Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-31-17

Grace for your spirit
A false witness will not go  unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape.  Proverbs 19:5

From "thou shalt not bear false witness" in 10 commandments, to the punishment for liars in the lake of fire in Revelations, liars are universally condemned.  The web we weave when we first start to deceive just gets worse and worse.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-30-17

Grace for your spirit
Your boasting is not good.  Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?  Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump.  I Corinthians 5:6-7

Good and bad leaven can both work the same.  They take over the whole lump for better or worse.  Here the church was letting evil take over the whole body.  Christ was supposed to be good leaven to change the people, but first the old had to be removed.  We may want God to "bless our mess", but His plan is repentance first.  When we die to sin, He will wash it away and fill us with His Spirit 

Friday, October 27, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-27-17

Grace for your spirit
Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?  Or can a man walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?  Proverbs 6:27-28

The stench of sin sticks with us like smoke and fire.  Many people "kid" themselves thinking they can play with sin without any consequences or anyone knowing about it.  When we covet things we should not have, the smell of that sin lingers.  The Devil makes us think we can do anything and no one will ever know.  Like everything else, the Devil lies. 

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-26-17

Grace for your spirit
Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.  Psalm 57:1

It is great to have a bomb shelter and a fall out shelter if war comes our way.  A storm shelter is a great place to ride out a tornado, but the ultimate shelter is the refuge God offers.  Our lives will be subject to destructive attacks at times.  When we choose to take refuge in God, He knows how to bless us and keeps us.  It is great to have that access until trouble passes.  He is gracious.  We just need to be receptive.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-25-17

Grace for your spirit
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.  Genesis 50:20

Life is not easy, certain, or fair, but don't give up the ship.  God is in it all.  Noah, Abraham, Esau, Job, and all those who lived by faith learned that.  Joseph lived in captivity without his family most of his life. It was not easy, certain, or fair.  Everyone eventually discovered that God hand and purpose was in it to save their lives.  Let's not be like a child who stomps their foot and says "Not Fair".  Stick with God.  Ultimately we will see God's truth when we trust in Him.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-24-17

Grace for  your spirit
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.  II Cor 1:21-22

The Spirit that God left with us and in us, is His pledge that He will return to redeem us.  One translation renders this "the earnest of the Spirit" in our hearts.  When we buy some property and leave a down payment, it is called "earnest money".  Our guarantee that we will return to pay the rest.  The Holy Spirit is a down payment.  A pledge that Jesus will return to redeem us. Established with Christ, anointed by God, and sealed with the Holy Spirit.  Let's wait with confidence.

Monday, October 23, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-23-17

Grace for your spirit
Ah Lord God! Behold You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You.   Jeremiah 32:17

Jeremiah is warning up for prayer during a very difficult time.  Jerusalem is falling apart while Babylon is knocking on the door.  People are making preparation,  while Jeremiah approaches God.  When we are going to make an appeal to God, it is profitable for us to praise the Lord and proclaim that we believe He can help.  God is big enough to handle our biggest need.  Nothing is too difficult for Him.  Really !

Friday, October 20, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-20-17

Grace for your spirit
He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.  Proverbs 18:13

Most of us are horrible listeners.  Instead of listening, we wait to talk.  Often we have an answer ready before there is any question.  This not only makes us look silly, but it confirms that suspicion that we are not even thinking about the one who is talking.  Let's start taking more of an interest in others.  Listen with interest and respond with compassion.  It will help us bond to people.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-19-17

Grace for your spirit
He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker;  He who rejoiced at calamity will not go  unpunished.  Proverbs 17:5

Do we make fun of those we think are beneath us, or have great difficulties in life?  Jesus instructs us to learn compassion and care for those in need.  Helping the poor gives honor to God.  Helping people out of their troubles honors Him as well.  May we not only wear the Christian name, but also reach out to others with His name.  There is no room for mocking in that lifestyle.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-18-17

Grace for your spirit
Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.  Proverbs 20:3

As we travel through life and deal with others, it is often difficult to avoid strife and ignorance.  It is easy to be drawn into quarrels and try to make our point.  If we must have the "last word" in every discussion, it is likely that the fight will never end.  I have found two things that will keep us from strife and restore honor to us.  They are simple.  "Let it go", and "Get over it".  That is always the way to win.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-17-17

Grace for your spirit
He who separates himself seeks his own desire. He quarrels against all sound wisdom.    Proverbs 18:1

God has designed us to be enriched with fellowship.  The body of Christ, the church, is all about growing in Christ with the help of others.  As part of the body, it is healthy to be connected and share wisdom with others.  If we found a severed hand in our refrigerator, it would likely make us sick.  It is just wrong because it is suppose to be connected to an arm.  Let's get together and grow together in Christ.  We're supposed to be connected.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-16-17

Grace for your spirit
How long, O Lord?  Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?   Psalm 13:1

Perhaps we have all went through some suffering at some time.  As we search for God in study and prayer, we hope for relief.  It never seems to get to us fast enough does it?  Maybe we have cried out, "How long, Lord?"  God told the prophet Habakkuk, "The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him."   Let's learn to wait patiently.  Help is on the way.  Trust, rejoice, and sing it out

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-11-17

Grace for your spirit
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.  Proverbs 16:3

If we are starting a business or building something, our plans must be submitted and approved by the authorities. If our plans don't line up with theirs, nothing happens,  How about our life decisions?  Are we willing to submit our plans to the Lord for approval ?  As we look down the road of life, do we see any place or any time that our plans intersect with the plans of God ?  We need to make it so, then our plans will be successful.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-10-17

Grace for your spirit
To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.   Acts 26:18

When Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, He was there to appoint Saul a minister and a witness to those who did not know God.  To preach the good news and turn the people from darkness, Satan, and sin.   We may not see Jesus on a road with a bright light, but our commission and direction is still exactly the same.  We all have an appointment to spread the good news of Jesus.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-9-17

Grace for your spirit
Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.  John 14:23

What greater promise than the promise of the Godhead moving in with us.  When we love Jesus, and keep His word, what happens?  God loves us, and Our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit come home with us.  Then what happens?  We walk securely with them.  God has decided. What have we decided ?

Friday, October 6, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-6-17

Grace for your spirit
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
I Corinthians 1:18

When we know Jesus died for our sins, rose for our justification, ascended to heaven to be our mediator, and will come again to take us home, the word of the cross is victory over everything.   It is not surprising that those who walk in darkness without hope will think that the word of the cross can't change everything, but it can.  The cross of Christ is the central point of all the past and future.  If we think it is foolishness, beware.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-5-17

Grace for your spirit
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11

When rain comes down from heaven, it does not return without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout.  It the same way, when we spread the word of God, it always accomplishing what God desires.  We may not see immediate results, but they will come in due time.  Let's continue to spread His word, and expect great results.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-4-17

Grace for your spirit
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.  I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.  Psalm 84:10

What a great testimony this is for being close to God.  Just give me one day with God, and it surpasses a thousand days elsewhere.  Just a place in God's doorway is greater than a big tent in the world.  People long for riches, power, and love, but this one yearned for the presence of God.  Imagine how our lives would change for the better if we  yearned to be close to God, and in His presence.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Grace for your spirit 10-3-17

Grace for your spirit
Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.  Deuteronomy 4:9

This message from Moses to the children of Israel is as relevant today as it was then.  We need grow spiritually, and put into practice the things that we have learned, seen, and heard.  Keep them close so they never go away.  Then pass all of it on to our family, friends, and those we meet.  This is God's plan for us today.  Have we fallen down and failed in our mission to please God?  Let's backtrack, get it right, and pass it on.