When He Had Stopped Speaking

I was reading today's NCC devotional about Launch Out Into The Deep and came across something else I caught in the Spirit.

Luke 5:4
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

The devotional was talking about taking that step of faith, of getting out of your comfort zone and doing what your heart desires. I read that and then I saw more. I read this verse and realized something. Simon was told to launch out in faith when He had stopped speaking. Just wanted to encourage everyone to step out in faith.

The way I see it, any Pastor who preaches and shares about the word of God, about the grace of God, about the mercy of God, that person is a representation of God, of our High Priest. When God stops speaking, when Sunday is over and Monday is here, when the work starts and its time to get up early every morning, when it's time to go through that stacks of bills in your mail, realize that that is the time to launch out in faith.

Isaiah 55:8-13
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways, says Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from the heavens, and does not return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring out and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall certainly do what I sent it to do. For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break out before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn, the fir tree shall come up; and instead of the brier, the myrtle tree shall come up; and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off.

Mercies Part II

LOL! Apparently that was not the song I was thinking about in the shower. This is the one... the lost lyrics found that receptive part of my brain and I suddenly realized this is the song I was trying to figure out the words to that drifting tune.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His Mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning
New every morning
Great is thy faithfulness, Oh Lord
Great is thy faithfulness

The Steadfast Love Of The Lord
Words & Music by Robert Davidson, 1974, 1975

Mercies Part I

A pair of double rainbows over Suntec City (Tower 4) taken about 6 plus in the evening, after Sunday's message on rainbow and it's significance!!

There is a slightly softer rainbow above the more vivid one. =)

I was in the shower and suddenly thought of an old old song I used to sing back when I was attending Sunday School at my aunt's church Paya Lebar Methodist. It's strange but I often think of ideas and get inspired while I'm taking my shower. lol! Anyway, I found the song and here are the lyrics:

Great is thy faithfulness
Oh God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with thee
Thou changest not
Thy compassions they fail not
As thou hast been
Thou forever will be

Summer and Winter
Springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join in all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love

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

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand aside

(Chorus)

Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Words: Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923
Music: William M. Runyan, 1923


It's a slow hymn but very soothing and reminds me how His mercies endureths forever. I was surfing on the word 'mercies' looking for this song when I came across a sermon by Dr. Jack Hyles called For His Mercy Endureth Forever.

Basically he expounds on the word mercy in the Bible and its context. My favourite portion was about how the word 'endure' comes from a greek word which means 'to conquer'! So His Mercies Conquers Forever!! How cool is that manz?! And also the part about Dr. Weigle practicing for Heaven. =)

This is another song that speaks of the mercies of Abba Father:

It's our confession Lord, that we are weak
So very weak, but You are strong
And though we've nothing Lord, to lay at your feet
We come to Your feet and say, 'Help us along'

A broken heart and a contrite spirit
You have yet to deny
Your heart of mercy beats with love's strong current
Let the river flow by your Spirit now, Lord we cry

Let Your mercies fall from heaven
Sweet mercies flow from heaven
New mercies for today
Shower them down Lord as we pray
Let Your mercies fall from heaven
Sweet mercies flow from heaven
New mercies for today
Shower them down Lord as we pray

Sweet Mercies
David Ruis, 1996