Thursday, November 30, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-30-17

Grace for your spirit
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power, when He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.    Hebrews 1:3

This is the description of Jesus.  Who He is, what He did, and what He is doing now.   He was the word that became flesh and dwelt among us,  to redeem us, and intercede for us.  The bonus is that we can also see the nature of the unseen God, because Jesus was God in the flesh.  Cling to no other.  Jesus is the Alpha and Omega.  The beginning and the end.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-29-17

Grace for your spirit
Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.  Romans 13:11

Many years ago, a bishop was staying over night at the minister's house. It was the son's honor to awaken the bishop with these exact words;  "It's the boy, my Lord. It is time to get up."  Unfortunately, the next morning he stumbled on his words and said, "It's the Lord, my boy, You're time is up."  It is certainly time for us to wake up and be faithful before our time is up.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-28-17

Grace for your spirit
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress.  My God in whom I trust!"  Psalm 91:1-2

Many expend much effort to build storm and bomb shelters to protect themselves against the unknown.  While that may be wise, it is even wiser to seek the shelter of God for every day.  The fortress of the Almighty God is greater than any human effort.  When we make the decisions to trust in God's protection, may we also say, "He is my refuge and I will trust in Him.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-27-17

Grace for your spirit
For His anger is  but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5

We are God's children.  The sheep of His pasture.  He loves us the same on our best day and our worst day.  As angry as He might become because of our rebellion, His grace always outlives His wrath. Things always look worse in the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.  In the light of day when we return to Him, we will shout with joy.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-22-17

Grace for your spirit
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. And whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to Him through God the Father. Colossians 3:15+17

As we gather together to give thanks, may we be leaders in showing hearts of thankfulness. This may be the best time for us to display our Christians heart to the world. Don't leave home without it.  
Three keys to a happy thanksgiving
1) Be happy
2) Be thankful
3) Be giving

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-21-17

Grace for your spirit
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself as example of those who believe.  I Timothy 4:12

We sing a song about letting our light shine.  We sing of letting our light shine on the street, at work, and in the church  We do need to show ourselves an example of a believer wherever we go.  People are watching us all the time to see how we live, and how we respond in many different settings.  What a great testimony it is that someone would say the we are an example of a Christian. 

Monday, November 20, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-20-17

Grace for your spirit
For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.  I Peter 4:3

What we did in the past is not important.  What we are doing now because Jesus is in our lives is the key.  The times that we loved to run with the world needs to be over.  Along with our conversion to Christ, the things we do needs to change as well.  When the world sees we are not running the same as we used to, they will malign us.  Let's be glad they can see we have changed and glorify God.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-17-17

Grace for your spirit
Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.   I Timothy 4:16

The Scriptures are constantly attempting to groom us to be an outstanding disciple of Christ.  All the principles and examples we see won't do any of us any good, if they go "in one ear and out the other".  Paul  here encourages us to be so absorbed in Christ, that our progress will be evident to everyone.  With that example, and the inspired word, we will have a great opportunity to share Christ with the lost.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-16-17

Grace for your spirit
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.  I Corinthians 16:13:14

In our Christian walk, we need to stay alert on so many levels  Alert to keep our faith strong, alert to be men and women of strength, and just as important, look on all our challenges in love.  Faith, strength, love.  Key words to complete our Christian service, giving glory to God.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-15-17

Grace for  your spirit
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  Romans 13:10

Do we have trouble remembering all the laws God has for us?  Which ones are the most important?  They asked Jesus, and He answered with one law.  Love God and love your neighbor.  For all the ten commandments and the thousands of other laws in the Bible, they all can be fulfilled with true love. When we honor God and people with love, the rest of the details take care of themselves.  Try it.  You' ll like it.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-14-17

Grace for your spirit
The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit.   Psalm 34:17-18

When we are troubled, brokenhearted, and cry out for help, does anyone hear us ?  Is there anyone who cares, and can help in our time of need?  The righteous can say, "YES".  Let's have confidence that the Lord is always near enough to hear and to help.  This will help us all live with faith and confidence.  Keep Him close.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-13-17

Grace for your spirit
Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord.  Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  Nehemiah 8:10

God's people had returned to Jerusalem and the wall was built.  The word of the Lord was read for them  and they realized their sins caused them all their griefs.  They were reminded not to grieve because the good things were yet to come.  Their repentance put them back in the light of the Lord.  Celebrate.  The joy of the Lord is and will be your strength.  When we've been restored from our sins, celebrate. The joy of the Lord is our strength too.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-10-17

Grace for your spirit
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8

Most of us take care when we prepare for bed.  We depend on our earthly comforts to help us be comfortable.  Good mattress, right temperature, and doors locked give us a sense of peace.  Let's not forget our most important benefit.  While we sleep, God is awake.  Our first prayer may have been, "Now I lay me down to sleep..."  Let's resurrect our bedtime prayers, and in peace we will lie down and sleep.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-9-17

Grace for your spirit
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  Proverbs 15:1

He who shouts the loudest does not win the argument, nor make his point.  Loud angry speech elevates until one looses control.  The soft gentle answer displays confidence.  Try this the next time someone is  tempting us into a shouting match.  Every time they raise their voice, let's lower ours.  Let's not let the harsh word stir us to anger.  That's the way, "the gentle shall inherit the earth."

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-8-17

Grace for your spirit
Jacob said, "No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.  Genesis 33:10

Jacob stole Esau's birthright and all his blessings.  From that time on, Jacob was very afraid of Esau, fearing revenge.  This was a new day for Jacob.  Esau told Jacob that he needed no gift because he was blessed.  Jacob saw forgiveness, reconciliation, and love in the face of Esau, just as one sees in the presence of God.  Wouldn't it be great if people saw God in our faces ?  May we develop the compassion of God, and it will be reflected in our faces.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-7-17

Grace for your spirit
How can  you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye", and behold the log is in our own eye?   Matthew 7:3

Let's be careful they way we judge others.  Most of the time when we judge others, it is obvious to everyone else that our sins are larger.  We see the speck in others, but missed the log in our own eye.  God certainly wants us help others get the speck out of their eyes, but first He wants us to take the log out of our own eyes.  In other words, let's not be hypocrites.  Let's repent and get rid of our sins and that will help us help others.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-6-17

Grace for your spirit
Then Samson called to the Lord and said, "O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes,"  Judges 16:28

Samson was supposed to be Israel's great liberator, and bring them victory over the Philistines.  Unfortunately, most of his life he focused on himself, and made his mission a disgrace.  Now his strength had returned and he had a plan to push down their temple.  His final prayer reflects his life.  There is no praise of God nor repentance for his wasted life.  It was ME. ME, I, MY, for revenge against his enemies.  When we're in trouble, is this our prayer too?  Me, Me, I, My?  Lord teach us how to pray, and teach us how to live to complete our mission.

Friday, November 3, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-3-17

Grace for your spirit
However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off.  Judges 16:22

Have we been snatched bald headed by the devil?  Are we powerless, blind, and chained in the dungeon like Samson?  Look in the mirror.  Is our hair  beginning to grow? Do we feel strength coming back?  Let's be in prayer, quieting our spirit, and making our plans.  God still has work for us to do, and He will equip us with the power we need.  Let's break out our brushes and shampoo and go, go, go. 

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-2-17

Grace for your spirit
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.  Proverbs 11:13

Who gets helped and who gets hurt by what I am about to tell you?  This is something important to remember before we tell all we know.  As Christians we should be involved in the mission of reconciliation.  Oftentimes, things don't need to be told.  If telling all we know is our talent, maybe we should bury it.  Let's make a commitment to be a trustworthy servant for all.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Grace for your spirit 11-1-17

Grace for your spirit
"Peace be with you".  John 20:19

The evening Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples were drowning in their circumstances.  They felt guilty, they were afraid, and they were confused.  Their peace was gone.  What words did Jesus have for them?  "Peace be with you."  Sometimes we will find ourselves confronted by such guilt, fear, and confusion.  People need a word of comfort and we're not sure what to say.  May the peace of Jesus be with you is pretty effective.  It will give us peace too.