Monday, September 30, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 1, 2013

Grace for your spirit
She said to her husband, "Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually.  II Kgs 4:9

This story is about a woman of Shunem that was fortunate enough to be near the great prophet Elisha.  By what she saw and heard about him, she perceived that he was a man of God.  That perception led her to take action to provide for his needs and help him in his journey. She served wanting nothing, but received many things.  From that day forward, whenever anything asked how she was doing, the answer was always the same,  "It is well."  Read her whole story in II Kings 4. When we perceive we are around a faithful servant of God, may our perceptions be turned into action as well.  That service will always bear fruit for good in our lives. 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 30, 2013

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God is a two edged sword that cuts both ways. It cuts into the willing and the unwilling.  When the thoughts and intentions of our hearts are revealed, it can be a glorious epiphany and the opportunity to repent.  It can also take our peace from us, when we reject the word.  It cuts both ways.  That is why Jesus revealed in Matthew 10, when He said He did not come to bring peace but a sword.   Whether His sword brings us peace or not, is up to us.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 27, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!  You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."  Matthew 16:23

Talk about a spiritual roller coaster ride.  A moment before this, Jesus had just given Peter a blessing for his understanding about the Christ.  At that moment Peter had his mind on godly things, but look how fast his focus changed.  When Peter heard something he didn't like and would affect him personally, he started to rebuke Jesus.  Peter went from blessed to Satan and a stumbling block is a flash.  When we put Jesus first in our lives, it will help us to put first in our thoughts too.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 26, 2013

Grace for your spirit
He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.  Psalm 126:6

This is a truth that applies to almost everything in life.  Some people condense it to, "No pain, no gain."  Whatever our pursuits in life, the key to success is hard work and preparation.  It may be training in sports, or advanced education in vocation.  Everything from farming to spiritual victory, takes sowing and reaping.  When we return rejoicing in victory, the result of our weeping will be evident to all.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 25, 2013

Grace for your spirit
For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of teh Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.  I Samuel 15:23

This was the fate for King Saul.  He refused to follow the directions of God, and decided to do things his own way.  His rebellion and insubordination was compare to divination, iniquity, and idolatry.  We normally don't put rebellion in the same category as witchcraft and idolatry, but God sees it that way.  This coming Lord's day, we will all be worshiping at some altar. Will it be the altar of God, or will we go our own way?  Will we be at the altar of bed, the altar of picnic, the altar of TV, or at the altar of our own lusts?  Which God will we choose?  Saul chose his own altar, and he lost it all. 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 24, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.  Hebrews 5:11

When we become dull of hearing, seeing, and understanding, often we are unable to learn the things we need to know.  This dull spirit can keep us from growing as a Christian.  If we grow, it is the solid food of His Word that helps us to  discern good from evil.  Like when are natural senses are dulled by alcohol or drugs, our spiritual senses can be dulled the things of the world.  Let's pray that our spiritual senses will be sharpened so we can pursue the path God has for us.  Hearing, seeing, and believing.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 23,2013

Grace for your spirit
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

We can see God and man in Jesus Christ.  He was born of woman, but fathered by the Holy Spirit.  He was hungry,  but he could turn stones into bread.  He was thirsty, but he could turn water into wine. He rowed in a boat, but also walked on water.  He was tempted in everything, but never sinned.  He sat in the judgment hall of men, and at the right hand of God.  He saved others, but sacrificed Himself.  He died for our sins, but rose again for our justification.  He bridged every gap between God and man to build a bridge.  Let's walk over it into the promised land.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 20, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God  Hebrews 3:12

Maybe you've heard the expression; "It's not the fall that kills us, it is the sudden stop."  When unbelief comes into our lives, we may turn loose of the hand of God and fall away.  It may be a very long fall, and we may even get used to the falling.  We might start thinking the falling is nicer than our previous reality.  It is then that we need to remember that this fall won't last forever.  As we appear to fall farther away from God, actually our destiny is to fall into His hands on the day of judgment.  He is able to break our fall before we hit.  It is better to take His hand now, than to fall into them.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 19, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  Romans 7:4

In this natural world, a bride leaves father and mother and cleaves to their bridegroom, and the two become one flesh.  If that union will be blessed with any children, they will come from the bride.  It is much like that in the spiritual world as well.  When we become Christians, we leave our old world behind, and are joined to our bridegroom, that is Jesus.  If spiritual children will come from that union, they will come from the bride, that is Christians.  The responsibility for reaching the lost and seeing them born again, is on the bride.  Go ye, means go me.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

grace for your spirit September 18, 2013

Grace for your spirit
In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  
John 14:2

A lady made a request of her minister as she came close to her death. "Please bury me with a fork in my hand.  Whenever we had a dinner at the church, as they were cleaning the tables, someone would say, 'Save your fork, the best is yet to come.'"  From what she had read and sang about heaven, she was truly  convinced that the best was yet to come.  She wanted the fork in her hand to be a reminder to all who came to the funeral.  Christ was truly exalted in her life and her death. Let's keep our fork

Monday, September 16, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 17,2013

Grace for your spirit
For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare...But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.  Philippians 2:20+22

These words were written by the apostle Paul about Timothy.  It is evident that Timothy was available, reliable, and dependable.  When the scripture calls us to "walk worthy of our calling", it is literally a call to pull our own weight in the church.  It is nearly impossible for us to pull our own weight if no one knows if we will be there, and what we are willing to do.  Being unavailable, unreliable, and undependable, damages our service, our gifts, and our concern for others.  Let's all strive for the kindred spirit in Christ.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 16, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:25

The question is often asked, "Can you be a Christian without attending worship services?"  Yes...but not a good one.  Can you be a husband, but never go home?  Yes....but not a good one.  It is very difficult to complete our circle of encouragement with an empty pew and an empty recliner.  May we quit asking what we have to do, and start enjoying what we get to do.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 13, 2013

Grace for your spirit
And even when I am old and gray O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.  Psalm 71:18

Two commitments are important to a disciple of Christ.  To declare His strength and power to our generation and all who will follow.  The second is to do it without quitting.  We shouldn't be looking forward to our "retirement date", but rather praying for additional strength to declare the wisdom attained through study and life experience.  Let's commit to fulfill our ministry as long as the Lord give us that strength.

Grace for your spirit September 12, 2013

Grace for your spirit
And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.  Romans 15:14

When the apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Rome, he not met these people yet. This was the news that came to him as their faith was spread to others.  There at Rome, in one of the most difficult Christian outposts in the world, these people had risen to meet the challenges. These are the qualities of a church that can overcome any obstacle, and do God's will.  When people recognize that we are filled with goodness and knowledge, building one another up, we will be that light in a dark world.  Let that be our goal.  What have people heard about us?

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 11, 2013

Grace for your spirit
It will come about that the rod of the man whom I choose will sprout.  Thus I will lessen from upon Myself the grumblings of the sons of Israel, who are grumbling against you.  Numbers 17:5

At the beginning of the wilderness wanderings, there was a great controversy about who should be in charge.  It caused the people to grumble to Moses and to God. God put it to rest with a test.  Each tribe put a wooden rod into the tent of meeting overnight.  In the morning Aaron's rod, of the tribe of Levi had sprouted leaves.  The Levites were then the priests, and Aaron's family the high priest.  In there assembly and ours, there must be authority and leadership being led by God.  With such good examples, we all can move forward doing the will of God and pleasing Him.  Let's get in line.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 10, 2013

Grace for your spirit
For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.  Romans 15:18

How would we define great gospel preaching?  The apostle Paul defined it as preaching Christ only, and how He has changed his life,resulting in the conversions of others.  Academic preaching without any change in our lives, or practicing it to bring others to Jesus, will be hollow to listeners.  Let's not only teach the truth, but how it is working in our lives. Let's leave politics, and pet peeves for the corner coffee shop. 

Grace for your spirit September 9, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  Galatians 6:9

Jesus went about spreading the good news and doing good as He went.  We all have certainly been sent to do the same thing.  Jesus would often slip off by himself to pray and fill up His tank for the coming events.  We have even more of a need to follow that example. When our car's gas tanks are on empty, we must stop for fuel or it will soon stop.  Our spirits are the same way.  We need to keep our eyes on that "spirit gauge" at all times.  Some of that inspiration needs to come from within, and we also need to seek other people who will help fill us as well.  May we be aware of things that siphon our fuel.Let's keep our tank full, and help others fill up too.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 6, 2013

Grace for your spirit
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.  I John 5:3

We show the world we are children of God when we love Him and keep His commandments.  A true disciple will not complain about God always being on their back all the time.  The comfort of having Him near and whispering suggestions gives us a sense of confidence. Recently a friend of mine did a tandem parachute jump. He tells me that when you go tandem parachute jumping, you are glad to have someone on your back. The confidence of that instruction makes one feel better all the way.  Is Jesus our welcome companion, or an adversary always on our backs.  It is the proof of our true discipleship.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 5, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.  Ecclesiastes  2:11

King Solomon sought satisfaction in everything.  He tried pleasure, wine, work, buildings, parks, slaves, flocks, herds, gold, entertainers, concubines, and hundreds of wives.  His conclusion: He could find no satisfaction in anything of the world.  In 1965,  the Rolling Stones struck gold with the song,"I Can't Get No Satisfaction". It was a picture of discontent in a world with everything to offer.  If we would google "No satisfaction", would our face appear there?  All continuing satisfaction is in the Holy One of God. Everything else will eventually fade away.  He abides forever with great satisfaction.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 4, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.  II Corinthians 2:14-15

In Acts 4 when the apostles began to preach and spread the gospel, the people were amazed.  The people observed unlearned and ignorant men, and therefore took knowledge that they had been with Jesus.  We may not be great speakers or teachers.  We may not be particularly smart, but when we spend time with Jesus, His spirit will give us great abilities.  The aroma and the fragrance of Christ is something we only get by walking closely with Him.  Let's stay close.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Grace for your spirit September 3, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.  I Peter 3:15

They say that one of the greatest fears of mankind is public speaking. It even has a name, :glossophobia". We all need to remember that we have a great speaking opportunity coming up in our future.  When we stand before God to give an account of our lives, it would help to have a little practice with our testimony. When we put Christ first in our lives, we will have the opportunity to speak about our hope in Christ.  As we practice, practice, practice, we will be more prepared for our day in His court.  Also, along the way we can help others to get ready too.  What could be more important than that?