A Happy Healthy Church: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

WORSHIP: CELEBRATE

Need a lift today? Let the Bible tell you just how wonderful your God is. Here are just four of his marvelous characteristics: "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8).

The Lord is gracious: Sometimes you don't generate very wonderful, cozy, cuddly feelings in other people's hearts, least of all in God's. Still, God treats you better than you deserve. He has decided to love you, regardless of your past. That's what grace is.

The Lord is compassionate: God suffers with you. When politicians say they feel your pain, they don't even know who you are. But God feels your pain, knows who you are, and does things to help you because your pain is now personal to him through Christ.

The Lord is slow to anger: Aren't you glad Scripture doesn't say, "God, you have a hair-trigger temper"? Or, "You never forget when I mess up"? Or, "You keep accurate, detailed records of all my debts"? Don't you love it when God is patient with you and cuts you some slack?

The Lord is rich in love: He isn't stingy with you. He gave everything he had--his one and only Son--to buy you the forgiveness you could never earn or deserve. If he didn't withhold his dearest treasure, he will surely give you the littler things as well.