Grace for your spirit December 31, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.  Joshua 3:5

These were the words of Joshua to God's people preparing them to enter the promised land.  They were meant to inspire God's children to shake off the years of struggles and take a new positive focus for their future.  They would walk a new way, and experience many new wonders.  How they received those wonders and blessings would depend on their attitudes and faithfulness.  May we all dedicate ourselves to shake off the old and take a new walk.  A walk with Jesus first, Others second, and Yourselves last.  That will insure the J-O-Y we desire.

Grace for your spirit December 30, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which you have done,  and Your thought toward us;  There is none to compare with You.  If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.  Psalm 40:5

Browning wrote, "How I love thee, let me count the ways."  The poem goes on to talk about the her unlimited love.  God wants us to love Him like that much and more.  When our love is made complete, we will make His love and wonders known to those around us.  We can't count and comprehend them all, but let's keep searching.

Grace for your spirit December 29, 2015

Grace for your spirit

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him  Romans 8:16-17

When "Little Orphan Annie" was adopted by "Daddy Warbucks", her life was changed completely.  It was hard for her to believe the miraculous transition from orphan to heir.  That miracle is available for us spiritually. When we accept His adoption and become part of His family, we are blessed.  However,  when He suffers we suffer too.  If we accept it, and endure it, He has glory for us beyond anything we can imagine

Grace for your spirit December 24, 2015

Grace for your spirit

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!  Matthew 7:11

The final rush is on to find that perfect gift for Christmas.  As hard as we try, we can never out give our Father in Heaven.  Every good and perfect gift is from above.  Our Heavenly Father generously pours out His blessings on us when we connect with Him.  As we thank everyone for their thoughtfulness this year, don't forget to thank God for His perfect and enduring gifts.  Have a Merry Christmas

Grace for your spirit December 23, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus the Nazarene--walk!"  Acts 3:6

The crippled man begging at the temple was hoping for a gift to help him for another day.  The gift he would receive would be much greater. The apostles didn't have want he wanted but they did have what he really needed.  God has given us all many special gifts.  We have gifts that can really make people's lives better.  We may not have silver and gold, but what God has given us, let's share it with others.  Not just for a day, but for ever. 

Grace for your spirit December 22, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew that gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give a Me a drink,'you would have asked Him, and He would  have given you living water."  John 4:10

Jesus met a woman at the well, and she thought she could get drink from this stranger.  What she didn't realize is that Jesus had a gift for her far greater than a drink.  He had the gift of eternal refreshment.  A drink would only last for a moment, but His gift would never fade. Sometimes our greatest gifts are not the ones we really want, but the ones we really need. Let's look beyond today's needs and greeds for a truly happy life.

Grace for your spirit December 21, 2015

Grace for your spirit

You prepare a table before me in the presense of my enemies.  Psalm 23:5

A little girl banished to a small side dinner table for punishment. She  was overheard in her prayer, "Thank you for preparing a table for me in the presence of my enemies."  We all live in a world where we can feel banished because of our faith.  Let's be thankful the God has prepared a greater feast and a greater victory for us in our Christian walk.  Let's be thankful even the presence of our enemies.

Grace for your spirit December 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit

These who are clothed in white robes, who are they, and where have them come from?......My Lord, you know. these are the ones who come our of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made white in the blood of the Lamb.  Revelation 7:13-14

God gives us some pictures of heaven in His Revelation.  The symbolism is those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb.  Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of His believers, and presents them to His Father.  When we come to Jesus for His cleansing power, we can be washed in the blood of the Lamb too.  Come on in.  The water is fine.

Grace for your spirit December 17, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Blessed be the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourelves are comforted by God.  II Corinthians 1:3-4

God certainly wants us to use our blessings to help others.  We may call it, "saved to serve", or "blessed to bless".  One of the measures of our thanksfulness is using our benefits to benefit others.  First, may we acknowledge our comforts from God, give Him the glory, and thank Him by "paying it forward"

Grace for your spirit December 16, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister, and mother.    Mark 3:34-35

Jesus had an earthly family, but sometimes they did not support nor believe in Him.  Jesus enjoyed His spiritual family.  He considered those who did the will of His Father to be His family. In fact, in Christ Jesus, we are the adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus and heirs according to the promise.  Let's enjoy our family reunion each day, and especially on the Lord's Day.

Grace for your spirit December 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales  when we made know to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  II Pet 1:16

When we commit to the Word of God, confessing that all Scripture is inspired by God, we can be eyewitnesses of His majesty by faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, so we need to make that commitment.  We could not be on the Mount of Transfiguration, but by faith we can experience that majesty.  We walk by faith when we thank God for His Word to show us the way.  We don't need to tell clever stories.  Let's share the power He has instilled in our lives.

Grace for your spirit December 14, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a  house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  II Corinthians 5:1

It is always a nice feeling to have someplace to go.  A  home that welcomes us where we belong.  God provides us an eternal home that welcomes us at the end of our days on earth.  Our Spirit lives in our earthly dwelling, but when that building is torn down, an even better home awaits us in glory.  It give us confidence for our future, and that is a great way to live

Grace for your spirit December 10, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master,prepared for every good work.  II Timothy 2:21

There are so many things in the world that can defile us and make us useless in the service of the Lord.  Part of our work and the work of the Spirit is to be a vessel of honor, holy, useful and prepared.  When God calls for our service, will we be ready?  Let's start preparing ourselves now.

Grace for your spirit December 9, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  I Timothy 6:9

Life can often be a trade off.  When we make a decision to go in a new direction, we must sacrifice the way we were going.  Many people have set their goals in riches, only to find out they gave up everything else along the way.  Their lives were plunged into troubles, and when  they arrive at their money goals, they aren't worth it.  Can the desire for riches tempt, snare, ruin and destroy us.  Yes. Let's count the costs before we have to pay the price.

Grace for your spirit December 8, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  John 15:2

In this picture, Jesus is pictured at the vine, we are the branches, and God is the gardener.  When we are securely connected to Jesus, we will bear much fruit.  When we yield ourselves to God allowing Him to prune our branch, we will bear even more fruit.  The production of our branch declares to all that we are firmly connected to Jesus and yielding to God. If we do not bear fruit, we are unnecessary and will be removed. Let's yield our branch to God's way and enjoy the fruit of our labors.

Grace for your spirit December 7, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  Romans 12:17

Try to be at peace with all men. Don't take revenge, let God take the revenge. A little boy had built a snow fort and fortified it with hundreds of snowballs to defeat all attackers.  Unfortunately, no enemies were attacking.  He told his mother that he wished he had more enemies. She told him not to worry.  The way he was going he would have lots of enemies some day.  How about us.  Are our lives fostering good relationships and making enemies?  May Jesus be seen in us.

Grace for your spirit December 4, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him,   Isaiah  55:6

Let us seek the Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near.  All of us need to make a commitment at some point to change our lives and thoughts, turning to the Lord.  Whenever we decide to make that change, the Lord will have compassion.  The farther we go in the wrong direction, the harder it is to return.  Let's turn now.

Grace for your spirit December 3, 2015

Grace for your spirit

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.  Jn 14:21

There are several important elements in arriving at a close and personal relationship with Jesus. We show our love for God by learning His commands and committing to keep them.  That commitment to obedience will bring us love from God and a closer walk with Jesus.  Our love for God and commitment to obedience is the door that leads us to that intimate spiritual relationship.

Grace for your spirit December 2, 2015

Grace for your spirit

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.               I Thessalonians 5:15

God always wants us to return a blessing when we are mistreated.  He wishes for us to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and change our enemies for the good. He wants us to be peacemakers and mediators for others to help them as well. Much like a referee in a boxing match steps in to keep the peace and the rules, God calls us to seek after the good for others in conflict.  Let's get in there and not be timid. See to it

Grace for your spirit December 1, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Do not quench the spirit  I Thessalonians 5:19

We can quench our thirst, quench a fire, temper steel by quenching the heat, or quench an uprising,  All of those are beneficial and will make us feel better, but quenching the Spirit is never good for us.  Many things are better when they are dampened, doused, moistened, or stuffed out, but we should never do any of those to the Spirit of God living in us. God knows that when we fan the flame He has given us, His guidance will always help us.  Let's keep it burning.

Grace for your spirit November 30, 2015

Grace for your Spirit

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good;  His lovingkindness is everlasting.  And His faithfulness to all generations.  Psalm 100:4-5

Thomas Ken's words of the Doxology. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

May we be able to sing these familiar words with great enthusiasm, as we enter His gates with thanksgiving.  May our overflow of thankfulness fill our lives with joyful praise, and flow into the lives of others.

Grace for your spirit November 24, 2015

Grace for your spirit

In everything give thanks; For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.    I Thessalonians 5:18

We need to learn to give thanks in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.  This is God's will for us and we need to do it.  We may not be thankful for everything, but even in negative times, if we seek God will, we will find a way to give thanks in everything.  Ask God for help and Christ will meet us there.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving

Grace for your spirit November 23, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.  Psalm 107:1-2

For all You have done I will thank You.  For all that you are going to do. For all that you've promised and all that You are, is all that has carried me through.  Jesus I thank you.  Thank you for loving and setting me free, and giving your life for me.  Song by Dennis Jernigan.  

Redeemed? So say and have a very Happy Thanksgiving

Grace for your spirit November 20, 2015

Grace for your spirit

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 5:17

The best antidote against the deeds of our sinful nature is to walk after the Spirit.  The best defense really is a good offense.  When we make a commitment to walk worthy of our calling, our focus will help us avoid much of the pitfalls of the flesh.  Our focus will determine our walk and our walk will determine our destination.  The walk after the Spirit will lead us to Jesus.

Grace for your spirit November 19, 2015

Grace for your spirit

So now let Me tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard;  I will remove its hedge and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall and it will become trampled ground.  Isaiah 5:5

God gives us two parables about His vineyard.  The other is in Matthew 21.  It both cases the Lord provides the very best, and is returned worthless produce.  His appeals and help is ignored and finally He has enough.  The vineyard is taken away and destroyed.  We are supposed to serving in the vineyard of the Lord.  How are we doing? When the day of reckoning comes, will we be rewarded or embarrassed? Let's get to work. 

Grace for your spirit November 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For My people have committed two evils;  They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns,  that can hold no water.  Jeremiah 2:13

Living in a dry land with no water supply and no reserve can be a disaster.    If we reject the living water of God, and have no backup, we can die spiritually too. Judea had rejected God and was spiritually dying of thirst without realizing it.   Living in the desert of sorrow and sin takes careful discernment to survive.  Let's open our lives to the living water of God, save it up, and enjoy the benefits.

Grace for your spirit November 17, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.  Psalm 139:23-24

Marvin Gaye had a song called "I ain't got time."  He sang that when he was thinking about "his baby", he didn't have time for nothin' else.  Not money, why flowers grow, where rivers flow, weather or nothin' else. Do we ever that kind of focus on God?  Do our thoughts about the urgent things in our lives crowd out the important ones?  God already knows what we are thinking about and why.  Let's be bold enough to ask Him to get any thoughts out of our lives that could hurt us.  May we ask Him to help us focus only on Him, and the eternal things of life. May we have time for nothing else.

Grace for your spirit November 16, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.  I Peter 4:8

The love of God can change us and control us.  His love can move us away from potential sins and lead us in the right way.  When we channel God's love towards one another through ourselves, we can help accomplish the same things.  Fervent love helps us and those we meet walk after the Spirit.  With God, we can avoid and cover a multitude of sins.

Grace for your spirit November 13, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel.  Revelation 2:14

Balaam was the prophet with the talking donkey.  With his interactions with Balak, he put a stumbling block before the children of Israel.  He caused them to compromise their views about idols and immorality and ultimately brought destruction to them.  We should make a commitment to be steppingstones, not stumblingblocks.  May we never stop people from following the Lord's will. Let's help people take their walk to faithfulness.

Grace for your spirit November 12, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:12-13

Our salvation is a gift from God through Jesus Christ.  We can never earn our salvation by working for it.  The work is what we do after we have received it.  We are created in Christ for good works to work out, pour out and shine out what has been worked in us.  As the Lord sees our salvation everyone else will see it too.

Grace for your spirit November 11, 2015

Grace for your spirit

So that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15:6

All of Scripture directs us to be of the same mind, love, spirit, and purpose centered in Christ Jesus.  How can we know when we have achieved it?  We will glorify our God and Savior with one voice.  Let's pray that we can get on tract toward those goals.

Grace for your spirit November 10, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.              I Peter 5:7

Do we have enough faith, hope, and love for God to keep fear worry and anger our of our lives?  When we cast our cares far away, God can always give us relief.  If you feed chickens, don't drop the feed around your feet, they will pick you to death.  Throw the feed far away. The same is true with our troubles.  Keep them close and they will pick us to death.  Let's throw them to Jesus.

Grace for your spirit November 9, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.  Colossians 3:2

When we have been raised with Christ, let's not lose focus.  Let's keep looking up.  Don't compare yourself with others, or your blessings by the things around you.  Jesus in the only comparison we need.  Noah had one window in the ark.  He could only look up.  Jesus told us to look up and live.  What's the best advice you can get and give?  Look up and live.

Grace for your spirit November 6, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Blessed is that slave whom his master find so doing when he comes.  Luke 12:43

Jesus has promised that He will return to reward us for our faithfulness and labors. No one knows when that day will come, so our best efforts must be continual without interruption.  Many try to predict His return, so they know when to get busy.  This is damaging and ultimately fatal.  We give glory to God when we are always busy in the work of the Lord, so He is guaranteed to catch us on the job anytime

Grace for your spirit November 5, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And this,  not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.  II Corinthians 8:5

The Christians  in Macedonia were poor. When Paul was collecting to help the needy in Judea, he didn't expect much from them.  How did they become such good stewards of what they had?  They first became stewards of God's grace and faith, and the rest was easy.  Having trouble giving to the Lord's work?  When we first commit our lives to Him, committing what we have gets easier.

Grace for your spirit November 4, 2015

Grace for your spirit

The manager said to himself, "What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me?  I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg.   Luke 16:3

This parable is about a steward who has been cheating in dealing with his master's goods.  He is about to lose his good living.  His warning causes him to make changes.  We are stewards and managers of God's provisions.  Are we honest with God about how we use His blessings?  Will we need the warnings to be good stewards, or will we wait until we lose everything God has blessed us with to use?  Today is the day to make the changes before it is too late for us.

Grace for your spirit November 3, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Did you know the word "willy-nilly" is really in the dictionary?  It means disorganized, unplanned, sloppy, and shilly-shally.  As we serve the Lord in worship, serving, and giving, there is little room for the "willy-nilly" disciple. Properly serving the Lord in word and deed must be by the authority of Jesus Christ, and God the Father, being thankfulness to Him for the directions.  May our Christian walk have passion and direction.

Grace for your spirit November 2, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. 

 Psalm 103:2

Some people see God as a distant and uninvolved creator who spun the world into motion and then leaves us alone.

Many people see God as a critical judge who waits for us to make mistakes and then sends the punishment. 

The Bible pictures God as a benevolent provider hoping we will respond to His love. His benefits are many: He pardons, heals, redeems, loves, has compassion, and satisfies us with many things.  Which would we enjoy serving?  Obviously, the God who loves us.  The God of the Bible. Enjoy His many benefits for us all.

Grace for your spirit October 30, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.  I Peter 2:9

Robin Hood and his merry men are primarily remembered as those who would "rob from the rich and give to the poor."  In fact, this group of people were loyal to King Richard who was away on the Crusades.  His evil brother Prince John usurped the throne and afflicted the poor. Robin was loyal to his absent King until he returned, helping the poor, and then he bowed before him.  In the Kingdom of God, our King Jesus has went away.  While He is in heaven, Satan has tried to usurp His kingdom.  As God's royal priesthood, we are commissioned to resist the devil and help the poor until He returns.  May we defend the kingdom until He returns when we will bow before Him.  Be merry men

Grace for your spirit October 29, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race this is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus  Hebrews 12:1

It takes a certain single minded devotion to run the race to the finish line. There is always sin and obstacles along the way to trip us up, so we need to be careful.  We need to listen to the right voices and reject the wrong.  In the Land of Oz, Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion, and the Scarecrow found that by following "the yellow brick road",  they would find what they needed.  We need a commitment to stay on the blood sprinkled path of Jesus, keeping our eyes on the prize at all times.

Grace for your spirit October 28, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Your iniquities have made a separation between you and  your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that he does not hear.  Isaiah 59:2

God can reach us and God can hear us, until we build a wall of sin between Him and ourselves.  Christ went to the cross to build a bridge between us and God.  When we meet Him on the bridge, He has a healing for us all, and a great fellowship with all His children.  As the kid's song goes, "You can build a wall, or you can build a bridge.  It all depends on the life you live.  If you build a wall, your world is small, but a bridge of love will conquer all. 

Grace for your spirit October 27, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?  John 14:5

In Alice in Wonderland, Alice asked the Cheshire cat, "Which way should I go from here?"  The cat asked, "Where do you want to get to?" Alice answered, "I don't much care"  The cat said, "Then is doesn't much matter which way."  If we want to spend eternity with Satan, then it doesn't much matter what we do or where we go.  Jesus answered Thomas' question and ours with a simple direction.  "I am the way, truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me"  None of us will wander into heaven without purpose.  Jesus is the way.  And that matters much.

Grace for your spirit October 26, 2015

Grace for your spirit

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on  you, and give you peace.  Numbers 6:24-26

Do we want the Lord's face to shine on us?  Do we want His blessings, protection, grace and peace?  We need to stay in the place where we can see His face and He can see ours.  In unity with His Son Jesus is the place to be, because God's face always shines on Him. In Christ and walking after His Spirit, we will always feel the warmth and glow of God's face.

Grace for your spirit October 23, 2015

Grace for your spirit

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.           I John 5:13

I'm not sure where we went wrong.  It seems most people have been taught they we earn our salvation and favor with God by the good things that we do. Therefore we can only hope we have eternal life because most of the time we just aren't doing that well. God doesn't want us to just HOPE. He wants us to KNOW we have eternal life.  The real plan from heaven is for us to be made righteous by Jesus.  Our salvation is based on His life.  That gives us the confidence of knowing we have eternal life all the time.  It is time to act like it.

Grace for your spirit October 22, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.  I John 5:3'

God has never intended His commands to be a burden to us.  He wants to make it easy for us to follow them and be benefited by them.  This is because God loves us so much.  When we love Him as He loves us, it makes it easy.  When we feel burdened or grieved by His direction, it is time to go back to the basics.  The love of God controlling us.

Grace for your spirit Octoer 21, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.     II Corinthians 9:7

Purposing in our heart is not a matter of arithmetic, penny pinching, and budgeting.  There is no joy and cheerfulness in squeezing the nickel until the buffalo roars.  Purposing in our heart  is the commitment related to being a good steward.  It is coming to the conclusion that what we have already belongs to God, and we are cheerfully committed to using it as He sees fit.  It is always a joy using someone else's resources.  It can easily be done hilariously.  Let's have another great day.

Grace for your spirit October 20, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.  I Thessalonians  4:11-12

There are many ways to spread the good news about the things God has done for us.  One way is our behavior before others. When we display a lifestyle that honors God, such as a  quiet life, an ambitious busy life, our behavior will honor Him. Let's resolve not to be a burden on anyone. When people notice our godly lifestyle, may we never take credit for it ourselves. Let's make sure God gets the glory. 

Grace for your spirit October 19, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:4

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus called for us to be perfect, as our Father is perfect.  Here James called us to let endurance have its perfect result that we might be perfect and complete.  Can we be perfect?  Of course we can. The question is, how.  We can never be perfect by our own efforts, but the righteousness that comes from God in Christ, can make us perfect, complete, and mature.  Have a little fun this week.  Tell people you are perfect.  After they quit laughing, tell them about Jesus and how He can make us all perfect.

Grace for your spirit October 16, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and sign which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know.  Acts 2:22

Peter preached on Pentecost to people who knew some things about Jesus.  They knew He had been there with miracles, and that He had been nailed to the cross.  So what?  They would soon be convicted by the things they did not know.  Peter revealed that this was a predetermined plan of God, that they were involved in His death, and that God raised Him from the dead.  This message touched their hearts and brought them to God.  If what we know now isn't moving us toward God, let's find out what we don't know.  It may make all the difference.

Grace for your spirit October 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit

When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.  Psalm 32:4

What happened to the mighty King David?  This one who beat Goliath and ruled with a powerful hand over Israel.  His secret sins and guilt wore him down, and the heavy hand of God drained away his vitality. His secret cover up of his sins ruined his life.  His choices are the same as our choices.  We can be ruined with guilt, or we can confess, and let God take our sins away.  Good days are ahead when we turn to God.

Grace for your spirit October 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son,, and the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19

If a plane flies, it might crash.  If a ship goes to sea, it might sink.  If a car is on the highway, it might wreck.  Experience has proved that planes, ships, and cars actually last longer when they are in service. Besides, they weren't built to sit and rust out.  Christians have been given directions to Go, disciple, and baptize.  Do we resist because we are afraid we might fail?  God tells us we will do better for ourselves when we are active in His service.  Plus, we weren't saved to sit, but rather be are equipped to go.  Let's not meet the Lord rusted out.

Grace for your spirit October 13, 2015

Grace for your spirit

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 times, a city without walls was vulnerable to every enemy that passed by.  A person that does not have control of their spirit is vulnerable to every emotion, and every challenge that passes by too. The morning news is full of names with those who have no control over their spirit, and the "church obituary list" grows with souls who have no control over their spirits and fall away.  God offers us the gift of His Spirit to strengthen ours.  When we join with His Spirit, He will help our spirit to overcome and have victory.

Grace for your spirit October 12, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Woe to those  who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria  Amos 6:1

Prosperity is often not our spiritual friend.  Persecution and loss will draw us closer to God than prosperity.  The prosperous ones of Samaria ignored the warning from God because times were so good. They refused to be convicted of their sinful ways because they believed their prosperity proved they were blessed.  Let's not be deceived.  May we never be at ease and feel secure when we are not following God, or it will be Woe for us too.

Grace for your spirit October 9, 2015

Grace for your spirit

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

How often have you been in a complicated discussion with someone, and they asked, "What is the bottom line?"  There are many complicated issues in the Bible that are hard to understand.  As we learn what God wants, what will we do?  Honor God, respect God, and do what He says.  That is the bottom line, and it applies to all of us.  Let's press on toward the mark.

Grace for your spirit October 8, 2015

Grace for your spirit

It is I who says of Cyrus, He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.  And he declares of Jerusalem, She will be built. And of the temple, Your foundation will be laid.  Isaiah 44:28

Two hundred years before the fact, God revealed His plan to restore Jerusalem.  Before their captivity, before the temple was destroyed. before the Persian Empire was thought of, God had the plan already laid out.  Hard to understand?  Of course.  When we walk by sight, it makes everything hard.  Things are going to happen to us that we cannot yet see or understand.  It is comforting to know, that God already has a plan for our victory.  Let's walk by faith and trust in Him.

Grace for your spirit October 7, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Romans 13:1

Rome was the fourth kingdom spoken of in the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel prophecied that the kingdom of God would crush that kingdom.  What was God thinking?  Rome rose up to crucify Jesus, and persecute the church beyond measure, but the power of God overcame it.  We are the benefactors of those terrible days, and that's what God was thinking. We should think before we criticize God's selections. God knows what He is doing, and most of the time we don't.

Grace for your spirit October 6, 2015

Grace for your spirit

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

Wisdom is a gift from God to judge right from wrong, and implement the right.  James 3:17 gives us eight qualities of wisdom in our lives. Wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy.  When we fear and respect the Lord, we have taken our first step towards wisdom.  We could use a lot of those qualities in our world today.  Let's ask God for them.

Grace for your spirit October 5, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  Mark 16:15

The world gospel is used many times in the New Testament.  It literally means "good news", and that is what the New Testament brings us. We have explained the gospel as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, but it is really much more than that.  The good news includes, Christ's miraculous birth, His sinless life, His crucifixion for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection for our justification.  Then He ascended to the right hand of God to intercede for us, with a promise that He would return to reward our faithfulness with eternal life.  Those eight things bring about our opportunity to return to Heaven with Jesus for eternal life.  That is really good news.  Let's celebrate.

Grace for your spirit October 2, 2015

Grace for your spirit

You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  John 8:44

When we read in Revelation that there will smoke, torment and no rest for those who worship the devil, we don't usually think any of us would fall into that category.  The Pharisees before Jesus felt the same way. They claimed Abraham, Moses, and God were their fathers, but Jesus disagreed.  When we live a lie and do the works of the devil, we become his followers.  Let's not stomp our foot and claim God is our Father, let's prove it by the life we live.

Grace for your spirit October 1, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."  Genesis 4:6-7

Since the beginning, the devil has been waiting just outside the door, waiting for people to slip.  If we turn against God, let our emotions get the best of us, and leave room for the devil, he is ready to pounce. Cain did all those things, and his emotions led him away from God and it ruined his life.  Let's not let the devil hang around outside our door with an open sign for him.  Let's overcome and find victory in Jesus.

Grace for your spirit September 30, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this.  Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.  II Chronicles 16:9

The King of Judah seemingly forgot that the Lord was his best source for help in times of strife.  When war threatened, he begin to make alliances to build his strength.  God's prophet reminded the king that he had made a foolish mistake and his wars would continue.  Have we made that foolish mistake?  When we ask God for help last after all our other resources, we have it backwards.  With it, our strife will also continue. God is looking and waiting the our call.

Grace for your spirit September 29, 2015

Grace for your spirit

God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him, and  yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  I John 1:5-6

Did you see the eclipse of the super moon Sunday night?  The super moon is very close to the earth, and when the earth passed directly between the sun and the moon, the moon was darkened.  There is a great spiritual lesson there as well.  People are like the moon.  We have no natural light of our own.  We only reflect the light of the SON.   If we get too close to the world as we orbit, when the world gets between us and the SON, our light will appear to go out as well.  Let's not let the world get between us and the light of God's Son.

Grace for your spirit September 28, 2015

Grace for your spirit

The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened.  Matthew 13:33

The power of God is like yeast in a loaf of dough.  Once yeast is mixed into the dough, it continues to multiply until it has completely changed the composition of lump of dough.  The kingdom of God is good leaven that will transform us completely for His good.  There is also bad leaven, the leaven of the world that can change us for bad.  Let's select our ingredients carefully, so the leaven of God will give us victory.

Grace for your spirit September 25, 2015

Grace for your spirit

This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from by the world.   James 1:27

How many rules do we need to keep to please God?  Many so called religious people stack their laws to the ceiling and are never satisfied, and neither is God.  Isaiah reached out to such a people in Isaiah 1:16-17.  He said, "Remove evil, learn to do good, seek justice, reprove the ruthless, help the widows and the orphans.  What was good in the time of Isaiah, and the time of James, is still good for us today too.

Grace for your spirit September 23, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And He said to them, "Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find a catch." They cast therefore and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.  John21:6

After the resurrection of Jesus, the apostle went fishing.  They were reverting back to their lives as fishermen before Jesus called them to be fishers of men. They fished all night, but caught nothing.  This is a strong message for them if they would just get it.  When Jesus got back into their fishing trip, they were once again blessed.  Get it?  You need to be fishing for men with Jesus.  If you go back into the fishing business without Jesus, that won't work either.  Stay with Jesus. Good direction for us too.

Grace for your spirit September 22, 2015

Grace for your spirit

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.   James 5:19-20

It is evident that people do stray from the truth, and often need help to turn to the right way.  God has gifted us with the knowledge and wisdom to rescue the perishing and change their lives.  As we sharpen our gifts with study and prayer, we help our lives as well.  When we rescue others, we rescue ourselves too.   When we walk in the path of God with others, we truly do cover a multitudes of sins.  Theirs and ours.

Grace for your spirit September 21, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were, with salt, so that you may know how to should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6

Effective speech is not only what you say, but how you say it.  We may know the truth from start to finish and be able to tell anyone.  Will our words hit like a hammer, or sooth like a feather?  Shooting Bible bullets are seldom effective.  When our door of opportunity opens, let's think before we speak next time

Grace for your spirit September 17, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.   Psalm 143:10

From time to time we may have trouble doing God's will.  We may need to be reminded of His word, or need a little boost of His Spirit.  The Word will get us back on the right track, and the Spirit will help us overcome inertia and get us going.  That's a prayer we can all use today, and everyday.

Grace for your spirit September 16, 2015

Grace for your spirit

I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.  John 10:10

Jesus is pictured as a good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.  He is the door for the sheep to be saved, and they can find pasture to be fed.  He also protects them from their enemies.  This is a picture of what Jesus does for us too.  He died so we can be saved. He feeds us with our daily needs, and protects us from harm.  He walks with us today and  tomorrow.  That is the true abundant life.

Grace for your spirit September 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."   Luke 9:62

Discipleship consists of fixing our eyes on Jesus, and running the race set before us.  If we are looking back we can't see Jesus or stay on track.  It is tempting to try to do both, but it will not be successful.  If we plow a straight row, we must fix our eyes on a point and head for it. Looking back just doesn't work.   Let's learn what must be in our line of sight and what must be left out.  Follow Jesus.

Grace for your spirit September 14, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and your seat will be empty.  I Samuel 20:18

Saul was King of Israel, and David was the anointed King.  Saul's son and David were friends, but Saul hated David.  The strife between them would force David away from the king's table.  He would be missing.  In most of our church gatherings, we seem to have "our seat."   When we miss the gathering our seat is empty.  Whatever the reason for our absence, our seat in empty and we are missed.  It is even worse when strife drives us away.  Let's all beware of the empty seats around us next time, and make an extra effort to let them know they are missed.

Grace for your spirit September 11, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your teachers eating with tax-gatherers and sinners?  Jesus said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick."  Matthew 9:11-12

Jeremiah the prophet cried out for healing among his people.  "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" He saw his people wasting away, and prayed for a doctor and some medicine to save them. We live in a world that is sick and dying spiritually as well.  Will we search for, and welcome that healing for the sin sick souls?  Jesus has been called "The Great Physician" and so He is.  Let's help the sick reach Him in time.

Grace for your spirit September 10, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Harvest is past, summer is ended, and we are not saved.   Jeremiah 8:18

Even the animal and plant world knows that when summer is over, and harvest is past, you better get ready for winter or perish.  Jeremiah saw the winter of their lives on the horizon and they had done nothing to prepare. He cried out for them, but they did not listen.  As our lives rolls along, the winter of our lives is inevitable.  Shall we face the end of it all unprepared to meet our God?  Salvation is in Christ Jesus.  Let's not wait too long to seek that shelter.  

Grace for your spirit September 9, 2015

Grace for  your spirit

But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

Hidden deep in the third verse of "Beneath The Cross of Jesus",  are words that need to be in our heart.  "And from my smitten heart with tears, two wonders I confess:  The wonders of His glorious love, and my own worthlessness."  When we can truly see how worthless we are as sinners, and acknowledge His love and sacrifice, it should pierce our heart.   We can only get the view beneath the cross of Jesus.  Let's get there.

Grace for your spirit September 8, 2015

Grace for your spirit

 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.  John 3:17

The mission of Jesus was clearly stated in His own words.  He came to seek and save the lost.  When anyone rejects Jesus and turns from the light of God, judgment has already come.  Jesus' mission was to release those captives, set free the downtrodden, and proclaim salvation to all.  May our ministry be in the path of Jesus.  Not to condemn, but rather to seek and save the lost. 

Grace for your spirit September 3, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature.  I Corinthians 14:20

We all must live with a split personality.  We walk after the Spirit, but we still live with a sinful nature.  It is important that we know what to accentuate, and what to eliminate.  In our decision making it is important that we seek maturity.  Yet when dealing with evil it is far better to have a spirit of children.  This combination will help us to walk after the Spirit and avoid the sinfulness that will detract us.  How great it would be if we could be mature and still know how to blush at evil.

Grace for your spirit September 2, 2015

Grace for your spirit

I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it.  Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly.  For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?  I Corinthians 3:2-3

Doctors can usually determine why some children never grow up.  It may be improper nourishment, or some disease in their body that stops proper growth.  The same kind of thing can happen to spiritual babes as well.  When babes never grow, never get off the milk and on to the meat, growth in stunted.  Additionally, when the sinful nature is fed by jealousy and strife, trouble follows.  Let's feed our soul with the word of God, and seek spiritual surgery to remove the diseases that kill us.  When we do, our walk in the Spirit can be filled with joy.

Grace for your spirit September 1, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And as they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.  Matthew 27:32

How does anyone do that?  You step out of the crowd and carry the cross of Jesus to Golgatha.  It takes preparation for a moment like this, it takes maturity not to shirk the call, and it takes adrenaline to stand up to the task.  Preparation, maturity, and adrenaline.  Let's fill up with all three and get ready to go, go, go. As the song goes, "Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? No, there's a cross for everyone, and there's a cross for me."

Grace for your spirit August 31, 2015

Grace for your spirit

If you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Colossians 3:1

Looking up to God is a long standing tradition for believers.  Noah looked up through his window, Israel looked at the cloud of glory over the Holy Place in the wilderness, and the standard with the bronze serpent. When Jesus was crucified He was lifted up, and as He ascended into Heaven, the apostles were looking up watching Him go. They were told to keep looking up for His return, and we are instructed to look at the heavens for His return also.  Let's show our risen lifestyle by looking up.  How are things today?  "They're looking up."

Grace for your spirit August 28, 2015

Grace for your spirit

You shall make a window for the ark and finish it to a cubit from the top;   Genesis 6:16

Noah built his ark exactly as God instructed. Wood, size, decks, door, and window.  The only window was 18 inches from the top.  The only way anyone could look out was looking up.  God didn't want Noah to see the destruction around him.  God only wanted Noah and his family to look to Him.  That focus is good advice for us today as well.  We need to keep our eyes on God.  When we do it will keep us from seeing the evil world around us.  Good advice for all times.  Look up and live.

Grace for your spirit August 27, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me.  You will stretch forth You hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.  The Lord will accomplish what concerns me.  Psalm 138:7-8

Does it seem like trouble is always just around the corner? Do we spend lots of time worrying about what is going to happen next?How much better it would be to remember that God is always in the middle of our trouble with us, and He is concerned about saving us and helping us do His will in our lives.  Let's start walking with confidence and leave the worrying to other people.  We walk with the King.

Grace for your spirit August 26, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel , saying, "If you return to the Lord with all  your heart, removed the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.  I Samuel  7:3

The two middle letters of the word LIFE are IF.  The heart of life really is based on IF.  If the children of Israel really were sorry, and they really had repented in their heart, there would be a change in their behavior. If they destroyed their idols, God would reward them with victory.  Godly sorrow leads to repentance and that is the proof.  Do we have any proof?

Grace for your spirit August 25, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And watch, if it goes up the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil.  But if not, then we shall know that it was not He hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.  I Samuel.  6:9

The Philistines had captured to the Ark of God and had taken quite a beating for it.  The were sending it back to Israel on a cart pulled by two cows.  They were wondering if God had struck them, or if it was just by chance.  That is the never ending question among idol worshipers and atheists.  As believers, we should never test God in any way.  It is God who rewards, it is God who disciplines, it is God who provides, and it is God who causes all things to work together for our good.  Trust Him.

Grace for your spirit August 24, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:2

It should go without saying that when we are having trouble, we should look to Jesus for inspiration.  Note Jesus' plan to endure the pain and the shame.  For the joy set before Him He endured.  In other words, when we are in tough times, look ahead at the reward we will receive for faithfulness.  It carried Him, and it will also carry us.  Let's fix our eyes there.

Grace for your spirit August 21, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.  Hebrews 4:2

Do you remember what happened to the children of Israel in the wilderness?  The heard the voice of God, they saw His mighty works, yet the adults who left Egypt died in the desert, failing to make it into the promised land.  Reason?  They did not mix the word they received with faith.  Here is the reminder and warning for all of us.  We can hear His word, know His mighty works, but without faith we cannot please Him.  Let's not find ourselves falling short of our  promised land in heaven.

Grace for your spirit August 20, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Apply your heart to discipline, and your ears to words of knowledge.  Proverbs 23:12

It sounds like disciplined hearts open the ears.  There is little we can do with one is undisciplined and our of control.  They cannot hear, they will not hear, and reject any knowledge and wisdom.  When we have decided in advance that we will not be challenged or changed, nothing positive can every happen to us.  Like the old farmer who hit the mule with a board. They told him the mule wouldn't do anything that way. The farmer replied, "I'm not trying to get him to do anything, I'm just trying to get his attention."  When will God get our attention?

Grace for your spirit August 19, 2015

Grace for your spirit

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  II Timothy 3:16-17

If the first part of this verse is false, then the second part is false as well. There can be no reproof, correction, training, or equipping, if the message is unsure.  If we maintain the the premise that the Bible is partly the Word of God, that is much more damaging that rejecting it completely.  If we are free to accept the part we like, and reject the part we don't, our discipline to learn and transform lies dormant.  God wants us to change, not change what we read.

Grace for your spirit August 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.  II Timothy 1:7

When we take an inventory of our emotions and motivations, we need to identify who is supplying us with them.  If we are running with "the wrong crowd", our spirits can change quickly.  Let's identify which of our emotions are from God and which are from the devil.  God does not give us a spirit of fear.  Instead, He fills us with power, love, and discipline.  If we find ourselves filled with fear, timidity, weakness, hate, and lack of self control, we are probably running with the wrong crowd. Let's open our spirits to The Light, and He will push the darkness away.

Grace for your spirit August 17, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord, I will put My law within them , and on their heart, I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  Jeremiah 31:33

When the house of Israel left Egypt, He wrote the Law on tablets of stone for Moses on Mt. Sinai.  When Moses returned to the people and saw their idols, he shattered the tablets and they had to be replaced. The people shattered His law with their constant disobedience, and there would be a time for a permanent replacement.  Not on stone this time, but in the hearts of believers.  With Jesus, we can treasure Him in our hearts and never break our relationship with God.  That is the joy of this new covenant.

Grace for your spirit August 14, 2015

Grace for your spirit

It will no longer be said of  you, "Forsaken," nor to your land will it any long be said, "Desolate":  But you will be called, "My delight is in her." And your land "Married"; For the Lord delights in you, And in Him your land will be married.  Isaiah 62:4

Israel had a disturbing background.  Because of their disobedience, they carried the title "Forsaken" and "Desolate".  Isaiah, the prophet of the Messiah, had better news for them.  The coming of Jesus would change their status to "delight" and they would transform into the bride of Christ.  Christ's church is most certainly His bride.  As His bride, we shake the image of "forsaken" and "desolate" and replace it with "Delight".  It was hope for their future, and hope for ours as well. 

Grace for your spirit August 13, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.  Psalm 147:5

Those who know the Lord will put their trust in Him, because they know He never forsakes those who seek Him.  He is strong enough to stand forever, and understanding enough to know what we need before we know how to ask.  Our God is an Awesome God.  He can see and know from beginning to end, and knows how to fit us in. When will we learn not to put our trust in other things?  Let's learn not to lean on our own understanding, when we can have His.

Grace for your spirit August 7, 2015

Grace for your spirit

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

The walls of the city gave it identity and protection.  Once those walls were breached, their city belonged to their enemies.  God gives us a spirit giving us an identity and protection like walls.  When we surrender, our lives belong to our enemies as well.  God's Spirit can strengthen our spirit when we give our lives to Him.  Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we children of God". When we are children of God, it comes with a new identity and new protection.

Grace for your spirit August 6, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  Matthew 16:24

There seems to be a common philosophy in religion.  They say It doesn't matter what road you take, or what kind of car you drive, as long as we all end up in the same garage.  In other words, do your own thing, in your own way, to get to the same place.  Jesus prescribed a narrow way of submitting to Him in His way with self denial.  He said He was the way, the truth, and the life.  We will never make it to the "same garage", unless we are in Him.  It is not our interests that are important, but Gods.

Grace for your spirit August 5, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And those who know  Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.  Psalm 9:10

David wrote, "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    David was called a man after God's own heart.  Although he experienced many lows in his life, he always came back up with his trust in the Lord.  Sometimes it takes a while for us to get it right too. When we are ready, God is always ready to help us.  Let's commit to know the Lord and put our trust in Him

Grace for your spirit August 4, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.  Jude 22-23

How grateful we can be when we need rescued.  Grateful that fire fighters, police, paramedics, and military personnel are trained and ready to help us in time of need.  There is another rescue squad that needs to be trained and ready as well.  That is Christ's rescue squad.  People are perishing all around us everyday due to spiritual and emotional loss. With dedication and training, we can be part of that rescue squad.  Let's be ready to answer the bell when it rings.  Wait! It's ringing now.

Grace for your spirit August 3, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen   Romans 1:25

How can anyone who says they know God, turn their back on Him? There is a big difference between knowing about God and honoring Him as God.  When anyone is drawn away by the lust and sin of life, there is a strong desire to be involved in it without guilt.  To do that,  the truth of God must be exchanged for the lie the devil sells us.  When we are satisfied to serve the creature, there is no limit to the depths of our sin. Let's beware when there is no fear of God before our eyes.