Friday, January 30, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 30, 2009

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. Galatians 3:13

The Law was given to man because he was a sinner. Through the Law came the knowledge of sin, but it supplied nothing to bring forgiveness or victory over the power of sin. In every part of life under the Law, man found himself falling short of God’s glory and condemned. Christ became sin for us, bore the curse for us, and redeemed us all from that curse. Because Jesus went to the cross, we can be free the penalty, power, and guilt of sin permanently. May none of us struggle under the curse of law and sin. The curse is taken away, so may we may live free in Christ.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 29, 2009

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

Timothy had been left with a mammoth task. He needed to unify the church at Ephesus after it had been torn apart by Judaizing teachers, Gentile pagans, idolatry, and riots in the streets. Young Timothy took this ministry to set things in order, establish leadership, restore worship, and discipline the flock. If you were a mechanic, imagine trying to rebuilt an engine, when people scattered the parts as you worked. Timothy’s work was just like that. God called him to be an example, pay attention to himself, persevere, and lead the church in the path of the Lord. Our task is not that different today. Let’s start following God’s advice, paying close attention to the way we live, and what we teach.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 28, 2009

"If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation with the sword, famine and plague, declares the LORD, until I destroy it by his hand. Jeremiah 27:8

God’s people had heard the news that Babylon was coming to conquer them. They were told not to fight, nor take flight. They were commanded to take their due punishment of captivity and eventually it would all be restored. They had lots of experience ignoring God’s direction, and they didn’t want to follow this plan either. Egypt and Assyria were two other nations after them and they thought they would be better. God said no, Jeremiah said no, but Judah said yes. This decisions caused them to be crushed, and went to captivity anyway. When the Word of God, and our teachers give us directions, don’t fight nor take flight. We must learn to trust in the Lord, and quit leaning on our own understanding.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 27, 2009

If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut 13:1-3

Once again we are being bombarded by fortune tellers who have predicted the end of the world in 2012. Also there is talk about sun calendars that support that date. The credibility for these predictions, is the record of their predictions in the past. These dreamers do not direct us toward the living God and His word. Our loyalty to God is our test. Do we love God, or love myths, and idols. If Jesus doesn’t know the time of the end, how can anyone else.? Choose this day whom you will serve.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, January 26, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 26, 2009

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18

Suppose you had the most powerful car in the world, and had access to the best fuel every invented. Then you put the wrong fuel in the car. The best car won’t run on the wrong fuel. The same is true with our lives. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ for life and godliness. He has His Holy Spirit available for us to perform at the highest level. When we resist and reject that Spirit and replace Him with the spirits of the world, we won’t run right either. The next time we find ourselves sitting silently on the side of the road, check the fuel.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Friday, January 23, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 23, 2009

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith add moral excellence, II Peter 1:5

When we are Christians, God makes us to be participants with His Divine Nature. He expects to to grow in His grace and be filled with the His qualities of grace. The list of those qualities include love, brotherly kindness, godliness, perseverance, self control, and knowledge. Our Christian growth begins with applying all deligence to our faith then adding virtue, goodness, and moral excellence to our faith. If we don’t start with a strong faith combined with a commitment to do what is right, it is doubtful we will ever add any of the other graces to be strengthened. When we make the commitment, it insures that we will not be blind, shortsighted, and won’t stumble in our walk.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 22, 2009

After many days the LORD said to me, "Arise, go to the Euphrates and take from there the waistband which I commanded you to hide there." Then I went to the Euphrates and dug, and I took the waistband from the place where I had hidden it; and lo, the waistband was ruined, it was totally worthless. Jer 13:6-7

God chose many colorful ways to communicate His truth through the prophets. God’s people were headed for captivity in Babylon. Babylon, located in the Euphrates valley, would be their prison for 70 years. That bondage would take them from their homeland and stain them. The linen wasteband was a sermon illustration for Jeremiah to help them avoid the bondage and the stain. It didn’t work. When we were buried in Babylon, they wished they had paid for attention to God’s warnings. Let’s follow the Lord’s direction to keep ourselves unstained by the world.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 21, 2009

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. I Cor 2:12-13

God gives us His spirit, so we may receive things, see things, and know things that the world cannot receive. His spirit gives us, wisdom, and spiritual thoughts, so we may have special insights into solutions. Like the hands of a skilled physician when they touch and probe a physical problem. Their touch along their training and experience, leads them to a successful diagnosis. The spirit of God living in us, can accomplish the same result spiritually. We develop that touch when we allow God’s spirit in us, and can find spiritual solutions for souls in need.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 20, 2009

I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Or his descendants begging bread. Psalm 37:25

One of the ways we praise and magnify the Lord is by walking securely without fear. God encourages us not to fret because of evildoers, and all the troubles that beset us in this life. The body of Christ has a faith system and an economy that is different from the rest of the world. Everywhere we go we see people wringing their hands, worrying about the economy, and the condition of our country. We need to walk in assurance that the righteous will not be forsaken nor begging for bread. God has promised us his provisions and left us a family to meet those needs. Spread that good news in a dark world. Walk with confidence.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, January 19, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 19, 2009

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. James 2:10

By what standard do we choose to live? Do we choose to live by the Ten Commandments? O.K. then, can we list all ten of them? Oh, we want to live by them, but can’t quite remember all of them? Then can we declare that we never break any of them in any way? If we stumble on one point, we are guilty of breaking them all. Wouldn’t we rather live by the law of liberty in Christ. Jesus nailed those laws to the cross and forgives us when we stumble. Hallelujah. Still want to live by the Old Law? O.K. make plans for your three annual trips to Jerusalem, and don’t forget to bring a sacrificial lamb with you. You’re gonna need it.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Friday, January 16, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 16, 2008

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Matthew 19:6

The Biblical marriage relationship is not a contract between a man and a woman that can be altered or broken at will. The Biblical marriage is a covenant promise that we make with God and one another when we take the vows of marriage. Many call on God to join them and then call on a lawyer to separate them. That is exactly what Jesus said not to do. Lots of couples want to invite God to the wedding ceremony, but don’t wish to have Him in the marriage. When we wish to make a worldly marriage contract with the intention of altering or breaking it at will, leave God out of it. He wants no part of that kind of deal. Covenants are lived, not broken.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 15, 2009

While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad." Acts 26:24

While Paul was a prisoner on his way to Rome, he had the opportunity to preach the truth to three Roman officials. Felix, Festus, and Agrippa sat and listen to God’s Word of Righteousness and Judgment. The message of the gospel, fueled by the Holy Spirit was so powerful that it could not be denied. So when they couldn’t deny the message, they attacked the messenger. Paul didn’t mind. He called himself a "fool for Christ". When we have the opportunity to preach the truth of Christ, many may think we’re crazy too. We may not fit into the social mold of this world. This is great. Better for them to think we are crazy than to be dead on the vine.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 14, 2009

Like a city that is broken into and without walls, Is a man who has no control over his spirit. Proverbs 25:28

In Bible days, the best defense for cities against enemies were strong walls. When an enemy would break down the doors, they would tear down the walls, and all hope for the inhabitants would be gone. God makes this comparison to a life that is out of control. When we have no control over our spirit, the enemy has overran us. When the devil is controlling our thoughts, our actions, we have lost all of our resistance and protection, and we will be lost. God provides protection for our spirit with His Holy Spirit. When we push the His Spirit out of our lives, the devil will move right in, and take control of our spirit. Let’s be a watchman on the wall of our spirit.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 13, 2009

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

Many famour entertainers live the glamorous lives as celebrities. Lives that many people wanted to imitate. Songs like, Frank Sinatra's "I did it my way" is almost their biography. Unfortunately, most people prefer "My Way, to His Way. In our effort to live as God wishes, we are unable to do it our way. We must do it His way. That life will not always be glamorous,, but when we get to heaven it will certainly vindicate our selection. The anthem of heaven will be "I did it His Way". What about the song "I did it my way"? That will be the national anthem in hell.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, January 12, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 9, 2009

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Mt 7:13-14

When I was a kid playing in the country, the roads most traveled were also the roads most graveled. The unraveled roads, the seldom used roads were full of mud holes where people got stuck. In the way to salvation, the opposite it true. The big road, where most people are traveling is the bad road. It leads to trouble and destruction. Contrary to that, the least traveled road is the good road. This road is maintained by God for our trip to heaven. With God, the road less traveled in the road most graveled.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Grace for your spirit January 12, 2009

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Solomon spent the entire book of Ecclesiastes highlighting the vanity of life. Looking at everything we think is important and always with us, and then showing us that all that lust is in vain. Everything we have in life will soon fade away and the only thing left will be the spirit that came from God. Since that spirit belongs to God it will return to Him who gave it to us. After picturing it all leaving, including our lives, he comes to the one and only conclusion. The only thing that lasts is fearing God and keeping His commandments. Solomon had 700 wives, 300 concubines, and more riches than he could count. At the end of life, I think He was wishing he would have reached that conclusion much earlier. Do we need to starting thinking differently too?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 8, 2008

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. III John 2-3

When we come to pray for others, do we have any idea what we can pray for today? There are five things that John mentions in these two short verses. 1) That they may prosper. 2)That they may be in good health. 3) For a soul that is faithful and prospering. 4) That brethren testify about their faithfulness. 5) That they continue to walk in truth, serving the Lord and His children. That is a powerful five point prayer that anyone and everyone could use daily. If you can’t think of anyone else to pray for today, put me on your prayer list. I would love all five of those things. How about you?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 7, 2008

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, I Cor 2:1-3

If we were called for an extended journey into the mission field, what would we take with us? Would we take all our personal speaking skills, our wisdom, our knowledge and our confidence? The apostle Paul had all those things, but he left them behind. He packed his weakness, his fear, his trembling, and the knowledge of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. As it turned out, that’s all he needed to turn the world upside down. They didn’t care much for him, but they loved Jesus. What have we packed for our mission?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 6, 2008

And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND Mt 22:37

The first command given to Moses in the Ten Commandments was "You shall have no other gods before Me". While Moses was receiving the commands, His people were building a gold calf god at the base of Mt. Sinai. Their hearts, their souls, their minds, their energy, and their devotion had already gone in another direction. With that energy spent, they would not be able to keep any command of God. A Christian asked me one day if it would be all right to have other gods beside Him or behind Him? God’s children have used that logic for centuries. It led them into bondage every time. Where is it leading us? The answer to that question is ALL. ALL leaves no room for anything else. ALL

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, January 5, 2009

Grace for your spirit January 5, 2008

Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested. II Chron 4:10

This verse has become part of my morning devotional everyday. I can really identify with Jabez. All I really know about him is that he was a "shirttail relative" in the family of Judah. He was too insignificant to detail, but not too little for God to notice. All we know is that he was a pain, and God answered his prayers. Most of the time I feel rather insignificant and more often I am a pain. It comforts me to know that God is listening to me. Let it comfort all of us too.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23