Friday, September 29, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-29-17

Grace for your spirit
Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine, where are they? Was no one found what returned to give glory to God, except for this foreigner ?  Luke 17:17-18

One day Jesus healed ten men of dreaded leprosy.  Nine were of Judah and one foreigner.  Only one who returned to say thanks and give glory to God.  Which one?  Apparently the foreigner didn't think he deserved the blessing and it led him back to Jesus. Do we think we deserve all of God's blessings and does that lead us away from Jesus?    I hope we will never be like ungrateful children who think, everything is "too little and too late."  May we always feel grateful, undeserving, and give glory to God.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-28-17

Grace for your spirit
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name    
Ephesians 3:14-15

The apostle Paul prayed for the strength of all Christ's disciples, that they might be seated with Christ, walk worthy of their calling, and stand firm against the attacks of the devil.  Successful sitting, walking, and standing, begins with successful kneeling.  Let's all take a knee for Jesus.  It is good practice for when we must bow before Him in the last  day.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-27-17

Grace for your spirit
Every word of God is tested; He us a shield to those who take refuge in Him.  Proverbs 30:5

We enjoy the confidence that we can have when purchasing anything that has been tried and tested.  We read reviews and ask around for good measure.  Nothing has been tried, tested, and proven to help us like the Word of God.  The inspired word of God has passed all the tests of time and experiences.  The law of the Lord really is perfect for our every need.  Keep it close.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-26-17

Grace for your spirit
All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass.  The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord endures forever.  I Peter 1:24-25

We see the transition of the seasons every year.  Grass and flowers come and go.  We also see the transition of life.  The bloom of life is soon gone, and the days of life pass.  What we need is something that does not change with the seasons, that gives us stability.  That stable force is the word of God. How can we meet out all the changes in life, and be prepared for anything?  The Lord's unchanging word is the only answer.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-25-17

Grace for your spirit
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest  Matthew 9:37-38

As Jesus walked about, there was no end to the troubles and problems.  Wherever He walked He proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom, healing every kind of disease.  He saw that they were distressed and was filled with compassion.  Jesus desired to plant that heart of compassion into His disciples.  Matching the gospel with compassion would fill the field with workers for the harvest.  When we know the good news, let's catch His compassion and go into the field.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-22-17

Grace for your spirit
Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Acts 27:22

For many days and nights, this ship carrying the apostle Paul was driven by a great storm. 276 lives were thrown together in a desperate situation with one promise and one hope. Don’t give up the ship. Many decisions were made, some right, some wrong. Some complained, some almost gave up, some doubted, but the ship still went on as promised. When we become Christians, God places us His Ship of Hope. Sometimes, our ship hits the storms of life, and it may seem hopeless. God’s message is the same for us. Don’t give up the ship. It is the only way to salvation. We may make mistakes, have doubts, fight, complain, and almost give up. But remember this one thing. Don’t give up the ship. Victory will soon be seen.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-21-17

Grace for your spirit
But as for Israel He says, "All the day long I have stretched out My hand to a disobedient and obstinate people."  Romans 10:21

Romans chapters 9-11 are verses dedicated to the restoration of Israel.  Paul's heart's desire was for their salvation, and that they would be grafted back into the olive tree of God.  Did they not hear?  Did they not know?  Scripture says that God stretched out his hand to a disobedient and obstinate people, and they refused.  May we never be so disobedient and obstinate that can cannot and will not hear the truth.  Let's hear God's Word and follow it.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-20-17

Grace for your spirit
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.    James 4:4

As Christians, we take on the identity of being the bride of Christ.  We take His name, and give Him all our love and devotion.  If our eye wanders and we become friends of the world, that makes us a hostile enemy of God.  That unfaithfulness will cause us to commit spiritual adultery with Jesus.  May our devotion be unwavering.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-19-17

Grace for your spirit
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.  Psalm 139:23-24

The key to the peaceful life is being completely transparent before God.   The willingness to invite God into our thoughts, and accept His direction to the right and everlasting way.  It is great when someone can "see right through us", and they love what they see. It's even greater when God loves what He sees.  When we accept His leadership, we can be there.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-18-17

Grace for your spirit
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify  your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

When we find ourselves with dirty hands, in sin with evil hearts, thinking one way and then another, we are living far from God.  God has a plan to cleanse us, redeem us, purify us, and get us to be stable in our thinking.  When we desire to draw near to God, He will draw near to us and accomplish what we need.  The way to God is through Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.  God's will in God's way.  Come on.

Friday, September 15, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-15-17

Grace for your spirit
Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good. 
 I Peter 3:13

All of the apostle Paul's Spirit inspired letter are designed to warn and encourage each of us.  They also remind of us the great salvation we have in Christ.  Then they show us what could happen if we forsake our Master.  These reminders are crucial in our Christian walk.  We really are more than conquerors through Him.   There really is no one to harm us when we walk in His light.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-14-17

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

The book of Romans talks about our mindset.  There is a mindset on the Spirit, and also a mindset on the flesh.  When our mindset is on the flesh, we will be "all over the place."  When we choose a mindset on the Spirit, we will never waver because He never wavers.  That steadfast unwavering mind, God will keep in perfect peace.  Let's put our trust in Him and enjoy the ride of perfect peace.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-13-17

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

Jesus promised us that if we knocked, He would opened for us.  Will we be neighborly and open for Him?  Or do sit behind our door silently with the lights off, hoping He will quit knocking and go away?  He already knows what we are like, and how the house looks, so open up.  He can help us if we will trust and obey.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-12-17

Grace for your spirit
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.  Ephesians 2:13-14

In the Old Covenant with God, the good news was for the Jews.  There was a rule of law that set a wall between them and everyone else. Jesus came to tear down that wall and make God's blessings available to everyone.  The segregation between Jews and Gentiles is dissolved by the blood of Jesus.  As the song says, "there is room at the cross for you."  Enjoy the peace.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-11-17

Grace for your spirit
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.  John 13:35

Where were you on 9/11?  Most people remember where they were 16 years ago today when they first heard news of the attack on America.  It plunged us into war that continues to this day.  Many still have hatred and revenge in their hearts because of who they lost on that day. Hatred and revenge usually changes no one but us.  Only the love of Jesus can really turn the world. Words from a song say, "If coal can turn to diamonds, if sand can turn to pearls, if a worm can turn to butterflies, then love can turn the world."  Where will we be when we start loving our enemies, and will we remember it as well? 

Friday, September 8, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-8-17

Grace for your spirit
What we have seen and heard we proclaim to  you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.   I John 1:3

The apostles heard and saw the majesty of Christ. They wrote it down so that by faith, we also can behold His majesty.  We share that joint fellowship with them, and in turn the fellowship they had with our Father and Jesus.  Now we have a fellowship to proclaim to our world.  That fellowship is certainly a message of good news.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-7-17

Grace for your spirit
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy. Jude 24

The older we get, the more concerned we will get about stumbling and falling.  We start to realize our next fall could be our last fall.  For that reason, we need to be careful how we walk and where we step.  The same is true in our spiritual walk.  Falling is so easy, but God is able to keep us from stumbling, plus strengthen us to stand firm against the things that might knock us over.  Thank you Lord for being able.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9--6-17

Grace for your spirit
Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of God will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.  John 6:27

Everyone needs to do something to "make a living."  All of those rewards we receive will be used up or perish.  Jesus is challenging us to work for the things that endure to eternal life.  God has promised us that the blessings we receive in His service will endure forever.  Our work for the Lord makes an "eternal living" for us all.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-5-17

Grace for your spirit
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Ephesians 4:30

The Spirit of God He left for us is a down payment on all the blessings that will come.  Jesus not only gave us His blood to redeem us, but He gave us a spark of Deity to seal us.  It is His pledge and our assurance that he is coming back again.  When we walk in disobedience it grieves God and the Spirit that should be guiding us.  Let's take care not to do that.

Friday, September 1, 2017

Grace for your spirit 9-1-17

Grace for your spirit
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything,  you may have an abundance of every good deed.  II Corinthians 9:8

God is able.  Yes, God is able.  In all our challenges in life these are three words we need to keep first in our mind.  When we sin and fall short, His grace is able.  When we are down to our last nickel, His grace is able to supply.  When we are filled with despair, His grace can lift us out of the deepest pit.  As the song goes, He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today.