Grace for your spirit December 31, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. II Timothy 4:2

God's recipe for a great relationship with others is encouragement with great patience and instruction. Many times it is necessary to reprove God's standard of behavior with the word. Often a light rebuke is necessary to help others see how they have missed the mark, but the most generous part of the recipe is encouragement. Preaching the word alone is not enough. Rebuking alone is brutal, but when it is mixed with a hearty exhortation, the results are usually much better. Of all the things we can say to build each other up in the faith, the word of encouragement is by far the greatest. May our words truly bless the hearts of those we come into contact with today. May it give us all a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December 30, 2009

Grace for your spirit
So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." All the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them. Nehemiah 8:11-12
Sometimes when people hear the word of the Lord, they mourn over the mistakes they have made. Here Nehemiah reminded the people that the joy of the Lord was their strength. He told them not to grieve, but celebrate a great festival, and help others enjoy the victory as well. In the Old Covenant, God gave the people many feasts and festivals to celebrate His presence among them. Festivals like Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, Purim, and others. These celebrations would be a continuing reminder of God's provisions for them, and their opportunity to enjoy them. Jesus has provided a place for all Christians to have community together in the church. When we have done the will of the Lord, and when we have met the needs of others around us, let's celebrate the joy of the Lord, and let Him be our strength in the coming days.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
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Grace for your spirit December 29, 2009

Grace for your spirit

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. John 15:12

We have all heard of the "golden rule" about doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. There is a higher and better rule than the golden rule, that I call the "platinum rule". Why is it higher and better? With the "platinum rule", we are called to do unto others as Jesus has done unto us already. This is an excellent way of living. Our behavior is not dependent on anyone but Jesus. Throughout the Bible, God calls us to excellent behavior toward others. To love, do right, do good, be kind, and help the downcast. Jesus made a giant impact on the world with His excellent behavior. Since we have His Divine Nature dwelling in us, we can have a giant impact on our world too. What would Jesus do? Love and be excellent to one another.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December 28, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth. Isaiah 12:5

If there is an overriding theme for our worship behavior in the Old and New Testament, this is surely it. Praise the Lord in song to let the world know the excellent things He has done in our lives. Repeated in the Psalms, God calls for a joyful noise, and coming before His presence with singing. He encourages us to Praise Him with a new song in the congregation and in life. In the New Testament, God calls us to speak to one another, and to encourage each other with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. It is discouraging to see a Christian who has lost their song. Loss of song is one of the first signs of spiritual loss. Loss of memory about what God has done, and loss of awareness of how we appear to others. Let's open our hearts, and open our mouths. Make a joyful noise, even if it is an awful noise. God loves it and so do I.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December 24,, 2009

Grace for your spirit

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

Remember Christmas time when we were kids? Most of us were totally focused on what we were going to get. The thought of putting out effort to buy a gift for someone else was the last thing on our mind. As we grew, matured, and learned to love others as we should, we became more interesting in giving than getting. They say some boys never grow up, they just want more expensive toys. That should never be true of the Christian.

As we grow in Christ, we should find our blessings in sharing with others. Watching others mature, and seeing souls develop into productive disciples for Christ. It is the joy of sharing His Son, that ultimately brings true joy to the world. When we enjoy giving more than getting and when we enjoy helping more than being helped, we are finally on the right track.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spiritr

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December 23, 2009

Grace for your spirit

So the ransomed of the LORD will return,and come with joyful shouting to Zion. And everlasting joy will be on their heads They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11

Joy to the World. The Lord has a place prepared for us all. In the Old Covenant there was always the hope of return to Mt Zion and experiencing that total joy. Jesus ultimately came to be our sin offering so we could all be the randomed of the Lord, and enjoy eternal salvation in our Zion. When we are born again, we have an eternal inheritance and can have a total joy beyond what we can express. No matter what ups and downs we have in this world, we can always rejoice that are names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. May we all let God restore the joy of His salvation, and sing Joy to the World.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December 21, 2009

Grace for your spirit
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Lk 2:10-11
Joy to the World, the Lord is come! We should always have joy in the world, and joy to the world because of the eternal presence of God. Joy to the world in His creation. Joy to the world in the Shekinah glory seen over the ark in the Old Testament. Joy to the world because the Word was made flesh and lived among us. Joy to the world because the glory of God's Spirit dwells in us all and can be seen and honored by our world today. How can we bring Joy into our world today? When we put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last, we will always experience and give Joy To The World


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 22, 2009

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. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. I Jn 1:3-4
My grandfather used to start the area wide New Year's Eve Song Rally with the song. "What a fellowship, what a joy divine. Leaning on the everlasting arms." In that throng of hundreds of people, I felt a warm feeling about my fellowship with God, and my fellowship with a caring church. We should feel that joy each day of our lives when we have the right fellowship with God and our brethren. The Apostle John felt such a joy because of that relationship, but his joy would only be complete if he could share that joy with us. We have a heavenly fellowship on earth. Let's resolve to make our joy complete by sharing that joy with the world.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 18, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. II Peter 1:3

The Apostle Peter is reaching out to those who are falling away from their commitment to Christ. His appeal is basic. We have the Divine Nature dwelling in us, and we have been participating with Him. That Divine Nature has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. If we turn away from His divine nature, we will sacrifice everything that guides us through life to godliness. Then what will be left to guide us but the things of this world. Don’t do it, and don’t give Him up. May we all recommit to walk with Him, make His qualities our qualities and grow, grow, grow. He promised, now we need to promise too.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December 17, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

Most people never look at the owner's manual for the car they purchased. They just leave in in the glove compartment. Then when we are in trouble, we search for that manual to find the solution to our problem. While looking for the solution, we often discover many features and benefits of which we were previously unaware. Not only are we not ready for trouble, but we have missed many benefits over the years. The same is true of the Bible. Someone has used the letters of the Bible to explain that His Word is BasicInstructions Before Leaving Earth. Let study it now before we are in trouble. You'd be surprised what can not only be avoided, but also enjoyed.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 16, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" Matthew 19:27

Peter walked with Jesus everyday and heard all His promises, but still he had trouble focusing. As he sacrificed to follow Jesus and saw others prosper, he began to doubt the path he was on. Jesus renewed His promises of eternal life and the promises that he would prosper many times over, no matter what he had left behind. Although he seemed to be last at the time, Jesus reminded him that he would be first at the end. If Peter needed reminded, I imagine we need it too. When we sacrifice to follow Jesus and watch the wicked prosper, it is easy to forget. God's promises for us are eternal and sure. Stay on the path with Jesus. He will be there for us in the end.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December 15, 2009

Grace for your spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galatians 5:16-17
All Christians have a dual nature of fleshly desires and Spiritual direction. The Spirit of God is greater than the flesh and when we commit ourselves to Him, it will keep us from carrying out the deeds of our fleshly desires. Our moral code of conduct is not a personal decision for the Christian when we are walking after the Spirit. When we make a decision to to put off the new man, then the old man of the flesh will thrive. Let's walk after the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, and enjoy the Christian walk.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 14, 2009

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 Jn 1:9

There is a financial services commercial right now featuring a green line on the ground. As soon as you sign up for this company's retirement plan, this green line appears directing your steps toward your financial success. If you stay on the line, you are promised to reach your goals. A promised they may or may not be willing to keep. Jesus has a better promise for us. When we commit to Him, He gives us His light to walk in. We follow His light, we are always in fellowship with Him, and we are always cleansed from all sin. That promise will take us to heaven, and it is a promise we know He can keep.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 11, 2009

Grace for your spirit

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,And its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, Psalm 103:15-17

Have you ever noticed that Springtime takes a long time coming, and Fall is over before you know it? We wait and wait for the grass and leaves to turn green, then in the fall everything is gone overnight. Life is something like that. It seems like we are never going to grow up and get all the things we want, and suddenly we are over the hill, and life is slipping away. Our physical life is like grass, and if that is all we have it will be gone before we know. Fortunately, as Christians we have the everlasting love of the Lord. When our grass fades, and our flowers are gone, we have an eternity to live with our Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December10, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Mark 2:27-28
Jesus spent three years in intensive ministry before He went to the cross. He challenged the keepers of the law every day. He wanted to open their eyes to see that there was a new covenant coming. Jesus did many miracles on the Sabbath Day. The Pharisees honored their special days ahead of their concern for others, and felt no work should be done on the Sabbath, and that Jesus was violating the Law of Moses. Jesus met these challenges with two bold statements here. The Sabbath was made to help man, not man to help the Sabbath. And most importantly the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. When we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Son of Man, and our Messiah King, whatever He approves is always right. Let's not challenge the message of Jesus with our old beliefs. It is time to convert to the Jesus style.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 9, 2009

Grace for your spirit
Woe to him who increases what is not his- For how long--And makes himself rich with loans?' "Will not your creditors rise up suddenly, and those who collect from you awaken? Indeed, you will become plunder for them. Habakkuk 2:6-7
Somebody said there are three kinds of people in our world today. Those that have. Those that have not. And those that have, and have not paid for it yet. Proverbs 22:7 reminds us that the rich do rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave. This was first written to people that were about to face a great calamity, that they might be ready. We live in a world where we all need to be ready for troublesome times. They are not only near, they are here. Proverbs 22:6 talks of training our children. We always apply that to spiritual training. How's our training when it comes to the credit card? Let's be good examples to our families and churches in stewardship of God's blessings.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 8, 2009

Grace for your spirit

This is the way of an adulterous woman:She eats and wipes her mouth,And says, "I have done no wrong." Proverbs 30:20

This is the way of the sinful world. As easily as we wipe the food from our lips, we wipe away the lusts of adultery. Very few people can go on with overwhelming guilt. We need to find some way to deal with it. God's way is true repentance, the new birth by water and spirit, and walking continually in the light of our Savior. The world's way is to just forget about it. To pretend sin is not really wrong. When we look to the worldly, they will help us believe that there is no true right and wrong anyway. The only true way that will work is God's way. The devil's way is just a wipe of our mouth with our napkin and then say we are good to go. May we surrender our lives to God, not to the lusts of the flesh. This is our way to happiness now and for eternity.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 7, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans) John 4:9

Jesus made a stop at a familiar watering hole in Samaria. The water of Jacob's well was good, but the Samaritans were avoided by those of Judea. Jesus took this opportunity to reach out to this woman at the well. Most people would have avoided her because she was a sinful Samaritan woman, but Jesus didn't. He skillfully used the drinking water to move her to the thoughts of eternal spiritual water. It changed her life and the lives of many in Samaria. Do we have a "watering hole?" A place where we hang out, to eat and drink coffee? Is there anyone there that we wish to avoid? Do people there know our beliefs and convictions? Are we willing to take a risk and reach out to those in need? Do we look for things in the conversation to be a steppingstone into Bible teaching? Are the people we are meeting at our "watering hole", just a chance meeting, or could it be part of God's plan? Let's make it part of God's plan.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

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Grace for your spirit December 4, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. II Corinthians 9:10-11
The secret to understanding God's economy is simple mathematics. You get more than you give. We are often encouraged to give as we have been prospered. We are reminded that we have an obligation to meet the needs of the church and those who are in need as well. Finally we are reminded that it is a command of God for us to follow. While all these are true, we should never forget that giving is God's way of enriching our lives. Not only can we see the good that is done by our contributions, but He supplies us with more than we give. Let's not just give because we have to, let's give because we get to. The Lord will repay, pressed down and running over. We will never out give God.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 3, 2009

Grace for your spirit

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38

This was "The Jesus Style" when He walked this earth. He met all the needs that came His way. He gave the glory and honor to His Father in heaven, and He proclaimed His name to the lost oppressed by the devil. When we make a commitment to be a follower of Jesus, we need to make a commitment to the Jesus style. Let's start our days with a prayer of commitment to walk with the Jesus Style. Ask God to gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to do good and help those we come in contact with today. May we always remember to give God the glory, and point the lost to Jesus our Savior. When we conduct ourselves like this, we will bring a blessing to all we meet. Do we have anything more important on our list today?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 2, 2009

Grace for your spirit
Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Philippians 3:17
I was following a car the other day with a bumper sticker that invited me to follow them to Sullivan Lake. The car had been hit and damaged in every way possible, and the driver was driving erratically through traffic. I thought that following them anywhere would be a mistake. Is anyone looking to you for an example, and would they feel comfortable following your pattern? I pulled into the church parking lot this week, and two little girls in the car next to me said, "Look grandma, Jesus is here." She told them I was not Jesus, just the preacher. I'm not sure whether they believed her or not. One thing for sure, I'm going to be careful how I walk in front of them. They are watching me. Is someone watching you? Somebody is always watching.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit December 1,, 2009

Grace for your spirit
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; Matthew 6:19-20
When we are trying to determine what we will do with the treasures we have on earth, the first thing to remember is that those treasures really belong to God. We are stewards of His treasures. It would be a shame to only let them be lost and destroyed in storage. When the stock market goes up or down, it is affecting God's treasures, not ours. We need to get His treasures into heaven where they belong. When we invest in the souls of mankind, that is our best resource. When we put our treasures into work that will leads souls to Christ, souls that will ultimately go to heaven, we are storing up treasures in heaven. They say you can't take it with you, but you can certainly send it on ahead. Let's make God's investments work for eternal purposes.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit November30, 2009

Grace for your spirit
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
How in the world is it possible to take troubles with joy? In the world it is not possible,but in the spiritual realm we can have the vision of God. With the vision of God we will be able to know that this testing will produce endurance. With that knowledge we will have faith to let endurance have its perfect result. The trials will perfect and complete us. So let's go ahead and be joyful now. When we know, and let trials work for for us, we will end up where God wants us to be. Consider it joy now, Why wait?


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit November 25, 2009

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

Some people have a difficult time with the holidays. During the year they spend most of their time apart at school and work and are not equipped to spend a whole day together in peace. Many family squabbles are reported during holidays. More suicides take place on holidays than at any other time. Wherever we are this thanksgiving season, let's make sure to take our Christianity with us. A peaceful and thankful heart will soon be evident in our words and deeds. 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. We will be going over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house, and will miss "grace for your spirit" on Thursday and Friday. We will try to remember to pack our peace and thankfulness as well. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit November 24, 2009

Grace for your spirit

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; Colossians 3:12

Have you ever been around a "one upper"? No matter what story anyone tells, they always have a story that is bigger and more important. It is particularly sad when someone is pouring out their heart about a trial and tribulation, looking for some sympathy and guidance. We listen, and then say, "That's nothing, wait until you hear what happened to me"! Let's listen closely to those who are hurting with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. For a little while, let's forget our troubles and show how we care about others. As we spread a little sunshine on others, we will be surprised how the sunshine falls on us as well.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Grace for your spirit November 23, 2009

Grace for your spirit

Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.' Zechariah 7:9-10
The exiles that had returned from Babylon had questions for the Lord. They wanted worship information. When should we fast and pray? God wanted their worship to motivate them to do right, practice kindness, and compassion to their brothers. Further, to take care of those they met in need, including widows, orphans, strangers and the poor. Flush the evil out of your hearts and do good. They got more of an answer that they wanted. They only wanted fasting and prayer information, and didn't want to hear God's instructions. We can fall into the same pattern when we are only interested in what we want. Our answer will not satisfy and we will not be blessed. Listen to the full answer from the Lord.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com