Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 30, 2009

Grace for your spirit

And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23

Labor Day weekend is Jerry Lewis telethon time. In our community, firemen fill the streets to fill up a fireman’s boot with money for the cause. They stand in front of stores with their big fire trucks. The lights are on. They dress in fireman’s gear and hold a boot. Most people know why they are there. I watched a few minutes and saw a pattern. Even with all the signs, most people only gave when the fireman asked them to give. Without the request, most ducked their heads and walked. It’s the parable of the fire boot. The church has big facilities, and most people know why. Still, most won’t come, they must be brought, most won’t study they must be taught, and most won’t accept Christ, they must be won. Let’s step up, step out, and compel them. .

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 29, 2009

Grace for your spirit

I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt 8:11-12

Jesus came to earth to establish a new covenant with His people. This covenant would be open to all people through faith. The old covenant was about to close. The table of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would not be the place to be served anymore. If you sit there, you won’t be helped. We may go into a restaurant and sit wherever we want, but if that section is closed, we won’t be eating today. It is important that we follow the directions of Jesus. At the table of faith, the service is excellent.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Monday, September 28, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 28, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Then David's anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die. He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion." II Samuel 12:5-6

King David got hot quick over sheep rustling. He knew exactly what the penalty was for sheep stealing, and he wouldn’t put up with it. He had quickly forgotten about his actions of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. He didn’t remember the penalty for his sins, but he sure was clear about the sins of others. The story about the sheep stealing was actually a parable about his sorry life, and he walked right into it. It is great to know God’s will for the lives of others. May we remember the ones that apply to us as well.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Friday, September 25, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 25, 2009

Grace for your spirit

I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me. So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness." Numbers 11:14-15

Moses was so burdened by the rebellion, anger, and complaining of God’s people, that he couldn’t stand it any more. He was about to go over the edge, and he didn’t want to see that happen. He appealed to God to either help him or kill him. Many Bible leaders reached this point in dealing with the so-called faithful, when they said, “Lord, help me or kill me”. I’m sure your leaders have been there, and may be there right now. May we never be a burden to those who teach us and lead us. Let’s not be a burden to their task, rather let’s pitch in and help bear their heavy burden. All leaders need encouragement and someone to lift their hand for victory. Let’s not make them beg.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Thursday, September 24, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 24, 2009

Grace for your spirit

The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9

God gave us all a mind, a spirit, and a heart, to be trained by His Word and guided by His Spirit. If our heart leads us without the Lord’s guidance, we are in a lot of trouble. Many times people confess that they know their behavior is wrong, but they can’t control their heart. When we say we know in our heart we are doing the right thing, have we determined who trained our heart? Was it the Spirit of God, or the guidance of the devil? We all have the sinful nature within us that works against the Spirit of Christ. The next time we have a decision to make, let’s lead with our heart into God’s Word. That is how we cure the sickness in our heart. Who can understand it? God can

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 23,, 2009

Grace for your spirit

When I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Ezekiel 3:18

This prophet was commissioned to speak God’s truth, warn the wicked, and allow them to live in freedom. If he didn’t, they would die. Further, God was going to hold him accountable for their loss, if he didn’t warn them. All Christians have most certainly been commissioned to warn the lost and bring them to life. Do we think we will be accountable for failing to do that? When we don’t, we literally help them perish. If we saw someone driving into the Grand Canyon, would we give them gas money for the trip, or disable their car? We will be called into account for our decision some day.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 22, 2009

Grace for your spirit

So a young man ran and told Moses and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp."Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, "Moses, my lord, restrain them. "But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD'S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!" Num 11:27-29

On their journey to the promisedland, Moses had been plagued with complaining and rebellion. God promised him help by putting His Spirit on others to help him, so he wouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. It was sweet news to sad ears. When some complained about others who were teaching, Moses gave them his view. He wished everyone was a prophet, filled with His Spirit, and ready to teach. Don’t stop them, help them. That is still God’s view for all of us with His Spirit. Let’s help fan the flame, not put it out.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Monday, September 21, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 21, 2009

Grace for your spirit

I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30

God’s people had written their own ticket to Babylonian captivity. Their rebellion was unrestrained. God sent prophet after prophet to change their path, but they would not listen. He needed someone to build a wall, and stand in the gap for Him. God had asked Jeremiah to find one man in Jerusalem who knew what was right and did right. He couldn’t find one either. How the future of God’s people could have been changed with one man to stand up for right. It is still true today. God’s needs someone to fill the gaps with faithfulness. One can make a great difference. Will it be us?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Friday, September 18, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 18, 2009

Grace for your spirit

And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. I Timothy 2:14

If Eve first ate of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden, and then gave it to Adam, why is Adam credited as bringing sin into the world? When Satan approached Eve, she was tricked and deceived by his crafty ways, and she fell for it. When Adam took of the fruit, there was no trickery, or deceit. He made a clear decision between what God wanted and what he wanted. He chose sin. When the devil approaches the people of the world, they are mostly unarmed to stand against his trickery. When the devil tries to trick a child of God into sin, we need to remember that God has given us armor to stand against the devil’s trickery. With that armor, if we make a decision against God, what is our excuse? May we all arm ourselves today with His Spirit and His Word. Don’t leave home without it.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Thursday, September 17, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 17, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Matt 5:23-24

Jesus made it clear that the connection between loving God, and loving our brother, is the basis for every law and commandment. When we rationalize that we can love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind, and then hate our brother, will never please God. God doesn’t want our empty devotion. He knows that if we don’t make every effort to reconcile with our brother, then it won’t be long until we won’t be coming to the altar at all. We may think that it would never happen to us, but we are wrong. Let’s make every effort to strengthen our relationship with both God and man.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 16, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31

There is an overriding theme in the scriptures for us all. We should try to find out what pleases God, and then do it. When we are making our decisions for today and for life, that should be our guideline. It is not just about what we do in worship, or what we do to help others, it is about all our behavior. To every question we ask ourselves about our decisions, the answer is the same. What is my purpose on the job today? How should I act around my family, on my drive to work, and my interaction with others? What is the purpose of my marriage, and my children? We are to do all for the glory of God. Not our glory, His glory. It is time to start checking again on what glorifies God, and how we are doing.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 15, 2009

Grace for your spirit

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth. Mt 6:24

How can we know which master we are serving? The answer is simple. Which master is telling us what to do, and directing us how to live? There is nothing evil about money and wealth, but the love of money is the root for all sorts of evil. The greatest evil comes when wealth becomes our master and we transfer our treasures in heaven to securities on earth. Many people have thought they could serve both masters, and ended up with neither. Let’s get off the fence and remember God’s promise. Seek Him first and all the other stuff will be added to us. Just reading it won’t do. We need to live it.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Monday, September 14, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 14, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. Numbers 11:1

When we hear people complaining about their problems, it is hardly an uncommon thing. We may even accept that fact that Christians gripe constantly about what they don’t have in this world. We may accept it, but God does not. When He has given us His very best and all we can do is complain; it hurts Him. When we hear God’s will for our lives, and still complain, it makes Him angry. The reason we study the Bible is to find insight for living. We come to find comfort in our adversity, and seek God’s solution. When His Word makes us angry, we are certainly heading down the road to destruction. Let’s start rebuilding our faith today.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Friday, September 11, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 11,, 2009

Grace for your spirit

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. I Corinthians 9:16

All Christians have been reconciled to God by Jesus, and given a ministry of reconciliation. It is God’s only plan to lead lost souls to salvation. Most people won’t come to worship, they must be brought. Most won’t study the Bible, they must be taught. Most won’t accept Christ, they must be won. Woe to us if we don’t feel the compulsion to fulfill our mission. Woe to the lost, if we don’t complete our tasks, and woe to the Lord’s church, if we all remain idle. If everyone follows our example, will the gospel be preached to the lost of our community? The Shakers were a religious group that made a decision not to have any children. That generation died out and they are no more. When we make a spiritual decision not to reproduce, the church will die out and be no more. What is our witness for our Lord? Woe or go

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Thursday, September 10, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 10, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16

One of the strengths of our Christian brotherhood is the power of prayer. We are encouraged to confess our sins to one another and pray. Do our brothers and sisters have enough confidence in us to confess their sins to us? Do they know their confession will be used only for good and edification? Can they rest easy knowing that prayers will be offered on their behalf? If they answer to any of these questions is NO, then people will not be open to help. Many a prayer chain has become a gossip chain with people being hurt instead of helped. What is the reputation of your fellowship? Are we known to be prayers or gossipers? If it is gossiping without prayer, there will be no healing, and damage will result. Let’s work to build that trust through prayer.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 9,, 2009

Grace for your spirit

For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:25

In a world where the truth of God is so evident, and His will for our lives has been preached so far and wide, how is it that mankind has rejected Him and plunged into a world of rebellion and immorality? The answer is simple. Exchange the truth of God for a lie, and create a god that suits our tastes. The immorality, unrighteousness, and wickedness that is destroying our world thrives on the belief in lies. Therefore, anytime the lusts of our flesh conflicts with the truth of God, we simple create our own god, and our own truth. There is no excuse for the reality that some create, and all will be called into judgment in the last day. Let’s grow in truth and grace, and never exchange truth for lies

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 8, 2009

Grace for your spirit

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." I Pet 1:14-16

If we take a survey of what people think God’s will is for our lives, we will receive the variety of answers. As Christians we should know God well enough, to know what He desires for us. God wants us to be holy. To become like the Holy One who called us; to live a separated life from the sins of the world. Most people think God wants us to be happy. Therefore, they conclude that whatever makes them happy, is what God wants for them. Wrong. God wants us to be happy because we are holy, and wholly His.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Friday, September 4, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 4, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. II Samuel 1:20

A great disaster had occurred in Israel. King Saul had been killed by the hand of their arch enemies, the Philistines. David stepped up to remember their King and his friend Jonathan. As he honored the work of that family, he reminded the sons of Judah to keep this news in the family. David didn’t want to see any celebrations among the enemies of God. It is a good message for today. Sometimes there is trouble in the church, and the people in the world rejoice to hear that God’s people are having trouble. When setbacks, defeats, and discipline must take place in the body of Christ, do not proclaim it in the streets of the city. Let’s feel the pain, heal the hurt, and make effort not to bring blasphemy on the name of our Lord

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Thursday, September 3, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 3, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Had it not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger was kindled against us; Psalm 124:2-3

This was the song David wanted the people to sing and remember the lessons. We all need to remember that we must have the Lord on our side in order to achieve victory against our enemies. It is a foolish person that feels their victories are won alone. As we sing that song of thankfulness, it would also be helpful to remember that we need to be on His side as well. When God’s people forget that, the Lord is no longer on our side. Then defeat is inevitable. During one of the darkest times of the Civil War, a general said to Lincoln, “Don’t worry Mr. President. The Lord is on our side.” “Yes”, he replied, “but are we on His side.. Whatever battle we may face in life, if we face it with the Lord, we will be the majority.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 2,, 2009

Grace for your spirit

And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' Luke 15:6

Recently a woman rushed into our church services. Hysterically, she asked if anyone had seen a three year old girl with purple hair. Her girl was missing. Several people jumped up, got into their cars and started looking for her. Shortly she was found safe and sound. The members returned rejoicing. In the following weeks the grandmother has come to church to thank everyone for their concern and effort over the lost little one. Jesus told the parable of the sheep, coin, and son. Now we have the parable of the three year old with purple hair. Let’s jump up and seek the souls that are lost in sin with the same speed, and rejoice at the salvation that results.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Grace for your spirit September 1, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2

Plants that are not pruned grow wild, don’t produce, and soon they die. Sometime before they die, they can be saved if they are properly pruned and nurtured. It is difficult to know just exactly how much a plant needs pruned to make it right, but God is the gardener of our plant. He knows exactly how much we need to be cut back in order to bear much fruit. Jesus is the vine, and the vine is fine. God is our gardener, and He knows everything. The main enemy of the fruitful plant is us. As we resist discipline and avoid the pruning, we continue to grow wild. Now let’s hold still long enough for God to help us be fruitful once again. Thank you Lord for the cutting.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23