His mercy endures -- forever

Happy New Year!!!

Our Daily Bread
Like I mentioned a few times, I watch a lot of movies.  One familiar scene is where a powerful enemy is brought to his knees.  He looks up and asks for "mercy" when death is imminent even though he never showed any!  It is during these mercy scenes that I think of the Holly Cole song "God will".

"Well God does but I don't

And God will but I won't

That's the difference between God and me"

Yes, that is the difference between God and us!  I love the reference to Psalm 136 that repeats the phrase “His mercy endures forever.”  Yes, it does!  We have that assurance over and over in the Bible.  We use this phrase in our corporate prayers sometimes at church.  Many of us don't allow God's mercy to permeate us.  We may let God's mercy extend down to us, but we don't have mercy on ourselves!  For the new year, let us allow God's mercy to permeate each fiber of our being!

Lord, we thank you and praise you for your mercy!  It does endure forever!  

Wellness Wednesday
It is 2014!  Wow!  So many possibilities for the new year!  So much baggage from previous years to drag behind us!  Yikes!  What will you make of the new year?  Many of us will make some attempt at New Years resolutions.  What are yours?  May I suggest a few tips?  I will also share my resolutions.

Two tips:  SMART and a resolution buddy
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.  You may have heard this at work when creating your yearly goals.  It is a good idea to have at least some of your resolutions follow the same guidelines.  There may be some that will not, for example, "I want to be a better Christian this year".  While there are some specific actions that you can take to move in that direction, the measurable element may be an issue!  No worries!  Do the best you can!

I also recommend having a resolution buddy.  It is sort of like a workout buddy, but not a sweaty!  ha!  Have someone that you share your resolutions with and that you trust to be accountable to.  Have breakfast or lunch or coffee and share progress.  Make corrections or adjustments in your goals along the way if needed.

Have a great 2014!  May the Lord be with you!

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As wise King Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).