Grace for your spirit n February 27, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.  I Corinthians 15:58

Steadfast:  Fixed in direction,firm in  purpose, unwavering.  Sometimes steadfast is immovable, another time it is steady positive movement.  We need both at different times.  Some defense, some offence.  It is important that  we don't get them confused.  In the kid's song, "Roll the gospel chariot", in one verse we pick up sinners, in another we run over the devil.  It is important that we don't get confused picking up the devil and running over the sinner.  Sometimes we do.  The Lord will help us and reward us when we are steadfast.

Grace for your spirit February 26, 2015

Grace for your spirit

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give that to receive.  Acts 20:35

The Apostle Paul was on the beach leaving Ephesus for the last time. In his emotional farewell, what was his final admonition?  He told them to work hard because we must help the weak, and remember, It really is more blessed to give than receive.  No heavy theology, no complicated doctrine, just work hard and help the weak.  It will open the door to share all the words of Jesus. Maybe it is the last thing we should say before we leave every worship service.  Work hard and help the weak.

Grace for your spirit February 25, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.  Daniel 12:3

Did you know you can view a star, register a star in your name, and receive it as a gift for only $34.95 ?  There is a better way, and it costs $34.95 less.  With this plan you can be a star instead of renting one. When we access the insight of the righteousness that comes from God, and lead many to righteousness, we can be a star in God's galaxy. Shine on leading others with the light to the Light.

Grace for your spirit February 24, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.   

James 3:13

Anyone can claim wisdom and understanding, but the proof is in the pudding.  If we have been blessed with wisdom and understanding that comes from God, let's show it by our good behavior and humble deeds. We shouldn't have to announce how wise we are, rather others should announce it for us.  May we never let our speech and behavior betray us.  Good behavior and a gentle spirit are welcome everywhere.

Grace for your spirit February 23, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  Galatians 6:7

We understand how it works.  We plant corn, we reap corn. No one argues that inevitability.  Spiritually, the rule is the same.  If we we sow in sin, we will reap what we have planted.  When we sow to the spirit, we will reap the things of the spirit.  We mock God when we live carelessly against His will.  Sometimes people's first sincere prayer is praying for a crop failure after they have sown their wild oats. Let's not be deceived.  Let's get in line with God's will before we sow our lives.

Grace for your spirit February 20, 2014

Grace for your spirit

So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.  Luke 14:33

As we become followers and learners of Jesus, we can come to know what He means when He speaks.  The cost of discipleship is about making choices.  These passages are about making choices between pursuits, possessions, and relationships.  In order to be a disciple, Jesus must be first in every category.  First ahead of family, jobs, and possessions. This does not mean that we cannot own anything. Rather, it means we cannot let possessions own us.  To be His disciple, let's give all we own to Him.  He will let us use them as long as we need them.

Grace for your spirit February 19, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But he became angry and was not willing to go in, and his father came out and began pleading with him.  Luke 15:28

When the prodigal son returned and the party began, his older found himself on the outside looking in. He was angry and jealous that this brother was being celebrated after the way he had lived. With the younger brother, it wasn't what got him in the pig pin that was important, but what he did next.  The same could be true with the older brother.  Why he was angry, and jealous wasn't important, but what would he do next?  His next step could bring him inside too.  The same is true with us, whether we are like the older brother or the younger.  It's not important how we got where we are, but it is important what we will do next.  Let's unite with our Father.  Come on in and enjoy the party.

Grace for your spirit February 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit

He who reject Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.  John 12:48

Jesus and His word will judge us , Jesus His word will save us. When we choose the reject Jesus and His word, we are biting the hand that feeds us.  I had a class in college where the professor told us the exact questions that would be on the final.  Then he gave us the answers. Preparation insured we would get an "A".  It was so simple that many were lulled into complacency, and they weren't ready when the time came.  God has done the same for us.  We can be prepared to answer every question, and meet every challenge, if we will.  Will we?

Grace for your spirit February 17, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Let no man deceive himself.  If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.  I Corinthians 3:18

If we think we know it all, without God we know nothing at all. Wisdom of the world is foolishness with God, and moves us away from Him.  A big part of becoming a Christians is humbling ourselves.  Part of the humbling process is dying to the world and being born again to God.   When we think we have all the wisdom we need, we can become our own gods.  With our connection to Him, we can ask for His wisdom and He gives it to us without limit. As always, He is the best source.

Grace for your spirit February 16, 2015

Grace for your spirit

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.  John 3:19

Jesus is the true light that came into the world.  He was rejected because evil hates the light, and His presence exposed it.  After Jesus left to go back to the Father, He left that true light with us.  We are now the light in the world to shine into the darkness..  We should not be shocked that we are rejected by those in the darkness.  If we can stand the persecution, we can push back the darkness with the light.  We will overcome darkness or darkness will overcome us.

Grace for your spirit February 13, 2015

Grace for your spirit

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15

True love motivates people to action.  Jesus called for us to love God, love our neighbor, love ourselves. and respond appropriately.  On this Valentine's day weekend, our loved ones are waiting to see our actions. God is included on that list.  When I was in grade school, we were required to bring everyone is our class a valentine and put in in their envelope.  On one Valentine's day, I came home with none, telling my mother I didn't get any.  In fact, my mother found them blowing in the wind two blocks away. Some love.  Let's not throw our love away. Let's honor those we love, and be sure not to leave God out.

Grace for your spirit February 12, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.  II Cor 11:2

The Bible pictures the Christian as the bride of Christ.  In Christ we are betrothed to our bridegroom, anxiously awaiting being joined eternally at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Our purity is essential to maintain that relationship.  Those who would defile that purity really hurt the apostle Paul, and it should hurt all of us too. Let's be careful to preserve our purity and help others do the same.

Grace for your spirit February 11, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I every forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5

Another translation says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness.  There is no contradiction.  Our character dictates what we say, and what we love we are in danger in coveting. If our character trusts in the Lord, our conversation will never conspire to desert Him. For when our conversation betrays us, our desires will soon follow.  Let's trust in Him, and let our talk show that trust.

Grace for your spirit February 10, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Most of us know about the "Beatitudes" of Matthew chapter 5.  They list the many ways we are "Blessed".in His kingdom. Blessed are poor in spirit, mourners,gentle, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted. The New Testament ends with another list of "Blessed". Beatitudes in Revelation.  In between the two sets, we find the reason for it all.  Jesus.

Rev 1:3 - Blessed are those who read and heed the prophecy

Rev 14:13-Blessed are dead who die in the Lord

Rev 16:15-Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps clothes

Rev 19:9-Blessed are those who are invited to marriage supper

Rev 20:5-Blessed is one who has a part in the first resurrection

Rev 22:7-Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy

Rev 22:14-Blessed are those who wash their robes and have right to tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.

Grace for your spirit February 9, 2015

Grace for your spirit

I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.  Psalm 68:30   Let's magnify and exult His name together.  Psalm 34:3

As our eyes get older, it seems the print get smaller.  There comes a time when we need to magnify everything in order to get the clear message.  As time passes by in our lives spiritually, sometimes people have a difficult time seeing the clear message about Jesus.  When Christians fill our lives with song and thanksgiving, it helps to magnify Him for those who cannot see.  When we do it together, we can accomplish a great deal for those who want to see.

Grace for your spirit February 6, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.   Ephesians 6:12

Most dangerous war we can be in, is the one we don't know we are in. Many are waiting for a struggle with the enemies of Christ in the world. Others are waiting to be arrested and "thrown to the lions."  Too many of us sit around while the forces of wickedness surround us, not realizing that war is already on.  Let's arise and put on the armor that God has supplied us.  With the armor, preparation, and staying alert, we shall overcome.

Grace for your spirit February 5, 2014

Grace for your spirit

And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.  Matthew 27:51

At the very moment Jesus died on the cross, God hit Jerusalem and the temple with a giant exclamation point!  Ripping the veil that hid the holy places, and shaking the very ground they stood on was a warning. The city was in a dark earthquake, saying to the people that truly this was the Son of God. When Jesus would rise from the dead, He would point these troubled souls to a new peace.  May God shake our world too, and  may we be uncomfortable about the place we are standing.  Let's allow Jesus to lead us to a new place and a new peace.

Grace for your spirit February 4, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when  they are strangers  III Jn 5

While it is certainly true that the mission of the church is stopping error, we are equally charged with spreading truth.  Our mission is not only to stop false teachers, but also to encourage right ones.  Running people off is rather easy, but instructing, nurturing, and encouraging takes more time and effort.  In Acts 18, when Priscilla & Aquila met Apollos teaching incorrectly, they could have run him off, but instead, they took the time and effort to properly instruct.  With that, Apollos became extremely productive in the kingdom.  Let's go and do the same.

Grace for your spirit February 3, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16

Most kingdoms do not have a throne that can be approached at all.  In the time of Esther, if someone approached the king without permission, they would be killed.  Kings were not known for their giving, but rather for taking what helped them.  The Throne of Christ is a welcoming throne of grace and mercy.  We can have the assurance that His arms are open and ready to meet our needs.  Come on up. 

Grace for your spirit February 2, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days; and the water increased and lifted up the ark so that it rose above the earth. Genesis 7:17

Noah and his family were saved from the water by the water.  The water that destroyed all mankind, lifted them above the destruction.  God promised He would never destroy the world by water, but promised the world would be destroyed by fire next time.  Jesus came to bring us the Holy Spirit and fire.  The presence of Jesus in our lives will lift us above the destructive fire of His second coming.  We will be saved from the fire by His fire.  Praise the Lord.