Friday, April 28, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-28-17

Grace for your spirit
He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.  Proverbs 10:17

It is impossible to stay on the path of life when we isolate ourselves from encouragement and instruction.  We need to take in all the reproof, rebuking, and exhortation we can get.  When we combine our GPS (God's Plan of Salvation) with the Spirit He gives us, and the brethren around us, we will not go astray.  Let's gather all the information we can and choose carefully before our next step.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-27-17

Grace for your spirit
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.  Proverbs 4:23

Jesus said that the things that come out of our mouth, come from the heart.  The heart can defile a man and defile his words.  What lives in our heart and is said by our mouth determines our life.  May the flow that comes from us be refreshing to us and all we meet.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-26-17

Grace for your spirit
Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding in deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.  Acts 9:36

This is a great story about how kindness can touch hearts. This woman, Dorcas, touched the hearts of many with her service, her sewing, and her kindness.  When she died there was much sadness and weeping. They also sent for the Apostle Peter was able to come and restore her life to her.  This whole event had a big impact on the entire area, and caused many to believe.  It started with kindness that turned into service.  It is time for all of us to try that formula.  Kindness with Service.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-25-17

Grace for your spirit
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, "From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.  John 7:38

When Jesus spoke these words, He was referring the Spirit He was going to send.  When we believe in Him, His spirit will most certainly fill us up to overflowing.  As His Spirit overflows, it becomes the source of refreshment and nourishment to all who accept Him.  May we never find ourselves dry.  Like Elisha, let's ask God for a double portion,  so we can be a continual river of life for all who meet us. 

Monday, April 24, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-24-17

Grace for your spirit
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In your right hand there are pleasures forever.  Psalm 16:11

What is the way to eternal life?  Where can we find joy and pleasure forever?  God has a path for us and He can show us the way that will last for all eternity.  Jesus tells us in John 14:6 when He said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through Me."
There we have it.  God has the blessings and Jesus is the way.  Let's develop a partnership with them and enjoy both the journey and the destination.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-21-17

Grace for your spirit
As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.  Psalm 18:30

If we wake up in a mine field someday where our next step will be life or death, what kind of directions would we like?  We would like directions from someone who is right, tried, true, able to protect, and take care of us.  Our walk through life is filled with danger and troubles.  Who shall we choose to keep us safe and well in such troubled times ?  When we choose to walk in God's footsteps, we can walk with confidence.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-20-17

Grace for your spirit
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.  I Corinthians 1:10

In Ephesian 4, Scripture also appeals to all in preserving the unity in the bond of peace.  Can that be achieved?  How?  If we observe one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, on baptism, and one God, unity can be achieved.  If we all feed on the same Word, we all can be made complete in Christ without divisions.  You see it can be done if we are willing.  Are we?

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-19-17

Grace for your spirit 
So give Your servant an understanding  heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil.  For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?  I Kings 3:9

God was pleased with with Solomon's request.  He chose wisdom over money, power, or long life, and God granted him all of it..  Solomon's kingdom had a great start, but a sad ending.  Solomon failed to exercise that wisdom daily and it wasn't long until He was not living in God's will at all.  We may know the right thing to ask for in our requests to God, but let us never forget that we need to renew those requests and exercise them daily to stay active.  The term, "use it or lose it" really does apply here.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-18-17

Grace for your spirit
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.  Ecclesiastes 8:11

How many times have we heard people say, "If what I am doing is evil, then why hasn't God punished me ?"  That reasoning is certainly not solid ground in determining our behavior.  Just because lightning doesn't strike us dead, does not mean things will be well with us.  We need to learn God's will, pattern our behavior after it, and enjoy the long term fruits of our reward.  May our behavior be based on love of Jesus and not on bolts of lightning.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-17-17

Grace for your spirit
When they came to the place call The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.  Luke 24:33

At the end of the day all three of these men were dead.  The man in the middle, Jesus, had died FOR our sins.  One of the criminals hurled abuse at Jesus, and he died IN his sins.  The third man defended Jesus and asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. This man died TO sin, finding a place in Paradise.  When we see Jesus, will be the one dying in sin, or the one dying to sin in repentance?  All of us are either one or the other.   May God give us the grace to trust and obey.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-14-17

Grace for your spirit
"Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:32

Two men were on the road to Emmaus on the day Jesus rose from the dead.  Jesus walked and talked with them and then revealed to them who He was.  The revelation of the resurrected Savior moved them to action.  They immediately returned to Jerusalem and proclaimed the good news.  The burning in their hearts set their lips on fire.  When we truly experience Jesus, He will burn within us, change our lives, and set us on fire as well.   Have we felt the burning in His presence yet?

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-13-17

Grace for your spirit
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures     I Corinthians 15:3-4

There is a man I greet every time I see him with the question, "What do you know"?   He always answers, "I know Jesus died for me, arose from the dead, by which I am saved."  How many times do people greet us with these questions; "How you doing" or "What do you know" ?  This is an excellent opening for us to share our faith and trust in a living Savior, Jesus Christ.  Then ask them to Come and see!

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-12-17

Grace for your spirit
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26

When it seemed that Jeremiah the prophet had lost everything dear to him, he wrote, "The Lord is my portion says my soul.  Therefore I will hope in Him."  When our flesh and our heart has failed us, let's ask for an extra portion of God's spirit that never fails.  When Elisha knew the challenges before him were overwhelming, what did he ask for ? He asked for a double portion of the Spirit.  Ask and we shall receive too 

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-11-17

Grace for your spirit
For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.  II Thessalonians  5:2

"O was that today?"  We often hear this from people who never remember where they were supposed to be, but none of us will miss the day of the Lord.  Revelation states, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him". The time of His second coming is a mystery, but the event is clearly seen in Scripture.  Let's be ready every day. so we will to be ready all the time.  Let's keep the surprises to a minimum. so we won't have to say someday, "Uh-oh, was that today?"

Monday, April 10, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-10-17

Grace for your spirit
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  I Timothy 6:17

Can the love of money be the root of all sorts of evil ?  Oh yes.  When one fixes all their hopes on it, and becomes conceited because of it, when it is gone the fall can be painful.  It is better that we are generous and lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven.  Riches can fail, but the righteousness of God never fails.  Everything belongs to God anyway. Let's thank Him for letting us use it.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-7-17

Grace for your spirit
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glory  your Father who is in heaven.  
Matthew 5:16

"Brighten the corner where you are" is a song about being satisfied and doing our best no matter where we are, like it or not.   The song goes on to say that we shouldn't wait for some great talent, or some great event, just do what we can.  Why?  "Someone far from harbor "you" may guide across the bar."  We not only help ourselves, but others in trouble too. Much like another gospel song;  "Let the lower lights be burning."

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-6-17

Grace for your spirit
For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.

A kindred spirit comes from someone who is related, like minded, and cares for others more than themselves. Note the root of the word is kind.  Paul and Timothy were brothers in Christ, father and son in the spirit, and kindred spirits.  They were someone everyone could look to for help.  Do we have a kindred spirit?  A spirit of giving and caring ? Let's pray that we will find one and be one.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-5-17

Grace for your spirit
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.   
I Timothy 6:17

There is a tendency for us to think that God is always talking about somebody else.  We are indeed the rich of this world.  When we start to love our riches, fix our hope on our riches, and not use the resources God has blessed us with, riches will take us down.  In the story of Silas Marner, the one who stole the gold fell into a gravel pit.  Refusing to let go of the gold, he drowned in the water.  When we love riches, and place our hope on them, it will take us down too.  Trust in the Lord.  He will lift us up.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-4-17

Grace for your spirit
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.  Proverbs 12:15

Have you ever enjoyed being around a "know it all" ?  They often think they they know everything, think they're right all the time, and don't take any advice from anyone.  The Bible calls this person a fool.  When God calls us a fool, we really are one.  Let's be wise, look wise, and make wise decisions.  If we can humble ourselves, ask for help, and take good advice, it is a wise choice. 

Monday, April 3, 2017

Grace for your spirit 4-3-17

Grace for your spirit
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.   Deuteronomy 18:15

Moses was the prophet of the Old Covenant, the Law giver and deliverer.  He knew full well that he was only a shadow of the real thing that would come.  Jesus became the redeemer and deliverer under the New Covenant of God.  One of the most confusing and misunderstood teachings in the Bible is the difference between the Old and New.  A close examination will reveal that all of the Old Prophets direct us to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.