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God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Someone may ask, “But why should I rise early?” To remain too long in bed is a waste of time. Wasting time is unbecoming of a saint who is bought by the precious blood of Jesus. His time and all he has is to be used for the Lord. If we sleep more than is necessary for the refreshment of the body, it is wasting time the Lord has entrusted us to be used for His glory, for our own benefit, and for the benefit of the saints and unbelievers around us… Anyone who spends one, two, three hours in prayer and meditation before breakfast will soon discover the beneficial effect early rising has on the outward and inward man.
George Muller

Faithfulness, then, is not a matter of success or failure from the standpoint of results. If there is faithfulness, failure does not bring blame nor should it lead to a sense of guilt! Where there is faithfulness to discharge one duties regardless of the results there is success in God’s sight. This points us to the true issue in our responsibility which is limited. We are to be faithful to the gifts, abilities, and opportunities God gives us and leave the results to Him.
J. Hampton Keathley

    • Gift of Mercy

    Posted on 

                                        GIFT OF MERCY

    BASIC MOTIVATION DEFINED
    Motivated to identify with and comfort those who are in distress.

    AMPLIFICATION
    To feel empathy with the misfortunes and misery of others.  To mentally and
    emotionally relate to their needs and give them aid.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE EXERCISING THIS GIFT
    1.  The ability to feel an atmosphere of joy or distress in an individual or group.
    (a)  They can walk into a room and they can “feel” it.
    (b)  They are more sensitive to hurts than to joy.
    2.  An attraction to and an understanding of people who are in distress.
    3.  A desire to remove hurts and bring healing to others.
    4.  A greater concern for mental distress than physical distress.
    5.  An avoidance of firmness unless he sees how it will bring benefit and healing.
    6.  A sensitivity to words and actions which will hurt other people.
    They can also be hurt personally by insensitive people.
    7.  An ability to discern sincere motives in other people.
    (A Prophet has a similar characteristic, but his has more to do with the
    character of the other person; which this has more to do with the “feelings”
    to the other person.)
    8.  An enjoyment and unity with those who are sensitive to the needs and feelings
    of others.
    9.  A closing of his spirit to those who are insincere or insensitive.

    DANGERS IN EXERCISING THIS GIFT
    1.  Being proud of his ability to empathize.
    2.  Resenting others who are not sensitive to personal needs.
    3.  Failing to be firm when necessary.
    4.  Being guided by emotions rather than logic.

    MISUNDERSTANDINGS
    1.  The avoidance of firmness may appear to be weakness and indecisiveness.
    2.  The sensitivity to the spirit and feelings of others may cause some to feel
    he is guided by emotions rather than logic.
    3.  The attraction and understanding of those in distress may be misinterpreted by
    those of the opposite sex.
    (a)  Also, may be misunderstood by a mate who has not discerned his
    partner’s gift.
    4.  The sensitivity to words and actions which cause hurts may appear to be taking
    up another’s offenses and “butting in where he has no place.”
    5.  The ability to detect insincere motives may cause some to feel he is hard
    to get to know.
    6.  His sensitivity may cause others to be less than frank with him at times, for
    fear of “hurting” him.

     

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