Thursday, August 31, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-31-17

Grace for  your spirit
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.   Romans 6:22

God grace in Christ Jesus can and will change us completely.  It will free us from the snare of the devil and sin, and make us slaves of God. From that point we derive many benefits;  His grace sanctifies us or makes us holy. which leads us directly to eternal life with Jesus.  Let's surrender to Him, and enjoy the ride.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-30-17

Grace for  your spirit
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  John 14:18

In the world of slavery Jesus lived in, you were either a son, or a slave. A son could be natural born or adopted by the head of the house.  Once adopted, they had all the rights and inheritance of a son.  Jesus came to establish His kingdom and allow us to be sons in His kingdom.  With the son ship we have a full inheritance in the kingdom of Jesus.  He will be back to reward us all.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-29-17

Grace for your spirit
Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  John 14:13

What great news this was for His apostles that night.  They had built a personal relationship with Jesus over three years, and now they had the promise that He would do whatever they asked for in His name.  Jesus was about to go to the cross.  He arose and ascended back to heaven, and became our mediator with God.  We have the same promise today. When we have our personal relationship with Jesus, He will hear our prayers and complete His will in our lives.  Now we all can abide, believe, ask, and receive.  What great news this is for us.

Monday, August 28, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-28-17

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

When we forget all our benefits, we are likely to become become unhappy and wander away.  That can happen on our  jobs, in our relationships, and certainly with the Lord.  This Psalm reminds us that God has pardoned us, healed us, redeemed us, crowned us, and satisfied  us in so many ways.  We need to remember all His benefits every day so we won't wander away.  Remember the devil is always recruiting. 

Friday, August 25, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-25-17

Grace for your spirit
These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;  Acts 17:6

How did they turn the world upside down?  Paul and Silas had accepted the challenge that others could not understand.  As followers of Jesus Christ, they went to preach the good news of Jesus including His death, burial, and resurrection.  Many people responded to their message, but others were upset.  Some would say they had turned the world right side up.  Our world still needs to be turned right side up, and it needs our help.  Help !

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-24-17

Grace for your spirit
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.  Psalm 19:1

Mark your calendars, hold your breath, in another 7  years, we will have another solar eclipse.  Or, we could use each one of  those days to declare the glory of God.  From sunrise, to moonrise, and the air we breathe everyday, we can give glory to God all along the way. Thank you Lord for the blessings of another day.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-23-17

Grace for your spirit
When I  consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained:  What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?  Psalm 8:3-4

On Dec 23, 1968, when Apollo 8 orbited the moon for the first time, the Astronauts, Lovell, Borman, and Andes, read from the Bible.  The world was impressed. This week, 49 years later, we all witnessed the show in the sky called a Solar Eclipse.  Everyone marveled at the science and math that calculated it all, but no mention of God. While we have the world looking up, this would be a good time to remind them about the one who made the earth, sun, and moon

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-22-17

Grace for your spirit
For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.  I Peter 3:12

When we think about God watching over us all the time, does it make us glad or sad?  When we walk in the path of the righteous it should make us glad to have His audience and His readiness to answer our prayers. When we are in the path of evil, we will probably feel His look as judgment against us.  If we feel judged by His eyes, may that be the motivation to get back to the light of God and walk in it.  He is waiting to hear our voice again.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-21-17

Grace for your spirit
But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.   I John 1:7

Today the moon will pass directly between the Sun and the Earth, and we will experience a Solar Eclipse.  There is a lot of hoopla expected over the event.  Many people experience an eclipse every day of their lives.  When we allow the sin in our lives to get directly between us and God, we walk in darkness, and lose our contact with the Son.  God wants us to keep active and growing so we never find ourselves in such a position.  Love the Son, and love the Light.  How about a little hoopla over that?

Friday, August 18, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-18-17

Grace for your spirit
When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through the waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.     Luke 11:24

When we are blessed to fill ourselves with the Spirit of Jesus and the Grace of God, He will push out the unclean spirits in our lives.  It is important that we keep our spiritual house filled with His presence and keep the door closed.  If we aren't careful to do so, those evil spirits will return sometimes seven times worse than it was before.  Yes, we all need to be on guard and keep our house full of God.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-17-17

Grace for your spirit
Son of Man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.  Ezekiel 3:17

Ezekiel was a man who could not afford to avoid controversy.  He had a message from God, and he clearly knew the consequences of not delivering that message.  He was appointed to warn people, and if He didn't warn them he would be help accountable.  Their blood would be on his hands. With the mission we have from Jesus, we can hardly afford to avoid controversy.  The message we have from Jesus is certainly urgent to lost souls, and for our souls as well.  Go ye, means go me.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-16-17

Grace for your spirit
She said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet in Samaria !  Then he would cure him of his leprosy.  II Kings 5:3

Your're going to love this little girl.  She was taken captive in Israel by an invading army, and then made a slave in the house of the captain of that army.  When her master got leprosy, what was her wish for him?  She wished for a cure from this deadly disease, and let it be known that there was a prophet in Israel who could cure him.  She wasn't bitter, not angry, did not seek revenge, but rather she wished the best for him. That prophet did bring healing to Naaman.  Don't you just love this little girl?  I hope we would all want to be like her.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-15-17

Grace for your spirit
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right circumstances.  Proverbs 25:11

I have a picture on the wall of my office of a gold apple in a silver bowl. It is very pretty.  Now all of us can paint a pretty picture every time we open our mouth.  When we have a good word, an uplifting word, an encouraging word, be ready to give it.  Let's be life lifters by speaking the right words at the right time.

Monday, August 14, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-14-17

Grace for your spirit
Behold as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.   Habakkuk 2:4

The only time our soul is ever right within us is when we humble ourselves enough to let God control our lives.  When we are proud and think we can handle everything ourselves, we push God, and righteousness by faith out the door.  This prophet was too proud to accept God's word, but he needed to change.  We need to walk by faith and not by self assurance.  Let's accept the promises and judgments from God whether we like them are not.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-11-17

Grace for your spirit
I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before for the land, so they would not destroy it; but I found no one.  Ezekiel 22:30

Those in the city behind the wall should feel secure unless there is a gap in the wall.  God recognized that there were vulnerable points in the defense system of His people, and He need the strongest, the boldest, and most faithful to fill those gaps.  Because He could find not one to stand in the gap, or be a watchman on the wall, the enemy came and destroyed them.  Today in the body of Christ, there are gaps that must be filled, and watchmen who need to be alert too.  Will we be the ones who are faithful, bold, and strong, so others can be at ease?  Let's be that one, and inspire others to do the same.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-10-17

Grace for your spirit
But the water that I give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.  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 4:14-15

Jesus did not lead this woman to the water, nor did He make her drink. He made her thirsty for the water. Once He created thirst, He couldn't keep her away from this water of life.   As we try to dispense the water of life, often we might find ourselves dragging people to the water and forcing it down their throats.  That is a mistake.  When we can make them thirsty for Jesus, they will take it from us, they will drink and continue to drink.    That's a long lasting disciple.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-9-17

Grace for your spirit
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.  Hebrews 13:7

There used to be a grocery store in town with a giant poster on the side of the building that stated, "Nose your meat, or nose your butcher."  In other words, if you don't know meat, know someone who does.  This has a relevant application to Christians living.  If we don't know the Word, know someone who does know the Word.  Consider the lives of the ones who know the Word, follow the Word, and imitate their faith.  Hopefully, someday, someone will want to know us.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-8-17

Grace for your spirit
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."  II Timothy 2:19

What a great foundation.  The Lord knows our name, and it has been written down in the Book of Life.  He knows our name because we have named His name.  By His name we are washed in the blood of the Lamb and living a life away from wickedness.  That strength is the strength of His church that cannot and will not be destroyed.  Let's be part of that foundation now and forever.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-7-17

Grace for your spirit
You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.  Deuteronomy 13:4

God knew there would be dreamers and false prophets who would bring amazing stories to the people.  The proof was in the directions of their teachings.  If there visions and prophecies were to lead us to other gods, they were not true and should be complete rejected.  He promised those false prophets would perish and so would those who followed them.  We must listen and give heed only to those who line up with the Word of God, and lead us to Him.  Listen, serve, and cling to Him. Reject all others.

Friday, August 4, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-4-17

Grace for your spirit
Then He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go speak to the house Israel."  Ezekiel 3:1

Ezekiel had many colorful illustrations with deep meanings.  The goal was for Ezekiel to hear the word of the Lord and proclaim His message to His people. "Eat it and go".   Our commission from Jesus is about the same.  He called us to "Come, Take, and Learn" feeding on His Word. Then Go, disciple, baptize, proclaiming Him to the world.  The scroll Ezekiel ate was sweet as honey.  The message of Jesus is even sweeter.  Let's go.

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-3-17

Grace for  your spirit
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate;  Genesis 3:6

Second look is the look of lust.  The second look and beyond are the ones that kill us.  Eve had seen the tree of knowledge of good and evil, along with the command of God to stay away.  Now the devil told her to look at it again his his eyes.  We can notice people and things each day without incident, but when we look again and linger, the wrong thoughts begin.  We will all see things and people today.  Just keep moving. That second look may kill us 

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-2-17

Grace for your spirit
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

As we travel through the life, if we can keep from stumbling, falling, and getting hurt, our journey is much more pleasurable.  God gives us the formula for success, and its really quite simple. Trust in God and His understanding, and put in first in all our thoughts.  The result will be a straight path.  The path to success, happiness, and eternity with Him.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Grace for your spirit 8-1-17

Grace for your spirit
Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled house while this house lies desolate?  Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, "Consider your ways  Haggai 1:4-5

After the captivity of Judah was over, God provided His people with all the resources they needed to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  Instead of doing that , they used the materials to build their own homes and left the temple in ruins.  Because of those decisions nothing was going right for them.  God said, "Hey, think in over, and consider your ways."  God has blessed all of us with time, talent, and resources.  Are we keeping them all for us own use, or using them for the Lord's work?  It is time for us to consider our ways.