Thursday, January 31, 2008

Grace for your spirit Jan 31, 2008

Grace for your spirit
As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Ps 42:1

Do we pant and thirst for God for a long lasting relationship or for a quick fix to our troubles? Many have ran to the Lord thirsty to solve their problems, and then race away just as quickly when the crisis passes. These crisis solving trips rarely help us to be better in the long run. In this world, many rush into relationships, only to see them dissolve quickly and leaves them empty. When we come to God through Jesus, may we come thirsty to know Him and allow Him to know us, search us, and lead in the right way from now on.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Grace for your spirit Jan 30, 2008

Grace for your spirit
Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals I Cor. 15:33

Perhaps the most important part of this verse is the first four words. Do not be deceived. It is total deception that allows us to believe we can hang around with ungodly, worldly, people, and still maintain the high standards of being his disciple. Paul’s efforts in the church at Corinth proved this point. In the sin city of the first century, Christians were continually being drawn back into the world. In his second letter, he counseled that we should not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Christians have fought against these godly instructions since they were written, and they have suffered all the way. Do not be deceived. You will not be the exception to this truth from God. Watch your company.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Grace for your spirit Jan 29, 2008

Grace for your spirit
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Heb 3:13


Here the Bible draw a parallel between the children of Israel trying to get into the promised land, and Christians trying to make it to heaven. The children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and that whole generation died never entering the promised land. They did not encourage each other, they pulled each other down. God encourages us to learn from their mistakes, and do much better. It doesn’t take long for us to be hardened by the deceitfulness and sin, and think it would never happen to us. Think again. Encourage and allow encouragement every day. The trip is hard enough, don’t make it impossible.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, January 28, 2008

Grace for your spirit Jan 28, 2008

Grace for your spirit
For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. II Tim 1:6

The Lone Ranger had Tonto, the Apostle Paul had Timothy. Often Timothy was sent, and left in very difficult circumstance by Paul. As a young man Paul knew the it would be easy for Timothy to be timid, fearful, and ashamed. He knew Timothy had the flame of the Holy Spirit within him, but he also knew that flame would have to be fanned everyday to keep the fire going. As disciples, we have the divine nature in us as well, but the pitfalls are still the same. We need to kindle afresh the gift that God has granted to us. Feeling a little timid, fearful, and ashamed today? Fan the flame!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spiritPhilippians 4:23

Friday, January 25, 2008

Grace for your spirit January 25, 2008

Grace for your spirit
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone great than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Mt 11:11
Jesus thought a lot of John the Baptist. They were close relatives, and John had fulfilled his ministry clearing the way for Jesus. He brought repentance and baptism to his people. He spoke the truth, he walked the walk, and was he executed for his stand on the truth. John was a wonderful transition from the Old Law to the New Covenant, but he died before the coming of the kingdom. When we are obedient to Christ, are baptized into Him, we are in union with Jesus. We are the bride of Christ, and we are His friend. We may be the least in His kingdom, but the fact remains that we are part of the better kingdom. We may not be the greatest, but in Christ, He makes us great.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spiritPhilippians 4:23

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Grace for your spirit Jan 24, 2008

Grace for your spirit
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
Abraham was called a friend of God, and God spoke to Moses as a friend speaks with a friend. These were unusual relationships under the Old Law. Followers of God in the Old Testament were more like slaves that friends. They were given commands to follow, and the glory was behind the veil. Jesus came to die on the cross for our sins, to remove the veil, and reconcile us as friends, not slaves. We become His friend by loving Him, and following His commandments, with continuing commitment and communication. How are we doing with our friend? When we sing "What a friend we have in Jesus", are we proud or a little ashamed?

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spiritPhilippians 4:23

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Grace for your spirit Jan. 23, 2008

Grace for your spirit
A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. Isaiah 42:3
Isaiah spoke these words 700 years before Jesus came to earth. Isaiah was called the Messianic prophet, because of his proclamations of the coming Messiah. He spoke of judgment and comfort that would come. In the world, when most people come to power, they rally the strong about them and shoot their wounded. The coming Jesus would be different that all the others. He would always do what was right. He would not break the bruised, not extinguish our smoldering wicks. Rather, this ruler would heal our bruise and fan our flame. That is exactly what He did with mercy and righteous judgment. We can always put our trust in Him, because He is faithful. Now it is time for us to be faithful to Him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Grace For Your Spirit Jan 22, 2008

Grace for your spirit
Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. Matt 25:5
Jesus told a parable about getting ready for the coming of Jesus. The story is about ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom to come. While they waited, the hour being late, they all were asleep. The difference is shown in those who got prepared before they dozed off. Five had oil for their lamps and were ready. Five did not and were off getting ready when the bridegroom came. Five got in, and the other five were out. As believers we have the opportunity to be "brides of Christ." When our groom will come is unknown to us. We may get sleepy waiting, but the important thing is for us to be prepared before our nap. We must make preparation now with our obedience. Then when He comes, we will make it to the wedding feast on time.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Philippians 4:23