Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 25, 2014

Grace for your spirit
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:18-20

God's way;
Be filled with His Spirit, not spirits
Heart filled with song, not bitterness
Always thanking the source of our blessings

Enjoy the journey and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Grace for your spirit NOvember 24, 2014

Grace for your spirit
In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  I Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks........Attitude not altitude
In Everything......Constant not circumstantial
God's will............His will, not our wants
In Christ..............Positional not promotional

Happy Thanksgiving.  Be thankful, be safe, be happy, pass it on.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 21, 2014

Grace for your spirit
All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives   Proverbs16:2

It is easy for any of us to set our own standards of right and wrong, and what is dirty and what is clean.  With those standards, we can justify any sort of ungodly lifestyle.  We will be far better of in the long run to find what the Lord seeks, and set our standards to meet His standards.  When we get our motives right in the sight of God, our lives will be like God wants us to be as well.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 19, 2014

Grace for your spirit
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said," Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 
Luke 10:40

Jesus certainly cared for both of them.  He cared for Martha's work, and he cared for Mary dedication to learning.  They wanted Jesus to care, but Jesus would like them to care also.  Did Martha care about the feelings of her sister?  Did Mary care that Martha was laboring and unhappy?  It doesn't look like it.  Let's learn to take notice.  Do our actions and our words hurt other people?  Do we care and are we willing to make changes?  We want Jesus to care, and Jesus wants us to be like Him. 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 18, 2014

Grace for your spirit
Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 2:38  KJV

Remission is a word that is a common theme in the Bible.  In the later translations the word has been replaced by pardon or forgiveness as it relates to sins.  When we  hear the word remission today, it is almost always relating to cancer.  It is great to hear when our family and friends announce that they are in remission.  Even better, when we are referring to our eternal spiritual standing before God, to announce that are sins are in remission.  Forgiven, pardoned, and walking after the Spirit, never to have a relapse. 

Monday, November 17, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 17, 2014

Grace for your spirit
Learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.   Isaiah 1:17

The people of Isaiah's time were not doing the work they should do because of their unfaithfulness.  The prophet admonished them to turn around, learn to do good, do what was right, work with the ones who were ruthless, and help the widows and orphans.  Hundreds of years later, the Spirit gave the same words to James, when he was encouraging God's people back on track.  He described pure religion as visiting the widows and orphans, and keep oneself unspotted from the world.  It would seem to be a timeless lesson that applies to us as well.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 14, 2014

Grace for your spirit
Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the Lord, and whose deeds are done in a dark place, and they say, "Who sees us? or who knows us?"  Isaiah 29:15

One of the things that helps keep us on the "straight and narrow", is remembering that we are never away from the presence of the Lord. He sees us, knows us, and is intimately acquainted with all we think and do.  We can forget about hiding in the darkness, because darkness and light are the same to him.  Since He is everywhere, He is already where we are going.  Woe to us if we rationalize our thoughts to commit evil acts.  His Spirit is always with us.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 13, 2014

Grace for your spirit
But we do not want you to be uniformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.  I Thessalonians 4:13

We all have two journeys we must take.  The first journey is physical, earthly and limited.  The second journey is eternal.  How sad it is, that most people know little or nothing about that second journey.  They find themselves standing at the gravesite of their loved one, grieving because they have no hope about the future.  Oh, they’ve heard talk about heaven and hell, but think little of it.  This should not be so among believers.  Believers need to be reminded that Jesus is coming for us all someday.  Whether we live until His return or die sooner, we will all be with the Lord eternally.  Let’s comfort one another, because it is the only comfort.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 12, 2014

Grace for your spirit
Yet those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength;  they will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.  Isaiah 40:31

Did you ever watch an eagle fly?  They seem to coast with little effort, almost never flapping their wings.  Their flight allows them to stay far above their enemies, and be secure.  They are able to find warm currents of air that continue to lift them up.  God has that same lift for us when we are wore out.  When we are tired and weary, and our enemies are closing in, let’s look to the Lord.  His grace can give us new strength, and lift us up almost without effort.  Wait on they Lord.  We sure can’t fly be ourselves.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 11, 2014

Grace for your spirit
"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

Joshua spoke these words to the children of Israel  as they were ready to conquer their promised land.  Some had fought the battles in the wilderness for forty years, others were about to begin their campaign. God honored them all with love and protection.  On this Veterans day, may we bring the uplifting message of encouragement to those just starting their journey and those about to end it.  Let's take the time to say "thank you" for all the sacrifices.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 10, 2014

Grace for your spirit
A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word.  Proverbs 15:23

If we wish to have an appropriate answer given at the right time to lift others up, it will take thought and practice.  Let's learn to fill our hearts and minds with delightful, encouraging thoughts and go around seeking someone to uplift.  In a world where most people are complaining and griping about their circumstances, it's fun to spread joy and delight. Plan to do it today.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 7, 2014

Grace for your spirit
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ and do walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.  Romans 8:1

Saved, sure, satisfied, simple and showing it.  Could we find all these great Christian qualities in just one verse?  Yes.  When we are baptized into Christ, and walk according to His Spirit, we can claim the promise of No Condemnation.  If I could only use one verse in the Bible to lead the lost to Christ, this would be the one.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 6, 2014

Grace for your spirit
He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God   Micah 6:8

God has told us the basic principles of living a Godly life.
1) Do what is right
2) Love kindness enough to show mercy
3) Walk humbly with God
No matter what gifts and talents we have, these are the principles that make them work.  Justice, mercy, and humility cannot be substituted by anything.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 5, 2014

Grace for your spirit
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34

Today is all we really have on this earth, and we often let aggravations and stress ruin it for us.  We know we aren't suppose to worry, and that is just one of the things worries us.  If we seek first the kingdom of God, most of the things that worry us would take care of themselves.  If we could have the faith to live in "daytight", compartments with our past forgiven, our future assured, and enjoying our present, we really could be much happier.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 4, 2014

Grace for your spirit
So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt.  Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.   Exodus  4:20

Moses had been a shepherd in the land of Midian for forty years.  His shepherd's staff was his tool. When God gave him his commission to return and lead his people from bondage, God empowered him for success.  The staff in his hand became the staff of God.  God used that staff to free His people and lead them to the promised land.  Whatever we have in our hand everyday to earn our living, has the potential to become an instrument of God.  Let's get going with the power of God.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Grace for your spirit November 3, 2014

Grace for your spirit
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?  And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent?  Romans 10:14-15

How,  how, how, how, indeed.  We know the answers, and the answer is us.  We must build the bridge between the mystery and the faith.  Philip answered the how from the Ethiopian, when he said, "How can I understand unless someone guides me." And the bridge for him was built.  When we are sent to preach Jesus, people can hear, believe, call on Him and and be saved.  That is the answer to "how."  Now the question for all of us is "when" will we answer our call?