A Good and Spacious Land

A Good and Spacious Land TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: So I have come down to rescue them…and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land… Exodus 3:8, NIV. TODAY'S WORD: Notice in today’s verse that God did not say He would bring His people into a small land; a little place, tight or crowded. No, receive this into your spirit: Just as God brought the children of Israel into a good and spacious land, so He will do the same for you! He wants to take you to the land of “more than enough,” a land of plenty of room flowing with increase, good breaks and opportunity. He wants you to live in a land where you not only have enough for yourself, but you’re so blessed that you can be a blessing to other people. If you’re not in a good and spacious place today, the challenge is: don’t settle where you are. This is not your permanent address! It’s only temporary. Keep standing, keep believing, keep pressing forward and walk into the good and spacious land God has in store for you! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. I trust that You are leading me into a new land, a spacious land filled with blessing and opportunity. I choose to stand and keep my eyes on You as You lead me forward in Your purposes in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PS...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sgk8qStNRY

Why Doesn’t God Reject Sinners? by Rick Warren “[God] will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:9-10, 13) The Bible says there is no condemnation for our sin, but it does not say there are no consequences. Every time you disobey God, you hurt yourself and you hurt other people. You lose your fellowship with Christ. You lose your effectiveness and joy here on Earth. You lose rewards in Heaven. But, you do not lose your salvation. Why is that? Why doesn’t God just kick us out when we blow it? Why doesn’t God reject believers when we sin? His love is unconditional. God doesn’t say, “I love you if” or “I love you because” — just “I love you ... period!” God will never stop loving you, because you are a recipient of his grace. Lamentations 3:22 says, “[God’s] compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction” (LB). Your salvation isn’t based on your performance. The Bible says, “He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5a NLT). You can’t earn your way into Heaven, buy your way into Heaven, work your way to Heaven, or bluff your way to Heaven. The only way you ever have any hope of getting into Heaven is by the grace of God. Jesus has already taken your punishment. The law of double jeopardy says you cannot be tried for the same crime twice. That’s true in God’s book, too. People are not punished for the same crime or the same sin twice. Two thousand years ago, Jesus stretched his arms out on the cross and took the punishment for your sin. He served your term. The price is paid in full! Jesus understands your human weaknesses. God is sympathetic and understanding. He knows your frailties, your faults, and how you’re wired. And he is patient with you. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus lived in human flesh for 33 years, so he understands your weaknesses. God doesn’t keep grudges. The Bible says, “[God] will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (Psalm 103:9-10, 13). If you are a believer, God is not angry with you. Why? Because all of the punishment was taken on the cross. You may be thinking, “You don’t know how far I’ve fallen. You don’t know what I’ve done.” No, I don’t. But God does. If you think you’ve strayed too far from God, this is what God says to you: “Come back to me, you unfaithful children, and I will forgive you for being unfaithful” (Jeremiah 3:22a NCV). Talk It Over What can you learn about how to love others from the way God loves you? Why do you think we try to hide our sin from God even when we know he sees and knows everything? What do you think it means to fear God?