Glory {Art} Rewind 2018, Compassion

Today we are looking back on a study about compassion from 2010. I hope you are as excited about this study as I am. Enjoy!

The Study
Are you so caught up in your own struggles or busyness that you fail to see the needs of those around you? Are you sensitive and compassionate towards others or are you selfish? Or on the other end of the spectrum are you feeling as though no one cares or is insensitive to your needs? Do you need some compassion right now? If you feel like that, I am sure there are many around you that feel that way too.

Compassion is meeting people where they are in life, spending time with them, not judging them, and most importantly loving them as God loves them. You can show compassion to anyone even to people you do not know—to the cashier at the grocery store, the bank teller, your postal carrier, a passerby in your neighborhood­, anyone! When God brings someone to you whether a stranger or a friend, show them the compassion that Christ showed to everyone around Him.

Matthew 9:36 "When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Matthew 15:32 "Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, 'I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.'"

Luke 7:13 "When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, 'Don’t cry.'"

Today He could be using you to accomplish His task. Are you sensitive to His leading and to those around you? Are you reaching out, meeting people where they are, and touching them? As we look to God in all things, our compassion grows for others. Showing that compassion and unconditional love draws people to Christ! How awesome and amazing is that?

As I shared this word back in 2010 with one of my daughter’s, she immediately said "Mom, that reminds me of the song 'Mighty to Save.'" If you have never heard that song before, listen below focusing on the very first verse:

“Mighty to Save”
Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Notice again that first verse: 'Everyone needs compassion.' Yes, everyone!!! Not just the people you like or the people you have time for but everyone. Over and over the Bible talks about the Lord's compassion. He has compassion on us; therefore, we need to have compassion for others.

Nehemiah 9:17b ". . . But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love."

Psalm 111:4 "He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate."

Psalm 116:5 "The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion."

Psalm 145:9 "The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made."

Isaiah 30:18 "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"

Lamentations 3:22-23 "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

If His compassions do not fail and are new every morning, how can you go out today and show that same compassion to someone else?

Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

Journaling

• What compassions has the Lord shown you this week?
• What compassions have you shown someone else this week?
• How has someone shown compassion to you this week?

The Art
Goodness I struggled with this page. I really wanted to use this scrap piece of fabric on my table but I struggled. Usually I have a blast with these, and they come together quickly. Not this one. I guess I should have worked on something else or forgotten the piece of fabric. Ha! Anyway, I used a line from the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" based on Lamentations 3:22-23 for my page since it was just perfect for today's study.

Original Study Link
To see this original study from 2010 on compassion, click here.

This week, will you look for someone that needs a listening ear? Will you show that unconditional love and compassion towards them? Join us on our Facebook page, and remember to see all of our 2018 lessons, visit this post here. Compassionately in Christ,