Grace for your spirit January 10, 2013

Grace for your spirit

As He was getting into the boat, the man who  was demon-possessed, was imploring Him that he might accompany Him.      Mark 5:18'

Jesus was confronted by a man who was demon possessed.  Jesus called that demon out of that man which healed his body and spirit.  The man was so grateful that he wished to go with Jesus and help Him.  Jesus stopped him, and told him to go home to his people and tell everyone what great things the Lord has done for him, and how He had mercy on him.  When the Lord delivers us from our sins and we become His disciple, there are two paths for us to take.  We certainly will come and follow Him, but we will also go and make disciples with the good news.  Let's follow Him to worship, and go into our world to serve Him.  Both paths show we are grateful for His grace.

Grace for your spirit January 9, 2013

Grace for your spirit

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?       Luke 10:40

Is there room for both Martha and Mary in the kingdom?  We all have gifts that differ in serving the Lord.  In this story Martha was working in the kitchen to serve, while Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His words.  Some may have the gift of service, another may have the gift of teaching.  Whatever gift we have, let's resolve to do it with all our hearts without complaint.  One thing that will diminish our gift to the Lord is grumbling and complaining.  Take a look at Romans 12:3-8, find our gift, exercise our gift, and work it with joy.  Yes, there is room in the kingdom.

Grace for your spirit January 8, 2013

Grace for your spirit

But Jesus said, "Let the little children alone, and so not hinder them from coming to Me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.  Matthew 19:14

The tragic killings of so many children in Connecticut shocks us all.  So many senseless deaths is hard to handle.  In fact many more children are killed everyday in our country by angry parents and sexual deviants.  All these events are caused by evil and sin among us.  I'm glad we can still be shocked and disgusted by such horror.  As we mourn the death of these twenty, nearly 4,000 children are aborted every day in the United States.  It has become so common place that most of us are completely unaware of the slaughter of the unborn, who are children too.  These little ones are not political or religious footballs, they are living souls.  Could we every reach a place where the killing of school children is so common place that it isn't even noticed?  Evil does have a way to overcome us. Turning the world to Jesus is the only solution.  Let's all pray together for relief, and pray for the children.  May the new year be kinder to us al

Grace for your spirit January 7, 2013

Grace for your spirit

Truly truly I say to you.Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.   John 3:3

Death is a separation.  When we die physically, we separate our earthly bodies from our spirit.  When we die spiritually, our soul is separated from God.  The separation from God is the death we have the opportunity to avoid.  When we are born again of the water and the Spirit, we are born twice, but will only die once.  If we fail to be born again, and are only born once, we will die twice.  First death in this life, and the second death separation from God eternally.  For those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, the second death has no power.  Let's be born again and we will see the kingdom of God.  That's what I want to see, don't you?

Grace for your spirit January 4, 2013

Grace for your spirit

Please run now to meet her and say to her, "Is it well with you?"  Is it well with your husband?  Is it well with your  child?"And she answered, "It is well". II Kings 4:26

This Shunammite woman is riding "full blast" to the Mt. of the prophet Elisha.  She has just left her son dead at home.  When she is asked if all is well, she answered that it is well.  This is a picture of confident faith.  She has such faith that Elisha will make all things well, she has already counted it as well.  It is that faith that few people understand.  When our world is falling apart, it is the trust in knowing that God will make it right.  Her faith was rewarded and her son's life was restored. The old hymn, "It is well", is a picture of that faith. In the face of great loss, H.G. Spafford wrote, "Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul."  Teach us Lord.

Grace for your spirit January 3, 2013

Grace for your spirit

For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you".  Romans 2:24

Blasphemy is an evil utterance against God.  It is a horrible thing to do, but it makes it even worse when the so-called people of God cause it to occur by ungodly living.  In the passage, the religious leaders are being judged because they teach righteousness, but live evil lives.  This kind of behavior separates everyone from God.  The first time is saw this referred to in the Bible was in connection with King David in II Samuel 12:14.  David was guilty of adultery and murder and still sitting on the throne judging others.  When these things came to light, God's enemies blasphemed against God.  How about us?  Do we teach righteousness and live like the devil?  What are people saying about the God we are supposed to be serving?  Let's repent and seek His grace and forgiveness immediately.

Grace for your spirit January 2, 2013

Grace for your spirit

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate, and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.  Genesis 3:6

There used to be a anti drug theme, "Just say NO!"  I always thought it should be "Just say NO, and Run!"  If we let the devil and temptation hang around long enough, bad will start to look good.  If Eve would have quit looking at the tree and told the devil to get lost, the outcome might have been much different.  Our need for immediate gratification is strong.  Take a minute and google the "Marshmallow Experiment". When we leave what we should not have around, we face difficult challenges.  Jesus' words are best. "Satan, be gone!"