Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-31-16

Grace for your spirit
The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exulted.  Proverbs 29:25

We all must walk through life with trials and tribulations all along the way.  If our only help is trusting in people, they may let us down.  The Lord has a better plan for us. When we trust in the Lord, He will make our paths straight and our steps sure.  He will lift us above the things that will bring us down.  When we walk with confidence, others will want to walk with us and the Lord.  Trust in Him.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-27-16

Grace for your spirit
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  Romans 15:4

Holidays like Memorial Day can be very beneficial for our lives.  As we pause to reflect on those who have gone on before us, we can gain insight for the decisions we will make.  The same is true with God's Word. The  things in the Bible record God's interaction with people through the generations.  They are there for us to learn, to encourage us, and help us to persevere.  As we pause for Memorial Day, let's ask God to help us make the most of it.  God bless you all and have a wonderful holiday.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-26-16

Grace for your spirit
And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:16

Sacrifices to God have always consisted of giving up our best to the Lord.  Originally it was the finest lamb, or the first fruits of the harvest. Today our sacrifices may consist of giving up only caring about ourselves, and looking to the needs of others.  Doing good and sharing involves seeing, caring, and helping others.  This pleases God.  As stated in Matthew 25, "When you did it to the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."  A sacrifice for them is a sacrifice for God.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-25-16

Grace for your spirit
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.  I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness   Psalm 84:10

As Christians, our highest desire should be to dwell with the Lord.  Our joy should come in worship, study, prayer, and working His will in our lives.  It is a great joy to find disciples who delight in their Christians walk.  When we delight in Him, the best part of our lives will be in His presence.  Better one day in worship than a thousand outside?  Let's make that our focus for a life that lights up the world.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-24-16

Grace for your spirit
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn  your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  Galatians 5:13

In Christ we have been set free from the bondage of the law.  Let's be careful not to take that freedom to be sinful or do evil.  That freedom is meant to fill our hearts with joy and share that joy with others.  If our freedom is motivating us to help and serve others, we have the right kind.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-23-16

Grace for your spirit
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.  Proverbs 31:25

When our lives are clothed with strength and dignity, we have many things to smile about. We smile at the memory of our past, we smile in our present condition, and it is natural that we will smile at the future. When we are weak and unreliable, our face will be filled with frowns and our uncertain future worries us.  Let's make new commitments today that will put at smile on our faces tomorrow.  May the shine in our smile send a clear message that Jesus has built our lives to honor Him.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-20-16

Grace for your spirit
I said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue;  I will guard my mouth as a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.  Psalm 39:1

We should guard our hearts, guard our minds, and that will be a guard to the things we say.  Our defiled spirit causes us to sin with our tongue. Christ's righteousness living in us is like a internal muzzle.  We able to measure our responses in the world.  No one wants to be around a "wild dog" without a muzzle.  Neither does anyone want to be attacked by a so-called "wild Christian", biting their legs.  James 3, tells us that the tongue can be a fire that sets the world ablaze.  May it never be our tongue. 

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-19-16

Grace for your spirit
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  Revelation 3:20

The mission of Jesus is to constantly be knocking on our door so we may find unity with Him.  He will never kick the door down, but He hopes we will open up to Him.  When God came into the Garden of Eden calling on Adam and Eve, they didn't answer God because they were "naked and afraid", and hid themselves.  If we clothe ourselves with the love of God, the knock of Jesus will never catch us naked and afraid.  We will welcome Him and become more like Him.  Open up.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-18-16

Grace for your spirit
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;  When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.  Proverbs 17:28

Someone said, "Better to keep your mouth closed and let every think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."  If we can break our habit of  "knee jerk reactions", give our thoughts a little time to gel, the words well considered that come out of our mouth will help us and everyone who is listening.  Many times the words we would have used never make it to the surface.  People will love that and we will probably love it as well.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-17-16

Grace for your spirit
I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty,  Revelation 1:8

There are many names in the Bible to describe God, such as Jehovah, Elohim, Ed-Shaddai, and Adonai.  These words express the presence, power, and knowledge of the eternal one.  Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  This is meant for us to know that God is eternal,  He was there in the beginning and will continue unto the end.  May that humble us and cause us to listen to Him.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-16-16

Grace for your spirit
The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform. Exodus 36:5

Moses was receiving contributions of good and services to build the ark of the covenant in the wilderness.  Just days before this, these people had been using their resources to build a golden calf as their new god. What a great turn around.  This response is a true sign of genuine repentance.  Before they thought everything belonged to them.  Now, they realized everything belonged to God.  That was the difference.  Have you every experienced your church leaders begging the congregation to stop giving and working because they had enough?   Me neither. Perhaps we all need a big turn around too.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-13-16

Grace for your spirit
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,  and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.  I John1:5

The love of God, and loving the children born of Him  is a package deal. Love, obedience, and true fellowship, are not a smorgasbord, where we pick one and leave the other.  Soon we will find that love is not a burden, but a gift.  The gift that overcomes the world, connecting us with God and people.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-12-16

Grace for your spirit
Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else? Matthew 11:3

John the Baptist found himself locked away in prison for speaking the truth.  If he was to be a light to guide the way for the Messiah, how could he do it in jail.  Had he made a mistake?  Jesus sent a message to John the he had not made a mistake.  People's needs are being met, so don't stumble over your present circumstances.  We might find our circumstances hard to bear and wonder if Jesus really is the way.  May we not stumble over such doubt.  Jesus will be coming for us.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-11-16

Grace for your spirit
And the multitude sternly told them to be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Lord have mercy us, Son of David       Matthew 20:31 .  

Are we part of the solution or part of the problem?  Paving the way or blocking the way?  Some blind men were trying to get to Jesus for healing.  The multitudes were not only blocking the way, they were discouraging the way.  The blind men were persistent.  After having their sight restored, let's hope they were as persistent crying our for spiritual sight.  I would hope we would all make a commitment to be a guide for the blind.  Do we know the way?  The blind cannot lead the blind.  If we aren't part of the solution, we become part of the problem.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-10-16

Grace for your spirit
Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor, and blind, and naked.  Revelation 3:17

The letters to the seven churches in Revelation are typical of the spiritual conditions of churches today.  Jesus revealed that this church was lukewarm.  As a result of being neither hot nor cold, their perception of themselves was off.  They saw themselves as being rich, and in need of nothing.  If fact, they were poor, blind, and naked.  When anyone thinks they are hot, but they are not, spiritual blindness is a direct result.  Let's commit to get hot for the Lord, and clearly see our condition before Him.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-9-16

Grace for your spirit
And He looked up and said, I see men, for I am seeing them like trees, walking about.   Then again He laid His hands upon his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.  Mark 8:24-25

Jesus came to help people physically and spiritually. He healed the blind of physical and spiritual sight.  In this case, the blind man needed a second touch to regain his sight.  Jesus left this example to remind us that many of us need a second touch spiritually in order to clearly see the truth.  The apostles needed a second touch, and so do you and I. We first hear the good news of Jesus and things may be a little fuzzy. That second touch helps us see clearly the way He has for us.  When we are not seeing clearly, let's not be afraid to pray for that second touch.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-6-16

Grace for your spirit
Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  Proverbs 31:25-26

This is just a small section of the Bible's description of an excellent wife. Throughout the Bible there are nuggets of gold everywhere on how be a better person, and nurture a loving family.  We should never avoid God's instructions when they apply to us, rather use His wisdom to find true long lasting happiness.  As Mother's day approaches this year, may we all find ways to encourage one another.  Especially all the ladies God has blessed us our lives.  Happy Mother's Day to all.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-5-16

Grace for your spirit
Then the Lord said to me, "Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from My presence and let them go"  Jeremiah 15:1

Jeremiah was called "the weeping prophet," because he had to watch his people turn away from God time and time again.  Was Jeremiah the problem?  God told him, "No".  God told him that even in two of the greatest intercessors in history stood before Him, it would not make a difference.  Sometimes we may think we are the problem when people won't repent.  Let's keep planting and watering, and let God give the increase.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-4-16

Grace for your spirit
Now they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David, and gave him bread and he ate, and they provided him water to drink.  I Samuel 30:11

David was rushing after the Amalekites, seeking  his family and his belongings.  He didn't let his focus make him lose his compassion.  He paused to help a young man "left for dead" by his enemies.  That man gave David the information he needed to find his enemy and give him victory.  As it turns out, he wasn't left for dead, God left him for David.  What has God left for us?  Let's not miss it because we are in too big a hurry.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-3-16

Grace for your spirit
If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

The things we look at, the things we seek, is where our mind will end up. When we are always looking at the world around us instead of Christ, it will naturally take our affections away from Him.  When God told Noah how to build the ark, there was only one window.  That window was on top.  Noah could only look up.  Seeing destruction around him would not benefit him.  Let's not look around, nor look down. Just keep looking up.  When they ask, "How are  things today?"  Just say, "Looking up."

Monday, May 2, 2016

Grace for your spirit 5-2-16

Grace for your spirit
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?  Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? James  4:1

Anyone remember the tenth commandment?  The one most people can't remember, may be the cause of breaking all the others commandments.  DON'T COVET.  We want, we worship, we cuss, we lie, we kill, we steal, we commit adultery, often to get stuff we can't have other ways.  When we are truly content with God's blessings, coveting will not be a stumbling block.  His blessings will be our steppingstone.