Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-28-17

Grace for your spirit
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.  Matthew 6:24

Who is our Master?  How can we tell who will be our Master in the days to come?  Well, who are we listening to, and who has our ear?  If we are listening to the words of God, He will draw us to serve Him.  If we are listening and yielding to the word of the devil, we will be drawn to his service.  No, we can't do both.  That's why the Bible warns us time and time again to listen to what the Spirit is saying.  As the kid's song goes, "Oh be careful little ears what you hear."  Oh yes, that applies to big ears too.

Monday, February 27, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-27-17

Grace for your spirit
Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.    Ecclesiastes 7:9 

Anger that lingers, festers into hatred and revenge.  Anger is not like a single shot revolver.  It acts like a machine gun.  Once we pull the trigger, we can quickly lose control.  James said the anger of man will not achieve the righteousness of God.  So whether we call in anger or righteous indignation, only a fool hangs on to it.  If we have a "knee jerk" reaction to anger, it is time to "nip it".  Let's get it before it gets us.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-24-17

Grace for your spirit
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.  Romans 14:19

The body of Christ, the church, is filled with people from many diverse backgrounds.  The common ground is salvation in Christ and walking after His Spirit.  It is unreasonable to think or ask that we would be uniform in all our thoughts.  Christ called for unity and never expected uniformity.  When we are faced with differences, God calls for us not to be judgmental, nor to look at each other with contempt.  Let's do our best to maintain the unity of spirit and the bond of peace.  It takes skill to build up. Anyone can tear down.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-23-17

Grace for your spirit
The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw."  John 4:15

This woman had come to Jacob's well to fulfill her duty.  Providing water for her family for a day.  Jesus took this opportunity to share with her "living spiritual water" that would quench her thirst forever.  She was thirsty for his kind of water instantly.  Once a salesman, after failure to close a sale said, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."  His boss said, "Your job is not make him drink, but to make him thirsty."  None of us can make anyone drink, but we can make people thirsty to the refreshment Jesus offers. Drinks are on the house.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-22-17

Grace for your spirit
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance  II Peter 3:9

How many spend their time wondering when God is going to fulfill His promise to reward the faithful, and punish the ungodly?  When will it be? We don't know.  Why does He wait?  His goal is not punishment, but salvation for His creation.  It is not for us to guess His timing and reasons.  It is for us to live faithfully each day, hopefully anticipating His rewards.  Let's not be slow about that.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-21-17

Grace for your spirit
Therefore if 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 Christians life is all about "up"  We rise from the waters of baptism, we live a life seeking the things above where Christ is, and we have an ultimate goal to be seated in heavenly places with Christ.  Our biggest enemy is being dragged down by others.  I have many helium birthday balloons in my house.  As some of them lose their helium, they start pulling the other balloons down.  We empty ones need to be cut loose. Let's be aware.  Sometimes we need to cut away influences that drag us down spiritually.  Let's keep a careful eye on our direction.

Monday, February 20, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-20-17

Grace for your spirit
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.  I John 5:3

If we listen closely, we can hear when we are going to need new brakes on our cars.  When our breaks start "squeeking", it is a sign that our worn brakes need attention.  Failure to take heed may cause a serious accident or an expense repair bill.   There are also warning signs about our spiritual condition.  When we start failing to keep His commandments because they seem too hard, it is a clear indication that our love relationship with God needs immediate attention.  Let's repair that relationship before it gets worse.  Love God!

Friday, February 17, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-17-17

Grace for your spirit
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  John15:7

I like to remember this verse with four words.  Abide, Believe, Ask, Receive.  When we  take our steps to abide in Him, and His words abide in us, we would never think of asking anyone for anything before we go to the Lord 1st.  Our walk with Him will continue to build our confidence in His provision.  Abide, believe, ask, receive.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-16-17

Grace for your spirit
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people.  And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant.  Luke 1:68-69

Still waters run deep.  Zacharias, the priest and father of John the Baptist, had been silenced for many months.  During his forced silence, he was perceiving what was being accomplished.  His son was being called to be the forerunner of Jesus.  Salvation was on the way for everyone.  There truly would be victory in Jesus.  His being slow to speak, helped him be quick to listen and perceive.  We can all use some of that.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-15-17

Grace for your spirit
I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me.  Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.  Psalm 116:1-2

Have you ever had one of those life or death moments when you really need to get in touch with help?  You grab your phone and find out the battery is dead, or you can't get a signal, or there is so much interference you can't get help or maybe they just hang up on you.  None of those things will ever happen with God.  His number is Jere. 33:3.  "Call to Me and I will answer you." That's 537-3333.  All lines are open and He is standing by.  Make the call.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-14-17

Grace for your spirit
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.  John 14:15

Let's make Jesus our valentine today and take Him home with us.  Don't drop Him, or throw Him away on the way home.  When I was in 1st grade we all got valentines from everyone in our class.  One day I came home with none. My mother cross examined me, until she got a call from the neighbor down the street.  It seems I grew tired of carrying the envelope and just threw them away.  Let's not grow weary in well doing. Let's take our new valentine all the way home, keeping His commandments.

Monday, February 13, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-13-17

Grace for your spirit
But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;  Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress.  Psalm 59:16

God directs and encourages all of us to make a joyful noise, to make melody in our hearts, and to teach and encourage each other with songs.  It is not optional and is absolutely necessary when we have felt the strength, joy, and love of the Lord in our life.  If we have been wandering outside the refuge of God, we may not have a song.  Let's come on in to His stronghold.  That sense of His presence will light up our lives and give us a new song.  Our songs tell a lot.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-10-17

Grace for your spirit
Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.   Deuteronomy 30:6

We read the words of Jesus in the New Testament, Matthew 22, about the greatest command, "Loving the Lord your God with all your heart and soul."  We see the words of Paul in Colossians 2 , about our circumcision of heart, and might think it is only a New Testament thought. But look over 1400 years before Jesus came.  It was always God's vision for His people.  Loving God and separation from sin is are things that never grow out of style.  With Jesus in our hearts, we can accomplish both.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-9-17

Grace for your spirit
Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths all the days of the desolation, while you are in your enemies' land; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths.   Leviticus 26:34

God had a long term plan for the agricultural prosperity in the promised land.  It was the sabbatical year every seven years.  They were supposed to let the land rest. The greedy people skipped 70 sabbatical years and it came a time for them to pay.  They wrote their own ticket to captivity, and were in Babylon 70  years. What? God knew that over 800 years before it came to pass?  Yes indeed.  When we ignore the commands of God, often we are writing our own ticket to judgment.  Let's take a closer look before it is too late.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-8-17

Grace for your spirit
"Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him? declares the Lord. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the Lord.  Jeremiah 23:24

From the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the judgment rocks falling in Revelation, it seems guilty mankind is always looking for a place to hide. We cannot play "hide and go seek" with God, because He knows where we are all the time.  We might think we can hide in the dark, but Psalm 139 reminds us that light and darkness are the same to God. When sin and judgment is staring us in the face, we need to go find God before He gets to us.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-7-17

Grace for your spirit
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of the were cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.  Luke 4:27

This healing from leprosy started with the faith of a little girl.  This little girl was a captive and served in Naaman's house.  Her faith and her concern for someone struggling caused her to express her faith.  She said, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy."  This word started a chain of events that ended up with the healing of Naaman.  From the mouth of babes!  We never know the good that can come when we express our faith.  Let's never let our troubles stop us from doing good.

Monday, February 6, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-6-17

Grace for your spirit
Whatever  you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.  Colossians 3:23

Did you ever have a job you couldn't stand?  That is usually combined with a boss and coworkers you couldn't stand as well.  At those times when we might not want to do a good job, it is time to remember that all our work ultimately is for the Lord.  In everything, we are not here to please men, but with sincerity of heart fear the Lord.  Maybe we need to read this verse everyday before we go to work.  Let's make our Lord proud on the job.  We will be blessed.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-3-17

Grace for your spirit
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Let  your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  Psalm 143:10

Throughout  Psalms and Proverbs there is a reoccurring theme about our walk with God.  The request is often for a straight path and level ground.  It is a request for God's Spirit to choose our path for us, and make that path the best ever.  A crooked, uneven path, can cause us to stumble and fall.  Let's resolve to be in His will and walk after His Spirit. After that our steps will be sure and successful.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-2-17

Grace for your spirit
Why the Law then?  It was added because of transgression. Galatians 3:19

A neighbor boy was playing in our backyard.  While there, he dug up our rock patio . When asked why, he answered, "You didn't tell me not to".  The next time they saw him, they gave him a long list of "not to's" Now you can know why God's Law had so many "Thou shalt not's"
Unfortunately, people find a way around "thou shall not's". Do we have to be controlled by "thou shalt not", or can we find a better way?  A better way is to have Christ living in our hearts and let His Spirit direct us to what is right.  Walking in His steps, we will find the way to do right all the time. 

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Grace for your spirit 2-1-17

Grace for your spirit
The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.  The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.  Psalm 121:7-8

God is promising comprehensive blanket coverage for us all.  We will have constant protection, soul, mind and body,   This phrase, "going out and coming in" is a figure of speech used many times in the Old Testament.  It meant one would have the strength of body to go out to war, and the strength of mind to come in for counsel.  What a promise. Strength of mind and body is a great blessing.  Let's claim it with our faithfulness