and purified.” - from The City of God by St. Augustine

A child is not ready to experience the full weight of adult responsibility and should not be expected to. They should be lovingly taught and instructed, helped to grow strong enough to survive and thrive. I am not yet ready to enjoy Paradise. I probably couldn’t even comprehend it. I was put here for a reason, and part of that reason was to properly prepare me to appreciate and enjoy what is to come.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be GRACIOUS to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

Lord God, as you are slow to anger, so may it be within me. Help me to overcome my need to be right and have control. Allow your truth to calm my spirit that I may respond in love to myself and others.

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. - Romans 1:18

“These men you may today see thronging the churches with us, tomorrow crowding the theatres with the godless. But we have the less reason to despair of the reclamation even of such persons, if among our most declared enemies there are now some, unknown to themselves, who are predestined to become our friends.” - from The City of God by St. Augustine

Real justice is coming for all of us. To those who were given much, much will be expected. Lies and misdirections may work in the Court of Public Opinion, but they will be of no use before God. But, just because my enemy is my enemy today, does not mean they will be forever. God is in no hurry to pass judgement. He has revealed His will, and given us the time and ability to change, grow and accept His Truth. My anger should be as slow as His.

May the “God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” reveal His truth to you that you may experience His great love for you and make you into the person He intended for you to be.

Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

Lord God, as you are slow to anger, so may it be within me. Help me to overcome my need to be right and have control. Allow your truth to calm my spirit that I may respond in love to myself and others.

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, … Exodus 34:6

God is slow to anger, a truth repeated vigorously throughout Scripture. Abba isn’t driven by anger or swayed by sin. He is God. His anger is just, and His consequence for our sin merciful. God’s love is the focus of His character. He is quick to love us, to the point of sending Jesus to save us. God’s ways are just and good because that is who He is. - Meg Bucher

I struggled with inappropriate anger outbursts for the first 50 years of my life. I prayed often to be delivered. However, it wasn’t until I received truth regarding my value in Christ that the anger issue greatly diminished. Turns out, anger was my coping mechanism for dealing with feelings of inadequacy that stemmed from an experience with my father. A lie based belief about inadequacy was planted in that experience. The truth resolved it. I’m thankful that my God does not demonstrate inappropriate anger outburst or deal with lie-based beliefs since he is the source of all truth.

May the “God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” reveal His truth to you that you may experience His great love for you and make you into the person He intended for you to be.

Contributed by: Melissa Schultz, Cypress Elder

Lord God, as you are slow to anger, so may it be within me. Help me to overcome my need to be right and have control. Allow your truth to calm my spirit that I may respond in love to myself and others.

You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven.  You gave them regulations and laws that are just and right, and decrees and commands that are good.  You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses.  In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hands to give them.  But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands.  They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them.  They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery.  But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.  Therefore you did not desert them. Nehemiah 9:13-17 

“All forms of anger are not equal, and not all forms of anger are wrong.  According to the Bible, it is possible to be angry and loving…furious and full of grace…all at the same time.  Just as there are toxic forms of anger, there are healthy ones.  Rather than steal and diminish life like poison or a wildfire, healthy anger leads to live-giving outcomes.  Compelled by love, healthy anger resembles the Spirit’s fruit of patience.  It resists the impulse to strike back or seek revenge.  It leaves justice to the courts and to natural consequence.  It leaves both the discernment and execution of justice in God’s hands.  And yet, where possible, healthy anger is also harnessed to destroy.  Whereas toxic anger destroys the good in order to promote evil, healthy anger seeks to destroy evil in order to promote and protect the good.”  -Scott Sauls 

I don’t know about you, but I find reading Exodus a humbling experience.  I am so quick to notice what feels like never ending complaints from the Israelites; this water is too bitter…we’re hungry…we need food other than manna…you should have left us in Egypt, and then…after everything…they turn from God.  I start to feel outrage rising in me.  And it continues to rise with each verse.  Until I begin to recognize all of the times that I have been Israel.  The times when I’ve prayed so passionately for something, only to complain or become bitter when the journey doesn’t evolve as I envisioned.  Yet the Lord, in his perfect patience, never turns away.  He is gracious, compassionate, and faithful.  Always. 

May the “God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” reveal His truth to you that you may experience His great love for you and make you into the person He intended for you to be.

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

Lord God, as you are slow to anger, so may it be within me. Help me to overcome my need to be right and have control. Allow your truth to calm my spirit that I may respond in love to myself and others.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Ps. 103:8).

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”  (James 1:19-20)

God’s anger is expressed by handing us over to the consequences of our own decisions -Tim Mackie

God wouldn’t be good if he didn't get angry at evil. I’m grateful God gets angry and I’m thankful it doesn’t look like my anger. In Jesus life, death and resurrection we see God’s anger at evil and his love for people working together to give us the full picture of both His anger and His love.

May the “God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” reveal His truth to you that you may experience His great love for you and make you into the person He intended for you to be.

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

Lord God, as you are slow to anger, so may it be within me. Help me to overcome my need to be right and have control. Allow your truth to calm my spirit that I may respond in love to myself and others.

“…I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity”. -Jonah (Jonah 4:2)

Where there is anger there is pain underneath. -Eckhart Tolle

In Psychology 101 I learned that anger is a secondary emotion in response to a real or perceived hurt. In Theology 101 I learned that the scriptures speak of God expressing anger…but He is slow to anger. If my Psychology 101 learning applies to God, then what would pain God? And if what I learned in Theology 101 is accurate then why would He choose to absorb so much pain before He expresses anger?

May the “God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” reveal His truth to you that you may experience His great love for you and make you into the person He intended for you to be.

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

Lord God, as you are slow to anger, so may it be within me. Help me to overcome my need to be right and have control. Allow your truth to calm my spirit that I may respond in love to myself and others.

"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, maintaining love for thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin " Exodus 34:6,7

..."For example, if we become angry, our amygdala, the small primitive emotional structure in the brain, can cause us to have an "emotional hijacking." At this point we are using the reactive area in the brain that causes the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which surges through our body and may prevent logical thought. This action leads to the fight-or-flight response, which could cause us to do something we might regret." - Marilee Sprenger, Social-Emotional Learning and the Brain

Anger literally shuts your brain down. There is no listening, no understanding, no support when one is angry. Thankfully, God is slow to anger and listens, understands when I mess up or when I get angry. He is not slow to anger, holding onto His disappointment and letting it simmer until it boils over. No God is compassionate, gracious and slow to anger. He is with me and you, ready to steadfastly love us and be faithful to us. I am thankful that God is slow to anger. He hears me and listens. He loves me and understands. That's who I want to be when I grow up. 

May the “God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” reveal His truth to you that you may experience His great love for you and make you into the person He intended for you to be.

Contributed by: Melissa Schultz, Cypress Elder

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me and may You teach me to demonstrate my faith in you through obedience. And when my faith falters, will you send your Spirit to lift me up. 

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 

“…when we have been brought very low and helped, sorely wounded and healed, cast down and raised again, have given up all hope—and been suddenly snatched from danger, and placed in safety; and when these things have been repeated to us and in us a thousand times over, we begin to learn to trust simply to the word and power of God, beyond and against appearances…” -John Newton 

When I’m deep in the midst of heartache or struggle, or knee deep in pain and worry, the only thing I need to focus on is the truth of God’s faithfulness.  Although that moment may have me feeling alone in my struggle, the history of my relationship with God reminds me that this is not true.  I have been through the fire before.  And it was hot, and painful, and uncomfortable, and at moments I felt alone.  But each and every time He sustained me through the journey, carrying me when it felt like I couldn’t take the next step.   

May your Heavenly Father help you to trust in His faithfulness such that you are free to be the person you were made to be, able to accomplish your purposes and to bring honor and glory to His name.

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me and may You teach me to demonstrate my faith in you through obedience. And when my faith falters, will you send your Spirit to lift me up. 

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. - 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“But evils are so thoroughly overcome by good, that though they are permitted to exist, for the sake of demonstrating how the most righteous foresight of God can make a good use even of them, yet good can exist without evil, as in the true and supreme God Himself, and as in every invisible and visible celestial creature that exists above this murky atmosphere; but evil cannot exist without good, because the natures in which evil exists, in so far as they are natures, are good.” - from The City of God by St. Augustine

You are being called. Why do you ignore it, drown it out, twist the words? You are being called to become better, not remain the same. Will you answer the call? Where is your faith? Make no mistake - you are being called. Are you faithful or faithless?

May your Heavenly Father help you to trust in His faithfulness such that you are free to be the person you were made to be, able to accomplish your purposes and to bring honor and glory to His name.

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me and may You teach me to demonstrate my faith in you through obedience. And when my faith falters, will you send your Spirit to lift me up. 

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. -Matthew 28:20

“Christ with me,Christ before me,Christ behind me,Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.” ― Saint Patrick

God can’t help but be both present and faithful. How fortunate we are to have such a good God. Do you see Him and His faithfulness in your life like Saint Patrick does?

May your Heavenly Father help you to trust in His faithfulness such that you are free to be the person you were made to be, able to accomplish your purposes and to bring honor and glory to His name.

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me and may You teach me to demonstrate my faith in you through obedience. And when my faith falters, will you send your Spirit to lift me up. 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.-Lamentations 3:22, 23

Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness Morning by morning new mercies I see All I have needed thy hand hath provided Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me -Thomas O. Chisholm

The sun broke over the eastern horizon this morning. As it did yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that, and so on and so on. And it did so regardless of how I behaved or how I treated our nearest star. If creation is this faithful…how much more the creator.

May your Heavenly Father help you to trust in His faithfulness such that you are free to be the person you were made to be, able to accomplish your purposes and to bring honor and glory to His name.

Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me and may You teach me to demonstrate my faith in you through obedience. And when my faith falters, will you send your Spirit to lift me up. 

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, Deuteronomy 7:9 

“God’s strength behind you, His concern for you, His love within you, and His arms beneath you are more than sufficient for the job ahead of you.” William Arthur Ward

Many of us are deceived into thinking we can handle things on our own. However, it’s the loving faithfulness of God who gives us all things to accomplish His will in our lives. Through His grace and faithfulness, we have everything necessary to finish well.

May your Heavenly Father help you to trust in His faithfulness such that you are free to be the person you were made to be, able to accomplish your purposes and to bring honor and glory to His name.

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me and may You teach me to demonstrate my faith in you through obedience. And when my faith falters, will you send your Spirit to lift me up. 

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

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

In my daily efforts to be more like God, it is encouraging to learn that I can grow in faithfulness in one small thing at a time. If the task or project or goal is overwhelming, I can be faithful in one small thing and my strength will grow to faithfully do the next step. And again my strength will grow and I will be able to keep moving forward. Faithfully one small thing at a time. Growing to be more like God in compassion, graciousness, slowness to anger and in faithfulness. 

Let's do this!

May your Heavenly Father help you to trust in His faithfulness such that you are free to be the person you were made to be, able to accomplish your purposes and to bring honor and glory to His name.

Contributed by: Taylor Fletcher, Worship Leader

Lord your loyalty to us is not conditional or based on our worth; it is an expression of your character. You simply are a generous and loving God. Compel us to reimagine why and how we can show loyalty back to you and others.

And surely I am with you always, to the very ends of the age. - Matthew 28:20

For God’s Word is something to sing about! He is true to his promises, his word can be trusted, and everything he does is reliable and right. The Lord loves seeing justice on the earth. Anywhere and everywhere you can find his faithful, unfailing love! Psalm 33:4-5

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” - Ruth (Ruth 1:16-17)

God is unavoidably loyal. He is not only fully present but fully committed and what He wants is always right and best for us. Memorize a verse from this week's Daily and God will use it to remind you of these very things when you need it.

May our loyal God help you to be loyal such that the kingdom grows and you and others are blessed.

Contributed by: Marq Caughell, Cypress Tribe Member

Lord your loyalty to us is not conditional or based on our worth; it is an expression of your character. You simply are a generous and loving God. Compel us to reimagine why and how we can show loyalty back to you and others.

The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled. - Joshua 21: 44-45

“But, in that final peace to which all our righteousness has reference, and for the sake of which it is maintained, as our nature shall enjoy a sound immortality and incorruption, and shall have no more vices, and as we shall experience no resistance either from ourselves or from others, it will not be necessary that reason should rule vices which no longer exist, but God shall rule the man, and the soul shall rule the body, with a sweetness and facility suitable to the felicity of a life which is done with bondage.” - from The City of God by St. Augustine

Loyalty should be earned. It is no virtue to be loyal to something or someone who has not earned it. Loyalty to a brand, group or individual can be noble or it can be foolish. There is no honor in being loyal to a cheater or liar. And yet, God is always loyal. More than I am willing to be towards other people and more loyal to me than I am to Him. 

May our loyal God help you to be loyal such that the kingdom grows and you and others are blessed.

Contributed by: Keith Killen, Cypress Tribe Member

Lord your loyalty to us is not conditional or based on our worth; it is an expression of your character. You simply are a generous and loving God. Compel us to reimagine why and how we can show loyalty back to you and others.

Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

When it comes to Loyalty, God is the standard. -Asari Offiong (Sarytotz)

This lost world will never be reached and brought back to loyalty to God, until the children of God wake up to the fact that they have a mission in the world. If we are true Christians we should all be missionaries. -D. L. Moody

When it comes to loyalty, God’s loyalty to us is never in questions for he is the standard for loyalty. The question is about our loyalty to God for He has a mission and purpose for all of us. With loyalty and obedience, God’s kingdom is built, He is glorified and we and others are blessed.

May our loyal God help you to be loyal such that the kingdom grows and you and others are blessed.

Contributed by: Jacque Poole, Cypress Tribe Member

Lord your loyalty to us is not conditional or based on our worth; it is an expression of your character. You simply are a generous and loving God. Compel us to reimagine why and how we can show loyalty back to you and others.

"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, maintaining love for thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin " Exodus 34:6,7

"Lord, grant that anger or other bitterness does not reign over us, but that your grace, genuine kindness, loyalty, and every kind of friendliness, generosity, and gentleness may reign in us. Amen"-Martin Luther

Another way to describe loyalty is "abounding in steadfast love." Loyal is defined as 'giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.' I would like loyalty to be a descriptor for my life.

I have written the prayer of Martin Luther onto my daily calendar to remind me to be compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, faithful and loyal. Keep moving forward. 

May our loyal God help you to be loyal such that the kingdom grows and you and others are blessed.

Contributed by: Melissa Schultz, Cypress Elder

Lord your loyalty to us is not conditional or based on our worth; it is an expression of your character. You simply are a generous and loving God. Compel us to reimagine why and how we can show loyalty back to you and others.

When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.  Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. - Psalm 73:21-24 

“Love, no matter how you come at it, is a huge risk.  It makes it easier for me to remember that God will never reject me because I am not good enough and that any community that has His heart will embrace me as I am. Jesus invites us into a community where imperfect people can find acceptance, love, forgiveness, and a new beginning.” -Erwin Raphael McManus 

I sometimes struggle to wrap my head around the all-encompassing love and loyalty of God.  My relationship with Him is unlike every other relationship I have ever known.  There’s no fear of rejection, or expectations for my perfection to sustain this bond.  This relationship is rooted not in who I am, but in who He is.  This relationship is the greatest gift I have ever known. 

May our loyal God help you to be loyal such that the kingdom grows and you and others are blessed.

Contributed by: Douglas Poole, Lead Pastor

Lord your loyalty to us is not conditional or based on our worth; it is an expression of your character. You simply are a generous and loving God. Compel us to reimagine why and how we can show loyalty back to you and others.

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -Deuteronomy 31:8

Loyalty: To be unswerving in allegiance such as a loyal spouse; loyal friend, or a loyal dog.            Merriam-Webster

When I am with someone of unquestioned loyalty I feel like I just inhaled a deep breath of peace; gulped down a refreshing glass of hope; and stepped in a zone of safety where I can be authentically vulnerable. The scripture says the Lord will never, never ever, leave you nor forsake you. And as for what awaits you tomorrow…He has already gone before you into that space. So breathe dear child, breathe in His peace. Drink down hope to the last drop. And rest safely…for your God is a Loyal God.

May our loyal God help you to be loyal such that the kingdom grows and you and others are blessed.