Thursday, December 31, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 31, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.  Joshua 3:5

These were the words of Joshua to God's people preparing them to enter the promised land.  They were meant to inspire God's children to shake off the years of struggles and take a new positive focus for their future.  They would walk a new way, and experience many new wonders.  How they received those wonders and blessings would depend on their attitudes and faithfulness.  May we all dedicate ourselves to shake off the old and take a new walk.  A walk with Jesus first, Others second, and Yourselves last.  That will insure the J-O-Y we desire.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 30, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which you have done,  and Your thought toward us;  There is none to compare with You.  If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.  Psalm 40:5

Browning wrote, "How I love thee, let me count the ways."  The poem goes on to talk about the her unlimited love.  God wants us to love Him like that much and more.  When our love is made complete, we will make His love and wonders known to those around us.  We can't count and comprehend them all, but let's keep searching.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 29, 2015

Grace for your spirit
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him  Romans 8:16-17

When "Little Orphan Annie" was adopted by "Daddy Warbucks", her life was changed completely.  It was hard for her to believe the miraculous transition from orphan to heir.  That miracle is available for us spiritually. When we accept His adoption and become part of His family, we are blessed.  However,  when He suffers we suffer too.  If we accept it, and endure it, He has glory for us beyond anything we can imagine

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 24, 2015

Grace for your spirit
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!  Matthew 7:11

The final rush is on to find that perfect gift for Christmas.  As hard as we try, we can never out give our Father in Heaven.  Every good and perfect gift is from above.  Our Heavenly Father generously pours out His blessings on us when we connect with Him.  As we thank everyone for their thoughtfulness this year, don't forget to thank God for His perfect and enduring gifts.  Have a Merry Christmas

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 23, 2015

Grace for your spirit
But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus the Nazarene--walk!"  Acts 3:6

The crippled man begging at the temple was hoping for a gift to help him for another day.  The gift he would receive would be much greater. The apostles didn't have want he wanted but they did have what he really needed.  God has given us all many special gifts.  We have gifts that can really make people's lives better.  We may not have silver and gold, but what God has given us, let's share it with others.  Not just for a day, but for ever. 

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 22, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew that gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give a Me a drink,'you would have asked Him, and He would  have given you living water."  John 4:10

Jesus met a woman at the well, and she thought she could get drink from this stranger.  What she didn't realize is that Jesus had a gift for her far greater than a drink.  He had the gift of eternal refreshment.  A drink would only last for a moment, but His gift would never fade. Sometimes our greatest gifts are not the ones we really want, but the ones we really need. Let's look beyond today's needs and greeds for a truly happy life.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 21, 2015

Grace for your spirit
You prepare a table before me in the presense of my enemies.  Psalm 23:5

A little girl banished to a small side dinner table for punishment. She  was overheard in her prayer, "Thank you for preparing a table for me in the presence of my enemies."  We all live in a world where we can feel banished because of our faith.  Let's be thankful the God has prepared a greater feast and a greater victory for us in our Christian walk.  Let's be thankful even the presence of our enemies.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit
These who are clothed in white robes, who are they, and where have them come from?......My Lord, you know. these are the ones who come our of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made white in the blood of the Lamb.  Revelation 7:13-14

God gives us some pictures of heaven in His Revelation.  The symbolism is those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb.  Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of His believers, and presents them to His Father.  When we come to Jesus for His cleansing power, we can be washed in the blood of the Lamb too.  Come on in.  The water is fine.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 17, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Blessed be the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourelves are comforted by God.  II Corinthians 1:3-4

God certainly wants us to use our blessings to help others.  We may call it, "saved to serve", or "blessed to bless".  One of the measures of our thanksfulness is using our benefits to benefit others.  First, may we acknowledge our comforts from God, give Him the glory, and thank Him by "paying it forward"

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 16, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister, and mother.    Mark 3:34-35

Jesus had an earthly family, but sometimes they did not support nor believe in Him.  Jesus enjoyed His spiritual family.  He considered those who did the will of His Father to be His family. In fact, in Christ Jesus, we are the adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus and heirs according to the promise.  Let's enjoy our family reunion each day, and especially on the Lord's Day.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales  when we made know to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  II Pet 1:16

When we commit to the Word of God, confessing that all Scripture is inspired by God, we can be eyewitnesses of His majesty by faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, so we need to make that commitment.  We could not be on the Mount of Transfiguration, but by faith we can experience that majesty.  We walk by faith when we thank God for His Word to show us the way.  We don't need to tell clever stories.  Let's share the power He has instilled in our lives.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 14, 2015

Grace for your spirit
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a  house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  II Corinthians 5:1

It is always a nice feeling to have someplace to go.  A  home that welcomes us where we belong.  God provides us an eternal home that welcomes us at the end of our days on earth.  Our Spirit lives in our earthly dwelling, but when that building is torn down, an even better home awaits us in glory.  It give us confidence for our future, and that is a great way to live

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 10, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master,prepared for every good work.  II Timothy 2:21

There are so many things in the world that can defile us and make us useless in the service of the Lord.  Part of our work and the work of the Spirit is to be a vessel of honor, holy, useful and prepared.  When God calls for our service, will we be ready?  Let's start preparing ourselves now.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 9, 2015

Grace for your spirit
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  I Timothy 6:9

Life can often be a trade off.  When we make a decision to go in a new direction, we must sacrifice the way we were going.  Many people have set their goals in riches, only to find out they gave up everything else along the way.  Their lives were plunged into troubles, and when  they arrive at their money goals, they aren't worth it.  Can the desire for riches tempt, snare, ruin and destroy us.  Yes. Let's count the costs before we have to pay the price.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 8, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  John 15:2

In this picture, Jesus is pictured at the vine, we are the branches, and God is the gardener.  When we are securely connected to Jesus, we will bear much fruit.  When we yield ourselves to God allowing Him to prune our branch, we will bear even more fruit.  The production of our branch declares to all that we are firmly connected to Jesus and yielding to God. If we do not bear fruit, we are unnecessary and will be removed. Let's yield our branch to God's way and enjoy the fruit of our labors.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 7, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  Romans 12:17

Try to be at peace with all men. Don't take revenge, let God take the revenge. A little boy had built a snow fort and fortified it with hundreds of snowballs to defeat all attackers.  Unfortunately, no enemies were attacking.  He told his mother that he wished he had more enemies. She told him not to worry.  The way he was going he would have lots of enemies some day.  How about us.  Are our lives fostering good relationships and making enemies?  May Jesus be seen in us.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 4, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him,   Isaiah  55:6

Let us seek the Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near.  All of us need to make a commitment at some point to change our lives and thoughts, turning to the Lord.  Whenever we decide to make that change, the Lord will have compassion.  The farther we go in the wrong direction, the harder it is to return.  Let's turn now.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 3, 2015

Grace for your spirit
He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.  Jn 14:21

There are several important elements in arriving at a close and personal relationship with Jesus. We show our love for God by learning His commands and committing to keep them.  That commitment to obedience will bring us love from God and a closer walk with Jesus.  Our love for God and commitment to obedience is the door that leads us to that intimate spiritual relationship.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 2, 2015

Grace for your spirit
See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.               I Thessalonians 5:15

God always wants us to return a blessing when we are mistreated.  He wishes for us to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and change our enemies for the good. He wants us to be peacemakers and mediators for others to help them as well. Much like a referee in a boxing match steps in to keep the peace and the rules, God calls us to seek after the good for others in conflict.  Let's get in there and not be timid. See to it

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Grace for your spirit December 1, 2015

Grace for your spirit
Do not quench the spirit  I Thessalonians 5:19

We can quench our thirst, quench a fire, temper steel by quenching the heat, or quench an uprising,  All of those are beneficial and will make us feel better, but quenching the Spirit is never good for us.  Many things are better when they are dampened, doused, moistened, or stuffed out, but we should never do any of those to the Spirit of God living in us. God knows that when we fan the flame He has given us, His guidance will always help us.  Let's keep it burning.