Friday, December 30, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 30, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you. Joshua 3:5

Joshua was addressing the nation of Israel as they prepared to cross over Jordan into their promised land. It had been a long disappointing journey through the wilderness, and the needed a special dedication to face the challenges before them. With Canaan before them, they needed to remember that the Lord was with them. What would happen in the coming days, would depend on their dedication from today on. We stand just over the river from our promised land today as well. For many of us, it has been a disappointing journey and we are in great need of renewal and rededication. With the commitments we make today, we pave the road for our success tomorrow. May all of our roads lead to the glory of the Lord.
Happy New Year.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 29, 2011

Grace for your spirit
After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. Matthew 2:9
Contrary to the popular belief, the wise men didn't make it to the manger. The visited Jesus about 1 1/2 years later at the house He was living in. The star was still guiding them to bring the gifts for this God, Man, King. Someone said that if it would have been wise women, they would have asked directions, got there early, helped with the delivery, and brought a casserole. The wise men helped in a different way. Their valuable gifts may have financed the trip of Jesus' family to Egypt, escaping the sword of Herod. God works for His good in many ways. In the coming year, search how He may equip us to build His kingdom. Whatever we do, let's make sure we are following His Star.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 28, 2011

Grace for your spirit
How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. Numbers 14:27

If we let the grumbling of the masses affect our living and teaching, soon we will be sitting with the grumblers. Israel grumbled against Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb when they didn't get their way. Those four men took it to God, and let Him take care of it. Grumbling was the cause of so many sins for the children of Israel and it is also a plague for us. Philippians urges us to do all things without grumbling and complaining. When we are covered up with it, let's turn to the Lord, and let His Word guide us to a fruitful walk. If there is any vengeance to be taken, let it be the Lords.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirir.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 27, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they and where have they come from?" ....And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:13-14

How can we come out of this great tribulation with purity? Remember the words to the old gospel hymn, THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD. How can we be free from the burden of sin? How can we over evil a victory win? How can we be free from our passion and pride? How can our sins stains be lost in the life giving flow? Will we be able to do service for Jesus our king? Will we live daily His praise to sing? None of these things can be accomplished by our own effort, but there is power in the blood. So, come to the cleansing from Calvary's tide. There is wonderful power in the blood. We need it to stand before the Lamb in white robes, and spend eternity with Him.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, December 26, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 26, 2011

Grace for your spirit
The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. II Peter 2:9

This passage is a contrast about God's judgment and mercy. He punished angels, but saved Noah. He destroyed Sodom, but saved Lot. In fact in all of Scripture, those who walked with God were rewarded, and those who rebelled were punished. That pattern has been set before us as a guide and a warning. God knows how to reward and punish. He also knows our heart, so guard it everyday.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, December 23, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 23, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and the shall call his name Immanel, which translated means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

Mary had a little lamb, His fleece was white as snow. This nursery rhyme accurately describes the entry of Jesus into this world. Jesus was the lamb of God, without spot of blemish. He was the lamb of God to be sacrificed and take away the sins of the world. Only God with us could deliver us. When Jesus was in the temple at age 12, he amazed the scholars, seeing this lamb at school. Everything Jesus did was amazing and He accomplished amazing things. At this season, let's remember and honor the lamb who came from the days of eternity, to give us a wonderful eternity. Let's praise His holy name, because Jesus is the reason for every season.
Merry Christmas to you all and God bless

The grace of the Lord Jesus Chris be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 22, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hand of sinners. Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand. Matthew 26:45-46

Why were Jesus' closest apostles asleep that night instead of standing watch? Jesus was about to be betrayed. The Garden of Gethsemane would be filled with a mob in minutes, and Jesus was praying. They were sleeping because they were completely unaware of the danger that was just around the corner. Soon Jesus would be arrested and they would be scattered into the bushes. Would it be a good time to be alert and ready for action? The same could be asked of us. With the great commission before us, why are most of us asleep at the switch? The name of Jesus is being trampled under by a sin sick world. As disciples, we have the power to make a difference. Let's be alert and ready for action each day. Our hour is at hand this time.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 21, 2011

Grace for your spirit
I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears, my eye has wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries. Psalm 6:6-7

David is describing his miserable life to us all. He was King of Israel with all the material blessing anyone could ask for, but his sins would not let him rejoice or rest. He was drowning in his tears day and night. In another Psalm, he revealed that his vitality was drained away like the fever heat of summer. He could buy a great bed and and couch, but he couldn't buy a good nights sleep. When David found a way to repent before God and man, his life was refreshed, and renewed. We may think we are better off when we keep our sins to ourselves, but may we let the wisdom of God's Word lead us in the right path. The path of repentance, confession, and refreshment in the presence of the Lord, and others

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 20, 2011

Grace for your spirit
She said, "the Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And he awoke from his sleep and said, "I will go out as at other times and shake myself free," But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. Judges 16:20

Samson was the strong man of Israel. He was called to be a great judge and deliver his people from their enemies, the Philistines. He had a lot of power, but he never found the wisdom to use that power for good. He spent most of his adult life naively and foolishly sleeping with the enemy. Only he and God knew the secret to his strength, but he toyed with those who wanted to destroy him. He foolishly thought that he could overcome any obstacle, but he was wrong. He revealed the truth about the secret in his long hair to Delilah, and she did him in. With his hair cut, the Lord and his strength left him without him knowing it. Without the Lord, he had no defence against his enemies, and ended up weak, blind, and dead. God has given us all a great commission. May we not be naive and foolish, giving our strength away. The Lord needs us to be strong and deliver His people from the world.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, December 19, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 19, 2011

Grace for your spriit
Jesus said to her, "If you knew the gift of God. and who is it who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water. John 4:10

As Christmas day draws near, many of us are still looking for that perfect gift. As we wearily continue to search. the joyous season can turn into a miserable season. Let's not forget that there are gifts that last for more than a day, and are appreciated for more than a minute. This woman at the well was looking for water that would last a day, and she got living water than lasted for eternity, and changed her life. God has great gifts for us. The gift of eternal life. The gift of peace and rest, and the gift of material blessings His gifts can encourage us, sustain us, and give us real joy. As people open their hearts and mind to Jesus, perhaps the greatest gift we can give is Him. It is free, no shipping, and no wrapping. You will be thanked for many seasons to come.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, December 16, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 16, 2011

Grace for your spirit
You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3

Nothing angers God more than seeing His children bow before other gods. These idols have been the ruin of mankind since the beginning. When we split our allegiance between God and our idols, we always suffer. When we wise up and bow before the only true God, lives improve. I walked into a room the other day and saw a large number of young people sitting silently with their heads bowed. What I thought was a prayer meeting turned out to be a room full of people working on their I-Phones. Texting, surfing, and face booking, silently. Can things like this become an idol? What are we focusing on today? What are we bowing before? Is our technology ever before us, or is it the presence of God?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spiriit
Philippians 4:23
grace for your spirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 15, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of the were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, the all got drowsy and begin to sleep. Matthew 25:1-5

This is a word picture about us being ready to meet Jesus. Jesus is our bridegroom, and we are the brides in waiting. We don't know when He is coming, so we need to be ready at all times. It is foolish for us to doze off without taking care of our spiritual business first. These foolish virgins thought they would be able to get ready later, but they were wrong. The bridegroom came and they missed out. Five were prudent, five were foolish. Five were prepared, five were not. Five went in, five were on the outside looking in. The prudent thing for us to do each day is be ready to meet Jesus. Let's not be foolish and put our preparations off until later. "O Prepare To Meet Your God."

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 14, 2011

Grace for your spirit
For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30

Why so many decisions to follow Christ and yet so few disciples? We can make a decision to fill out a card, say a prayer, be baptised, and place membership, but then what happens? A disciple is a follower and learner of Jesus. It is a continuing process. That process is more than a one day event, and the costs of that following can be more than we counted on. Failure to count the costs and the willingness to pay the price is the reason so many start then quit. When we decide to climb a mountain, we can't carry everything we own with us. As we climb, we must give up things or give up the summit. Holding on too tight to the world, will ruin our climb, and cause us to turn back. Take another look at the summit. Count the costs, and pay the price. It will be worth it to us, and all who follow our example.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 13, 2011

Grace for your spirit
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9

God knows the challenges we face in this world and He wants to arm us with the weapons of warfare. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the beginning of knowledge. We gain knowledge by studying the Scriptures, and we gain wisdom by asking God to give us understanding. When we renew our commitment to Bible study and prayer, we renew out commitment to be faithful at all times. Will we accept the personal challenge to pray, study, and interact with others? Our first step is to fear the Lord and commit ourselves to regular Bible study with others. God knows it is the key to fruitful living.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, December 12, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 12, 2011

Grace for your spriit
And He said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life, or to kill?" But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, "stretch out your hand." And he stretch it out, and his hand was restored. Mark 3:4-5

Are we practical, legal or a helper? Every time Jesus reached out to help someone in need, somebody else had a problem. Somebody thought it couldn't be done. Another thought it was against the law. Still others thought the person didn't deserve the help. The popular response is to find a reason not to help. That way we don't have to put out any effort, and can rationalize our actions. Who is our brother anyway? Let's not be judges. Let's be interns for the Great Physician.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, December 9, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 9, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?" Genesis 4:6

When Cain brought an unsatisfactory offering to the Lord, he became angry at the confrontation. Rather than becoming better, he became bitter. That bitterness led to the murder of his brother. Looking down and looking back in the face of sin is a sign of rebellion and shame. Upward and forward is the look of repentance and commitment. Our look tells much of the story. When our transgression is revealed by God's Word, do we look down in sadness and shame, or up with repentance? Our look can tell us alot about what our future will be. May our countenance not fall in shame. Let's look up and live.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 8, 2011

Grace for your spirit
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
II Peter 1:16

The best testimony of any event is an eyewitness. Peter was just that. He walked with Jesus up on the Mt of Tranfiguration. He heard the voice of God say, "This is my beloved Son." Peter walked, talked, and was filled with the Holy Spirit. For this reason, his prophetic word is sure and will lift us up when we turn to it. The Bible is not just stories, or personal opinions. The Scriptures are God speaking to us. By faith, we not can have a sure testimony as well.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 7, 2011

Grace for your spirit
And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and teh woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Mark 4:37-38

The apostles were crossing the Sea of Galilee with Jesus, when suddenly they were in a storm. Would they weather the storm? Would they die at sea? The storm in their hearts was as strong as the storm on the sea. How could Jesus sleep in such a situation? Jesus was secure with His Father. He was confident in the mission God had given Him. He had faith. All of these things He wished He could see in His apostles, but did not. Jesus calmed the sea, and then He calm their fears. He hoped that it would build their faith, so they could weather the storms ahead. How about us? Can we sleep in the storms of life? Do we have the faith that God will calm our storm and calm our hearts? As the hymn says, "Hold me fast, let me stand, in the hallow of Thy hand. Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by."

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 6, 2011

Grace for your spirit
But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us." So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out. Number 13:31-32

A committee report of unfaithful men condemned a whole generation from entering the promised land. Twelve went in to spy out the land. Joshua and Caleb saw the Lord's plan, and the other ten saw only the enemy. The multitude numbering nearly three million souls, decided to go with the majority vote of the committee, even though the report was against the will of God. For lack of knowledge, and unfaithful leadership, they perished in the wilderness. Even today too many make their spiritual decisions based on a committee report of unfaithful leaders. It is time for us to know the will of the Lord, and know if we are being led astray or not. A committee once met to design a horse. They ended up with a horse that had three humps. They called it a camel. Let's beware of what is being designed for us

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippioans 4"23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, December 5, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 5, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:12

In order to share in any inheritance, we must be in the will of the giver. We have become qualified to inherit the blessings of God, being born into His family by the blood of Jesus Christ. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God redeemed us from our sins, rescued us from slavery, and transferred us into His kingdom. We could never qualify by any of that by any effort of our own, and that is why we need to be so thankful for His grace. Let's give thanks. Our future is secure when we are in His will.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, December 2, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 2, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolater, and everyone who loves and practices lying. Revelation 22:15

We might not be shocked at those who are outside of heaven's gates, except for the ones who love and practice lying. Loving and practicing lying is a serious matter with God. In Proverbs 6, there is a list of seven things that God hates. Lying is listed twice as an abomination. Steve Erkle, famous pre-teen tv comedian and philosopher, once said,"Lying is like wearing your grandma's underwear. It might cover you once, but if you do it on a regular basis, you've got a real problem." If we call ourselves a Christian, and we love and practice lying, we have a real problem too. A life problem and an eternal problem. Let's not end up on the outside looking in.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Grace for your spirit December 1, 2011

Grace for your spirit
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you. But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humble with you God. Micah 6:8

Buried deep in the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament in a book most people can't even find, there is one verse that defines Godly living. The Lord has told us what is good and what He requires of us. Do what is right. Love and extend mercy, and walk humble with your God. Almost every command in the Bible could be fulfilled with those three things. Jesus put in another way in Matthew 22. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourselves. He said every law hangs on these two truths. Put these two verses together, and go tell it on the mountain.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspririt. blogspot.com