Grace for your spirit 11-9-16

Grace for your spirit

Every  person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. Romans 13:1

God calls us to be submissive to everyone without drawing lines. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king     Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.   The election that has divided families and friends is now behind us.  It is time for God's children to line up and pray for those who will lead us.  Whether our candidate won or not, let's see our Christianity rising above our politics.

Grace for your spirit 11-8-16

Grace for your spirit

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.  II Thessalonians 3:5

When the word of God is planted into the hearts of people, it will spread rapidly, and will rescue all of us from the evil of one.  When we have doubts and fears that lead us away from His word, may we be led to ask God to turn us back to Him.  Let's pray that the Lord will direct our hearts into His love and the steadfastness of Christ.  As we walk in the steps of Christ,  our eternal outcome will be guaranteed.  We will be blessed.

Grace for your spirit 11-7-16

Grace for your spirit

Then they would say to him, "Say now, Shibboleth."  But he said "Sibboleth" for he could not pronounce it correctly.  Judges 12:6

The armies of Gilead were at war with the armies of Ephraim.  Ephraimites looked the same, but their speech would betray them,  They could not properly pronounce the word, "Shibboleth", and their false identity was revealed.   Paul proclaimed in Philippians 3:30 that our conversation would reveal our Christian citizenship.  Some translations use the word citizenship, others use conversation.  As it turns out they both come from the same word.  Our conversation should reflect our true citizenship in Christ.  Does it, or does it betray us?

Grace for your spirit 11-4-16

Grace for your spirit

Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;  Acts 11:23

Barnabas was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.  The Apostles gave him the name that means "Son of Encouragement. Throughout his life, he lived up to that name building up others.  He was just what the church in Antioch needed and he came at the right time. We can all use a "Barnabas."  Let's keep that chain of encouragement alive by finding a Barnabas, and being a Barnabas to someone else.

Grace for your spirit 11-3-16

Grace for your spirit

Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given to you besides.  Mark 4:24

As the kid's song goes, "Oh be careful little ears what you hear."  That's good advice no matter how big our ears get.  What gets in our ears, gets into our mind.  When we seek the righteousness of God and tune our ears to those things, God will bless us with more and more.  The devil will curse us the same  when we turn his way.  Which do we want more of in our minds?  Let's tune in to God and enjoy His bounty of blessings.

Grace for your spirit 11-2-16

Grace for your spirit

He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  Revelation 3:21

Jesus never asked us to do anything He didn't do first.  He emptied himself, overcame, died, buried, arose, ascended, and sat on His Father's throne.  He led the way for us.  Now He calls us to empty ourselves, overcome the world, die to sin, be buried in baptism, arise to new life, and meet Him at the throne in Heaven.The trip is not easy, but we have His example and GPS to guide us there.  Come on.  Let's go together.

Grace for your spirit 11-1-16

Grace for your spirit

In the Lord I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain; For, behold, the wicked bend the bow. They make ready their arrow upon the string to shoot in darkness at the upright of heart.  Psalm 11:1-2

There is no greater or better refuge than the Lord.  If we leave the Lord to find what we think is a better place, we are vulnerable.   The wicked are ready willing and able to take us down when we leave the Lord.  Let's remember where our real help is at all times.  Stay with the Lord.