Friday, May 29, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 29, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.  Acts 11:23

The Gentile Christians meeting at Antioch were spreading the good news of Jesus and turning many to the Lord.  They got very little support from the Jewish Christians around them, and were often considered outcasts.  What did they need the most in their uphill battle? What could put bounce in their steps and keep them moving?  The answer came in a man called Barnabas.  He came rejoicing and encouraging them to be faithful and true.  There are many elements of worship and Christian work, but the oil that makes them all run is encouragement.  Let's all find a Barnabas, and ultimately be a Barnabas for someone else.  Rejoice and Encourage

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 28, 2015

Grace for your spirit
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.  II Timothy 4:5

God tells us we have all been created in Christ Jesus for good works. We have all been gifted by His grace with abilities to accomplish things for Him.  Do we know what God expects us to do with our opportunities?  Has our true mission been lost in the whirlwind of our lives?  Let's all make a new commitment to be sober of spirit, overcome our hardships, find our ministry, and at the end of our journey be able to say that we have fulfilled the ministry He had for us.  It's a great way to finish.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 27, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of My God.  Revelation 3:2

When Jesus spoke to the churches, He encouraged each to wake up, be aware, and quickly make the necessary changes to be faithful.  The same alarm could and should sound for each of us individually. It is too easy to be lulled to sleep by the worries and pressures of this world. Sometimes the important is overlooked because of the urgent.  Maybe we need an alarm to sound to remind us to take care of the important things; to strengthen ourselves before we die spiritually.  Ring, ring, time to wake up for us all.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 26, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later saying,"What do these stones mean to you?"  You shall say to them, "Because the waters  of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord;  Joshua 4:6-7

There were and are monuments all over Israel to remember great events.  Feasts and holidays were celebrated throughout the years to remember God and the work of their forefathers.  Jesus left us the Lord's Supper to keep his death burial and resurrection, but no memorial is kept alive without the  voice of dedicated people.  America has monuments all over the nation to honor the sacrifices that built our nation, but they can be lost without the voice of dedicated people. Let's stay in touch so we can pass on the value of God, Jesus, and the American way every day.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 22, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Mark the blameless man and behold the upright; For the man of peace will have a prosperity,    Psalm 37:37

Wicked and violent men make a big splash in this world, but soon they are swept away and forgotten.  Transgressors will ultimately be destroyed and the wicked will be cut off.  The blameless man has the promise of salvation and strength in time of trouble.  These are just some of the short and long term benefits of walking with the Lord. Peace, prosperity, protection, and salvation.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 21, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Wait on the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait on the Lord.  Psalm 27:14

David was reaching out for three things we all need.  Patience to wait, strength to stand firm, and courage to endure.  He spent many years in exile, even though he had already been anointed to be the next king. His rightful place was kept from him, yet he would not strike back.  In due time, he was rewarded for his patience, strength and courage.  In our Christian walk, we may feel like an exile at times.  If we are patient, strong, and courageous, our day will come too. Wait on the Lord.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 20, 2015

Grace for your spirit
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.   Mark 8:36-37

When I was a kid I was stunned by a television show showing a man making a deal with the devil.   He traded his soul for a million dollars. Since then we have all witnessed people forfeiting their souls for a lot less. The basic principle of discipleship is self denial, and forfeiting our earthly life.  When we focus on Jesus and eternal things, it will help us forfeit anything that will keep us from enjoying those eternal blessings.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 19, 2015

Grace for your spirit
You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie. his ox or his donkey from the stall, and lead him away to water him? And this woman a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath ?  Luke 13:15-16

When Jesus was on earth, the rulers of the day cared about their possessions, their pursuits. and the rules of their law.  They blasted Jesus for helping heal someone on the Sabbath, and Jesus confronted them.  Today, we hold the keys to the kingdom and have the opportunity to open the doors of the kingdom to many, but first we must care about people.  If our possessions, pursuits, and rules, keep us from loving people, we can become just the people Jesus called hypocrites

Monday, May 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit
And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this  Philistine."  I Samuel 17:37

The day David stood before Goliath, it looked bad for David.  Even though it was five foot nothing David, against nine foot six inch Goliath, David was confident.  His faith had been built through many challenges that were beyond his natural ability as a shepherd.  His trust in the Lord had built his faith.  We have the same opportunity, but we need to face challenges beyond our own strength to build that faith.  One step at a time we can build our faith so we can face the giants in our lives.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;  Psalm 37:7

How are we suppose to find rest in this life?  Most of us have so much pressure and trouble, we seem to toss and turn and find no rest.  God knows we need the rest, so He gives us the formula in the six verses that precede the call for rest.  Take a look at the key words;  
Don't fret about others                            
Trust in the  Lord and do good                       
Dwell and cultivate faithfulness
Delight and Commit to the Lord
Rest

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 14, 2015

Grace for your spirit
But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who will set me free from the body of this death?  Romans 7:23-24

Who indeed, is the question.  God through Jesus Christ our Lord is the answer.  Are we trying to live a spiritual life while caught in the flesh?  We know what we should do, but we don't.  We know what we shouldn't do, but we do.  That is  where we all are.  All of us will always be at war, and Jesus is the only answer for all of us.  Greater is He who is in us, that he that is in the world.  Thank you God for our victory in Jesus

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 13, 2015

Grace for your spirit
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.  Romans 16:20

God promised Satan in the Garden of Eden that although he would bruise the heel of the seed of woman,  the seed of woman would bruise his head.  When Jesus rose from the dead, He crushed Satan's head. With the power of God's grace, we can continue to crush Satan, and find victory in Jesus.  The Roman letter gives us many ways to deal with the devil, but the ultimate promise really helps;  "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 12, 2015

Grace for your spirit
A woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening;  and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.  Acts 16:14

The Lord opened her heart to respond.  What a concept, what a blessing.  Paul presented the gospel and the Lord did the work of conversion.  We certainly need to pray for opportunities to present the good news about Jesus, but we also need to ask God to open the hearts of others to respond.  When open Bible and open hearts connect, the result is heavenly.  Let's be ready to step through those open doors to open hearts.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 11, 2015

Grace for your spirit
For if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die,  we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.  Romans 14:8

Most of us don't like being accountable.  In fact, we all are accountable to someone.  If we have a job, we have a boss.  If we are married, we have a spouse, if we are a child, we have parents, if we are alive, we have the Lord God.  No matter what rules or system we choose to live by, ultimately we all will stand before God to give an account of our choices and our lives.  Those who choose to live a life without accountability, will fail at everything.  If we know we will have to answer to the Lord, let's find out what pleases Him, and do that.  It only makes good sense.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Grace for your spirit May 1, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven, Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.  Psalm 119:89-90

Part of The Lord's Prayer is, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  How can we connect God's will from heaven on earth?  His word is the connection.  His word has been settled in heaven.  When we can settle it on earth, the connection will be complete.  When Jesus was tempted by the devil, three times He answered with scripture by saying, "it is written."  How thankful we should be that it is written, so we all can know His will and complete it on earth.