19 January 2020 Pastor Larry’s Weekly Thoughts “Everyone Needs Compassion” Brothers and Sisters, as your Pastor, I want you to know that my wife Chin Sun and I love everyone and thank you for your support and prayers.  I was so amazed, but not surprised by what our God did last Sunday to give us the God-Sized Vision for 2020. God showed up and showed out with blessings for all of us.  We had a great number of members and visitors that gathered to receive and hear Part 1 of Vision 2020.  Glory to God! I know and believe in my heart that God is going to do a great and mighty work at Belmont this year and beyond.  I want to share with you my thoughts on Compassion.  I believe everyone needs compassion. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus had compassion for many, many people that he healed through their faith. The question is:  What does it really mean to have compassion? Well, let me tell you my thoughts on what compassion means.  It is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. In Matthew 9:27-38 (NKJV) we get a glimpse of Christ’s compassion in the miraculous healing of two blind men and one demon-possessed man. Throughout His earthly ministry, He went about preaching the gospel and healing “through all the towns and villages” (v. 35). Why? “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 36). The world today is still full of troubled and hurting people who need the Savior’s gentle care. Like a shepherd who leads, protects, and cares for his sheep, Jesus extends His compassion to all who come to Him (Hebrews 11:28). No matter where we are in life and what we’re experiencing, in Him we find a heart overflowing with tenderness and care. And when we’ve been a beneficiary of God’s loving compassion, we can’t help but want to extend it to others. True compassion is heart-broken over the eternal destiny of sinners. It is the compassion of God that moved Him to save rebellious sinners like us (Romans 12.1). True compassion meets the pressing physical needs of people. Empathy is to completely identify with the needs and suffering of others.  We grow compassionate as we treat others with kindness. We can start by doing good. Be blessed, Brothers and Sisters.  Stay focused in One Accord. Pastor Larry