Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Grace for your spirit. February 1, 2012

Grace for your spirit
And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. I Corinthians 2:4-5

Today people love to follow ministers who look very successful. They are good looking, dress well, have big church buildings, drive big cars, and speak with great eloquence. If we listen carefully, we may find out that they are the message, instead of the truth they should be preaching. Ironically, the two greatest preachers of all times, didn't have any of those things we value today. Jesus and Paul brought forth the power of God. Jesus and Paul didn't sway the crowd with their looks, their stuff, and their great eloquence. They brought souls to God by the power of the Holy Spirit. They hid themselves behind the power of the cross. Let's listen closely to the messages we received today. Are they powered by the world, or powered by the Spirit of the living God.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Grace for your spirit. January 31, 2012

Grace for your spirit
But David said to Saul, "Your servant was tending his father's sheep, when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock. I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he arose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. I Samuel 17:34

David made good use of his time while he was in the fields as a boy. Little did David know what God had in store for him. As he watched over the flocks by night, he learned out to defend the sheep, play the harp, write spiritual songs, and lead the sheep. God took his talents, to stop Goliath, soothe King Saul, motivate Israel with songs, and lead his nation as king. As we twiddle our thumbs waiting for God to commission us into service, may we be using our time to prepare ourselves for a great work. What do we have on our boring agenda today? Today is not just another day for a servant of the Lord. Today is another day of preparation for the service we will be able to offer tomorrow. Let''s stop killing time, and start learning what talents we really have available to serve. Our Goliath may be just over the horizon.

Grace for your spirit. January 30, 2012

Grace for your spirit
Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. I Peter 4:9-10

The words hospitality and fellowship in the Bible mean different things. When we fellowship with people, we enjoy sharing with those who will most likely share with us at a later time. We have a phileo. friendship love relationship. Hospitality is sharing and caring for those who have no means of repaying us, and we help them for the glory of God with His blessings. Hospitality brings the richest rewards, because it is completely selfless. A lady had some people over for dinner and asked her daughter to say a prayer. She didn't know what to say, so her mother said, "Just say what you hear me say." The little girl bowed her head and said, "Dear Lord, why in the world did I invite these people over to dinner." Oops!! Let's give unselfishly and honestly, and enjoy doing good without complaint.

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

Friday, January 27, 2012

Grace for your spirit. January 27, 2012

Grace for your spirit
And they began called Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Acts 14:12

Many times the audiences for the apostles were people submerged in idolatry and Greek Mythology. The Greeks had many gods, and honored them for their well being. A man might like being identified as one of the gods, and would enjoy the glory bestowed on them. With the miracles and eloquence of these apostles, the crowds assumed they were gods. Paul and Barnabas didn't let that impression last for a minute. Their mission was to proclaim the only one and true living God. They wished to destroy idolatry, not become part of it. It is only human to enjoy being special, but may we never forget our true mission in life. We are here only to exalt God and Jesus as Lord. Let any praise and glory to be directed to Him. May any light we show, give glory to our Father, not us.
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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 26, 2012

Grace for your spirit
Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is week without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? II Corinthians 11:28-29

Are we looking for the qualities of a great shepherd overseers in our churches? I Timothy 3, and Titus 1 gives us the qualifications of a great leader, but here I see the true heart of a pastor. Paul has just listed about twenty horrible things he has endured on his mission. These difficulties would discourage the average man, but not him. He still had strength for the pressure in the churches. He felt the weakness of each and every member, and anyone led into sin was of intense concern to him. That is the kind of shepherd I want. Not just one that meets the qualification on paper, but one who won't quit on me. When we find someone like that, let's honor them and make them our spiritual mentors. Come on men. We all need you to rise up and lead.
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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 25, 2012

Grace for your spirit
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculation and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. II Corinthians 10:4-5

Remember the kid's song, "I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery. I may never fly o'er the enemy, but I'm in the Lord's army". Wars are seldom won from a distance. Personal evangelism is just that--personal. We are pretty good at flying over the enemy dropping scripture bombs, and shooting artillery shells of doctrine into a far land, but wars are seldom won without going behind enemy lines. Personal evangelism is a function of infantry, and cavalry, and must be done face to face. We used to call these soldiers, 'ground pounders." If we are going to win the war against the devil, we need ground troops, not just advisors. Let's sharpen our swords for some hand to hand combat and win the world, destroying every lofty thing raised up against God's kingdom

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

Grace for your spirit. January 24, 2012

Grace for your spirit
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Entitlement can be a dangerous thing. When we think we are entitled to everything because we are so special or deprived, life can be filled with disappointments. We can think the world owes us a living, and that everything special should be ours, no matter how we live. When we are really in touch with God's grace, it should be a very humbling process. It should help us realize that God is great and we are nothing without Him. Some think that God owes us a home in heaven. God's grace can save us, equip us, transform us, sustain us, and give us a clearer picture of how to use our faith, but God owes us nothing. Before we demand our rights, remember, if we get what we deserve, we will be lost eternally.

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

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 23, 2012

Grace for your spirit
Suppose there are fifty righteous with the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty right who are in it? Genesis 18:24

God had revealed to Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to its wickedness. Abraham wanted God to save his nephew Lot and his family, but was afraid to ask. Abraham began bargaining with God to save the city if He could find 50 righteous. The bidding went from 50 down to 10 and failed. God didn't save the city, but He afforded Lot and his family a warning and a chance to get out. I suppose Abraham didn't think God knew what he was thinking while he was bargaining with God. I'm surprise God didn't say to Abraham, "If you want Lot out, just say so!" When we are communicating with God, let's remember that He knows more than our words. He also knows what we are thinking. Let's commit to be honest with ourselves, and honest with God. That's the best way for God to meet our needs.

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

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 20, 2012

Grace for your spirit
And recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James, and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Galatians 2:9

Most people tend to socialize the with a church that fits them. We like our assemblies filled with people who are pretty much like us, economically, socially and ethnically. James warned us to avoid showing favoritism and being prejudiced against those who are different that us. However, when we are more like the world than we are like Jesus, we can be in trouble. The apostles were all Jews and there was a resistance to reaching the Gentile world with the gospel of Jesus. Note here, that the apostles had to recognize the grace had been extended to the Gentiles and to Gentile teachers, and then they supported. Their right hand of fellowship helped catapult the truth into a lost world. Is there any group of people that we have judged and minimized to the point of avoiding? It is time to reach out our right hand of fellowship, to open doors, not close them

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

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 19, 2012

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 Timothy 1:6

It is important that we keep the fire going in our spirit that God has placed in all of us. Like keeping a fire going in a fireplace, we need to work at it. Keep the kindling burning, apply air movement, and pile on the big logs. Some people have an automatic gas fireplace, with a remote control. You push the button, and presto, a blazing fire. You can raise it, lower it, or turn it off with a push of a button. It doesn't work like that in the spiritual realm. A fire left alone will die. A gift of God left alone with grow cold and fade. Let's keep an eye on our fire like our life depends on it, because it does. When it gets a little low, apply prayer, study, and fellowship, to kindle afresh the gift of God for another day.

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

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 18, 2012

Grace for your spirit
The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with the worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Luke 8:14

Jesus told a parable about the Word being sowed in the hearts of men. Some seeds fell on the road, some on the rocks, some on the thorns, and some on good rich soil. The thorns part of the parable applies to most of the church members that I have met over the years. The Word is planted, it grows, and then after awhile the worries, riches and pleasures of this life choke off the plant. With no maturity, the plant eventually dies. Many Christian really want to mature and grow, but despite their best efforts, fail miserably. A quick analysis of their problem is they are being choked off by worldliness. While wanting to be spiritual, there is no room for growth because their life is already clogged with weeds. We need to weed our garden regularly and free ourselves from the worries of this world, so we can grow bringing forth a great harvest.

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

Monday, January 16, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 17, 2012

Grace for your spirit
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. II Corinthians 5:10

Have we got a plan for the judgment day? Since all of God's other promises have come true, I would recommend we all get ready for the day we must stand before Him. If God should ask us, "why should I let you into heaven," what would our answer be? Have we worked on our response? Jesus said that not everyone who says Lord,Lord, will enter, but he that does the will of His Father in heaven. We may have a plan, but if our plan isn't centered in the cross of Christ, it is the wrong plan. It won't be our resume, or our accomplishments, but our relationship with Jesus that will make the difference. He came to make all our bad deeds good in an instant, and He will speak for us at the judgment seat. Thank you Jesus.

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

Grace for your spirit. January 16, 2012

Grace for your spirit
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lust. Romans 13:14

When a person has died, all the things that were tempting to them while alive, die with them. The only thing we can gain in death is eternal life with Christ. Some have been known to stuff things in the casket so the dearly departed can enjoy the afterlife. When we put on Christ, we are called to die to the deeds of the flesh in regard to its lusts. The worldly will try to stuff our pockets with the sin that used to entice us, but we need to throw it away. If we have really died to the things of the flesh. let's not keep them around and make provision to come alive to them again. Keeping those things with us in case we backslide, is a really bad idea.

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

Friday, January 13, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 13, 2012

Grace for your spirit
And although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:32

Are you tired of hearing the news everyday about those who are committing indecent acts, and those who ignore them or even help in the cover up? Has everyone lost their moral compass in this world? It is even worse when sin is open, apparent, tolerated, and covered up in the church of our Lord. Here Romans lists a whole group of sins that result when we turn our backs on God. The church should know the ordinances of God and know the consequences, yet things get worse all the time. We need to stop doing the same sins, and giving hearty approval to those who practice sin. If we won't draw the line among the saints, what chance do we have to cure a sin sick world. Let's do what is right, and require it in others too.

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

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 12, 2012

Grace for your spirit
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And wil Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child? And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!" Genesis 17:17-18

God asked Abraham to do many difficult things. You see a pattern that when Abraham saw that the request was within his own power, he would gladly do it. When God asked him to do the improbable or impossible,, he doubted. Most of the time he only thought his doubts, but didn't speak them. I guess he thought he was hiding his doubts from God,,and then he would say something that he hoped God would approve. As Abraham's faith was being built, he had many private doubts, until he realized that God knew his heart as well as his talk. Our faith will start strengthening when we realize God knows our thoughts and doubts, not just what we say to please Him. God is able whenever we are willing. Let's commit to walk by faith, not by sight.

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

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 11, 2012

Grace for your spirit
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Romans 5:8-9

When someone asks us how to become a Christian and live faithfully in the family of God, where do we start? We often begin by telling people what they need to do to be saved. Let me suggest that before we tell people what they need to do, we need to tell them what God has done for them. His love and His blood are the drawing agents, not our acts of obedience. Many times people want us to just skip to baptism. We need to skip back to the cross where our salvation was achieved. Our plan of salvation is a response to Christ's sacrifice. We are saved by His life, not ours.

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

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 10, 2012

Grace for your spirit
Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My alter! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD of hosts, "nor will I accept an offering from you." Malachi 1:10

A quick read through the book of Malachi, reveals the mind and attitude of a rotten, rebellious child. Everything the Father tries to point out to His children, is met with a sarcastic answer. In just a 100 years since the return from Babylon, God's people were worse off than before their slavery. Here God declares that if this attitude continues, it would be better to shut the gates than continue to abuse the alter of God. I wonder if a Malachi would arise among us today, what the report would be? Would he recommend that we shut the doors of our churches, rather than abusing His name? When Jesus spoke to the 7 churches of Asia in the Revelation, 5 of the 7 were told to repent or else. Which category would we find ourselves in? Repent or shut the gates? What would be our choice?

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

Monday, January 9, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 9, 2012

Grace for your spirit
Then Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. I Kings 17:13

In Israel long drought, this widow woman was down to her last meal. The prophet of God challenged her to give part of that last meal to him first. She did, and her faith was rewarded. From that day forward, her food supply was never exhausted. Until we have trust that God will generously reward our faith, we will never understand sacrificial giving. When we trust in the Lord that He will always give back exceedingly abundantly more that we could think or ask, our lives will change. The world will never understand that kind of faith, but we should. Let's not count what we can keep, let's calculate what we can give in faith. We will then see the windows of heaven open for us too.

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

Friday, January 6, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 6, 2012

Grace for your spirit
As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

There is a hymn we sing entitled "I Am Resolved." It says "I am resolved no longer to linger charmed by the world's delight. Things that are higher, things that are nobler, these have allured my sight." This is exactly the example set for us by Jesus. He came into this world to guide us, die for us, and ascend back to intercede for us. Nothing in this world allured Him to turn to the left or right. The prodigal son was charmed by the world's delight, but finally came to his senses. When he did, he set his face resolutely to return home. It is important for us to set our goals, and make our decisions to meet those goals. Let's be resolved to set our face toward total will of the Lord in our lives. The world will continue to charm us, but don't go there. That will be the best New Year's resolution ever.

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

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 5, 2012

Grace for your spirit
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8

We used to plant a garden in the backyard. We carefully spread the seeds, and at the end of the row placed a stick with the package on it. This is the way we identified the row. The packages may show, corn, beans, radishes, potatoes, and so on, but the proof is in the harvest. No matter what the label reads, if all the seeds are corn, all we will have is corn. The devil is out to deceive us as we plant our lives. He labels many things that seem to be good, when in fact they are poison for us. Let's now be deceived. What we sow, we will reap, regardless of what the packages read. Let's carefully inspect what we plant to make sure we are sowing to the Spirit, and not to the flesh.

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

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 4, 2012

Grace for your spirit
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. Revelation 13:18

There has been lots of fear connected to the number 666. It, like all the apocalyptic numbers in the revelation, have a deep meaning, Six a number of imperfection. It certainly applies to all men, and to the devil who wishes to capture us. The number we should strive for is the number of perfection, which is seven. Mankind cannot ever reach perfection on our own. Maturity, completeness, and perfection, can only be attained by the righteousness of Christ. Salvation in Christ is the only way to move from 666 to 7. If we are in water that is 211 degrees, it is just hot water. At 212 degrees, water boils and great things can be accomplished. So it is with us when we get off the 6 and onto 7. God's grace can take us there.

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

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 3, 2012

Grace for your spirit
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7-8

Many of us learn to pray by listening to prayers in our assemblies. We hear eloquent prayers from men and sometimes think we have to have a fancy prayer in order to talk to God. In our private prayers we don't need to be known for our many words, but just talk to God like a loving Father. Sure, He knows what we need before we ask, but a father loves to hear from His children. We love it when our children call us and we are able to help them. God loves to hear from His children too. Connect with God again today. He is waiting to take our call. JERE 33:3 says "Call on Me and I will answer you." Changing those letters of Jeremiah into a number, His phone number is 537-3333. Call now, He is standing by.

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

Monday, January 2, 2012

Grace for your spirit January 2, 2012

Grace for your spirit
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; I Peter 2:9

Most Christians think it is odd to be called a "priest." If we could get comfortable being called priests, then maybe we could get comfortable fulfilling the role of a priest in the kingdom of Jesus. Not Old Testament priests, nor Catholic priests, but priests of Jesus, washed in the blood of the Lamb. In the New Covenant, the Lord's Church is the chosen race, the royal priesthood, the holy nation, owned by God to proclaim His light in the darkness. Our only mediator between us and God is Jesus Himself, and our lives are called to be living sacrifices. Let's see ourselves as priests in His Kingdom, and start serving the Lord as we should each day.

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