Friday, December 23, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-23-16

Grace for your spirit
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign;  Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

This was the sign to Israel, to Joseph, and Mary, and the whole world.  Immanuel literally means God with us.  John says of it, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."  Can we read the sign?  The force of God's will is unstoppable.  Like Mary, let's treasure all these things in our heart.  Wishing  you all a very Merry Christmas.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-22-16

Grace for your spirit
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.  Isaiah 9:7

Isaiah was called the Messianic prophet.  He told the story of the coming Messiah over 700 years before He appeared. They mistook the government and the kingdom for an earthly event.  The justice and righteousness forevermore would come from Jesus on His throne in heaven, after he achieved it in Jerusalem.  His kingdom really will endure forever.  Let's make sure we are a part of it.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-21-16

Grace for your spirit
A voice is calling.  Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.  Isaiah 40:3

John the Baptist became that voice the prophets talked about, calling in the wilderness.  His mission was to knock down the obstacles that were in the way of Jesus.  To condition those who were searching for Jesus to get ready.  John the Baptist never told people to look at him, but to look to the one who would follow him.  Jesus, the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Grace for your spirir 12-20-16

Grace for your spirit
Thus says the Lord, A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.  Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.  Jeremiah 31:15

When Herod could not find the location of the child Jesus, fearing this child would grow up to replace Him, he decided to kill all the male children, age 2 and younger, near Bethlehem.  The prophecy of this grief was spoken by Jeremiah 600 years before.  Rachel refers to the mother of all Israel.  Herod was unsuccessful in his attempt to kill Jesus, since God had already led them out of the area.  Jesus would live on to fulfill His life mission at the cross.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-19-16

Grace for your spirit
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.  His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.  Micah 5:2

What was the prophet Micah talking about in 700 B.C.?  Who was this person who would go forth for God and be ruler in Israel?  Whoever He was talking about was coming from the days of eternity.  Why would little Bethlehem be in the center of the event?  Who knew?  God knew. He was talking about the birth of Jesus, time, place, and person, 700 years before the fact,  Who could know that?  Only God !

Friday, December 16, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-16-16

Grace for your spirit
Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Jesus came to earth to teach us about grace.  Grace to look upwards worshiping our Father,  Grace to look outward to seek and save the lost, and Grace to bend down and lift the fallen.  He showed us His shepherd side, so we might become shepherds to a world distressed and dispirited.  Let's' reach up, reach out, and reach down to be like Jesus.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-15-16

Grace for your spirit
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.  Luke 2:10
When the angel and glory of the Lord appeared to these shepherds, they were afraid, but they did listen. The message of the Lord really was good tidings of great joy, as it was about Jesus.  If our phone rang today and someone said, "I bring you good tidings of great joy, we might be skeptical and hang up.  Many are skeptical when we come with the message of Jesus, but if we can help them get to know Him, the news will bring good news to them too.  Let's keep trying.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-14-16

Grace for your spirit
Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but your were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.   I Corinthians 6:11

The Apostle  Paul was confronted with moral chaos in the church at Corinth.  Their sins were not trivial, but in most cases flagrant abominations.  Did he have a solution and a remedy for this chaos? Yes He did.  It was Jesus.  The power of Jesus could wash the clean, make them holy, forgive them as if they have never sinned.  With their new lives, they were equipped to live the new life and spread the good news of Jesus.  if He could do it for them, He can do it for us. 

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-13-16

Grace for your spirit
I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.  Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die;  Revelation 3:1-2

This message from Jesus is addressed to one of the churches in Revelation, but may apply directly to us.  Are we "Standing on the Promises", or "Sleeping on the Premises"?  The name on our building may say we are alive, but are they like tombs with dead men's bones inside?  Is there still time to put us on life support, wake us up, and bring us back to life?  Yes, there is!  Let's Jesus, our spiritual EMT, go to work right now.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-12-16

Grace for your spirit
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.  Now the names of the apostles are these:

The list of the 12 apostles are listed later in these verses.  Before this time they were referred to as disciples. Now He beings to call them apostles. Why?  A disciple is a follower and a learner.  An apostle is one who is sent.  This commission they received change their identity.  We all began as disciples, followers, and learners.  When we run with the Great Commission, we fulfill the role of apostles.  First we come, take, and learn.  Then we go, disciple others, baptize and teach.  Let's fulfill our commission to come and go.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-9-16

Grace for your spirit
But  by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more that all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.  I Corinthians 15:10

If anyone criticizes us for what we used to be, or what we are accomplishing now,  remind the critics of grace.  Grace has erased what we used to be, and is guiding and directing our steps every day.  When our lives are filled with grace, never let anyone criticize our walk.   Let's continue our labor as God directs our steps, and give Him the glory.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-8-16

Grace for your spirit
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits.  Psalm 103:2

A major theme of God's Word is remembering.  Remembering God's guidance, remembering what happened when we followed Him, and remembering what happened when we didn't.  It has been said that "If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it."  God pardons, heals, redeems loves, and satisfies.  Monuments and special days remind us to be thankful.  Our most enduring monument is the cross of Christ, and His empty grave.  He is risen and He reigns.  Don't forget.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-7-16

Grace for your spirit
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins James 5:19-20

When we get involved in the lives of others with a view to help them spiritually, many great things can happen.  Souls are saved from death, and sins are forgiven.  Sins that might have happened are avoided, and even the sins of those helping the lost are reduced.  When anyone is involved in spiritual restoration, everybody benefits, as both the giver and receiver are more aware of God's will.  Let's get in the battle.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-6-16

Grace for your spirit
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law, you have fallen from grace.  Galatians 5:4

Our connection to saving grace, and the Holy Spirit of the living God, is directly connected to our relationship with Jesus Christ.  When we ignore the cross, stop walking by faith, and seek to be made right by our own works, we are severed from Christ, disconnected from the Holy Spirit, and indeed fall from grace.  Let's not lean on a vague doctrine that you cannot fall from grace, while we live in rebellion against the risen Lord.  Walk with Jesus, walk with grace.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-5-16

Grace for your spirit
Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.  But at midnight there was a shout, "Behold, the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.  Matthew 25:5-6

This is one of many stories about being ready to meet Jesus when He returns.  Jesus is the bridegroom, and we are to be His bride.  In this story, half of the virgins were ready to meet Him, and the other half were not. They all went to sleep, but at the awakening the ones who were ready went in and enjoyed the marriage.  The others came back when the doors were closed and ended up missing it all.  Let's be ready to meet Him every day, and not end up on the outside looking in

Friday, December 2, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-2-16

Grace for your spirit
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  II Corinthians 4:7

The light of the knowledge of Jesus Christ has shown in our hearts.  He has filled us with His light, and that treasure can potentially light up our whole world.  We are weak cracked pots, but we are designed to share His light, and give Him the glory.  As we remember, we are weak and He is strong, the message of Jesus will touch the hearts of many. Shine on.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Grace for your spirit 12-1-16

Grace for your spirit
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.  Isaiah 26:3

The steadfast of mind is fixed in direction, firm in purpose, unwavering, and established.  When we direct that resolve toward God, the benefits are great, and perfect peace will abide with us.  Let's trust in Him always and enjoy the steady blessings. Communication with Him in prayer and with study, will help insure proper direction