Grace for your spirit
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven Matthew 5:16
There are so many things we can do to let our lights shine before men. It may be a kind word, or a helping hand in the name of the Lord. It could be a label pin or a bumper sticker than indicates our devotion to Jesus. It might be reading our Bible on a break at work. It's just wonderful when our light illuminates another. Recently someone made a nice remark about my email address, "graceforyourspirit", and asked what it was about. I had a chance to talk about God's grace, and today there is one more person reading this column. We all receive grace everyday, so let's give some back. It gives glory to our Father.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Grace for your spirit. September 12, 2012
Grace for your spirit
But go, tell His disciples and Peter,, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as he told you. Mark 16:7
Peter was certainly down in the dumps after he denied Jesus three times on His way to the cross. He wept bitterly and may have not considered himself a disciple anymore. When the word went out to meet Jesus, there was a special call for Peter. A little like Ron Riegel who was playing in the 1929 Rose Bowl. He picked up a fumble and ran the wrong way in front of 71,000 laughing people. He refused to take the field in the second half until the coach reminded him that the game was only half over. Jesus did the same thing for Peter. He still had time for a big comeback, and he was successful. Do we think it is over for us? Let's get back into the game. It is time for our comeback with our coaches encouragement.
But go, tell His disciples and Peter,, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as he told you. Mark 16:7
Peter was certainly down in the dumps after he denied Jesus three times on His way to the cross. He wept bitterly and may have not considered himself a disciple anymore. When the word went out to meet Jesus, there was a special call for Peter. A little like Ron Riegel who was playing in the 1929 Rose Bowl. He picked up a fumble and ran the wrong way in front of 71,000 laughing people. He refused to take the field in the second half until the coach reminded him that the game was only half over. Jesus did the same thing for Peter. He still had time for a big comeback, and he was successful. Do we think it is over for us? Let's get back into the game. It is time for our comeback with our coaches encouragement.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Grace for your spirit. September 11, 2012
Grace for your spirit
But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For of the heart comes evil thought, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts false witness, slanders. Matthew 15:18-19
Freudian psychology concluded that we are all evil, and unless we have a buffer, all of that evil will come out, and if were are to communicate in a civil manner, the "Id" must be tamed. It is a poor substitute for the solution given us by Jesus. He knows we have evil in our hearts, but He doesn't just wish to buffer what comes out of our mouth, but rather to change our hearts and remove the evil. When He transforms our heart, our mouths will follow. It is not what we put in our mouths that defile us, but how we what comes out
But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For of the heart comes evil thought, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts false witness, slanders. Matthew 15:18-19
Freudian psychology concluded that we are all evil, and unless we have a buffer, all of that evil will come out, and if were are to communicate in a civil manner, the "Id" must be tamed. It is a poor substitute for the solution given us by Jesus. He knows we have evil in our hearts, but He doesn't just wish to buffer what comes out of our mouth, but rather to change our hearts and remove the evil. When He transforms our heart, our mouths will follow. It is not what we put in our mouths that defile us, but how we what comes out
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Grace for your spirit. September 10, 2012
Grace for your spirit
Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you give Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Luke 7:44
Jesus set at the table with people who thought they were religious and noble servants of God. Such people would never notice a servant who was washing the feet of Jesus. This woman had many sins, and her forgiveness made her grateful and moved her to service. The noble apostles and Pharisees didn't think they needed forgiveness. Jesus wanted Peter to see this woman and follow her example instead of being led by the Pharisees. May we be people who feel great forgiveness and let that motivate us to see humble servants and be humble servants.
Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you give Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Luke 7:44
Jesus set at the table with people who thought they were religious and noble servants of God. Such people would never notice a servant who was washing the feet of Jesus. This woman had many sins, and her forgiveness made her grateful and moved her to service. The noble apostles and Pharisees didn't think they needed forgiveness. Jesus wanted Peter to see this woman and follow her example instead of being led by the Pharisees. May we be people who feel great forgiveness and let that motivate us to see humble servants and be humble servants.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Grace for your spirit. September 7, 2012
Grace for your spirit
Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD. I Samuel 2:12
At this time in Israel, the people looked to their Judges for guidance. Eli was one of the Judges and was given the challenge to raise and train Samuel. Unfortunately for the time being, Eli and his sons were in charge. His sons were worthless, immoral, and did not know the Lord. It was a disastrous combination that ruined Israel. We can relive the disasters of history, when we do the same things. When we allow our churches to be ran by worthless, immoral people who do not know the Lord, congregations will die. Unaware disciples can let unprincipled leader destroy the church. We must study the scriptures and accept nothing less than what God calls for in our leaders. Are we doing anything to secure leadership for our future?
Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD. I Samuel 2:12
At this time in Israel, the people looked to their Judges for guidance. Eli was one of the Judges and was given the challenge to raise and train Samuel. Unfortunately for the time being, Eli and his sons were in charge. His sons were worthless, immoral, and did not know the Lord. It was a disastrous combination that ruined Israel. We can relive the disasters of history, when we do the same things. When we allow our churches to be ran by worthless, immoral people who do not know the Lord, congregations will die. Unaware disciples can let unprincipled leader destroy the church. We must study the scriptures and accept nothing less than what God calls for in our leaders. Are we doing anything to secure leadership for our future?
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Grace for your spirit. September 5, 2012
Grace for your spirit
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19
Ever hear the expression, "we gave him just enough rope to hang himself?" Most of the time that rope is our own words. For most people, if they talk long enough, eventually their own words will show their transgressions. The wise disciple is directed to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Better to sit silently and let everyone think we are a fool, than to open our mouths and remove all doubt. We have been given two ears and one mouth. Let's use them proportionately and speak wisely.
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19
Ever hear the expression, "we gave him just enough rope to hang himself?" Most of the time that rope is our own words. For most people, if they talk long enough, eventually their own words will show their transgressions. The wise disciple is directed to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Better to sit silently and let everyone think we are a fool, than to open our mouths and remove all doubt. We have been given two ears and one mouth. Let's use them proportionately and speak wisely.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Grace for your spirit. Septembe 4, 2012
Grace for your spirit
So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. John 21:5-6
When Jesus first men His fishing apostles, they couldn't catch any fish either. With His blessing, they became fishers of men. Now, after His death and resurrection, they went back to fishing, but still couldn't catch anything until they had the blessing of Jesus. Jesus was there to deliver them a message. The message was "quit your day jobs." You won't' be catching any fish without me anyway. Their fishing for souls career was about to kick into high gear. Jesus has a great career opportunity for all his disciples. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. John 21:5-6
When Jesus first men His fishing apostles, they couldn't catch any fish either. With His blessing, they became fishers of men. Now, after His death and resurrection, they went back to fishing, but still couldn't catch anything until they had the blessing of Jesus. Jesus was there to deliver them a message. The message was "quit your day jobs." You won't' be catching any fish without me anyway. Their fishing for souls career was about to kick into high gear. Jesus has a great career opportunity for all his disciples. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
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