Grace for your spirit May 20. 2014

Grace for your spirit

Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake.  Acts 9:15-16

When Ananias went to visit Saul restore his sight and convert him to be a disciple, he certainly didn't "soft soap" the message. When Saul went into the water of baptism, he knew his mission and the difficulties coming from it.  It made him the greatest missionary ever.  Too often, in our efforts to see someone become a Christian, we will minimize the mission and hardships that might follow.  That causes many a disciple to never know their mission and drop out at the first sign of trouble. We can't wash away sins, or make disciples, with "soft soap."

Grace for your spirit May 19, 2014

Grace for your spirit

For when Gentiles  who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts. Romans 2:14-15

God gives everyone a moral sense of right and wrong.  Before we ever see a rule of conduct, we have that sense within us.  Laws help guide our moral conduct, but some principles of conduct are so obvious we should really never need a law in front of us. Heard an old song called "Smoking in the boy's room."  The chorus says, "Teacher, don't you fill me up with your rules.  Everyone knows smokin' ain't allowed in school."  Let's look to our moral compass to help us make the right choices always: rules or no rules

Grace for your spirit May 16, 2014

Grace for your spirit

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from you Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered.  So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:29-31

There is a poem by Elizabeth Cheney.  Said the robin to the sparrow, "I should really like to know, why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so?"  Said the sparrow to the robin, "Friend, I think that it must be.  They have no heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me."  As we rush about and worry, it is good for us to remember that old hymn. "When Jesus is my portion. My constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me."  When we start believing it, then we can start living it. 

Grace for your spirit May 15, 2014

Grace for your spirit

It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.  Job 42:7

Perhaps the three friends of Job thought they were on a mission from God.  Their mission to straighten out Job did more harm than good.  At the end of the story, God rebuked them, told them to repent, sacrifice, and have Job pray for them.  When we put ourselves in a mission to straighten out someone else, we need to start with ourselves.  As we represent God, are our words right?  Let's be very careful that we are judging rightly, and not using our own scripture to make a point. Without care, we can do more harm than good.

Grace for your spirit May 14, 2014

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

The verses around this passage urges disciples to admonish, encourage, help, be patient, rejoice, pray, and give thanks.  In order to accomplish these things, we must learn to repay blessings for evil and seek after good.  A list of things to do only will not get the job done.  It must come from the heart.  When we make it a priority to look for good to do, the requests from God will be accomplished.  Let's spread that around with our example.

Grace for your spirit May 13, 2014

Grace for your spirit

Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.  Ruth 1:16

This verse is often used in weddings to proclaim commitment, but for Ruth it was much, much, more than that.  Ruth was a foreign Moabite widow, being led into a strange land.  It was her proclamation of faith in God, and her mother in law.  Every decision she made from that point forward, reflected this profession of faith.  Her life was blessed, and led her to her new husband, and a glorious future.  This verse needs to be in our hearts, long before we make major decisions.  Let's commit to put our Master and our mission first, and let Him work out the details.

Grace for your spirit May 12, 2014

Grace for your spirit

He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.  Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;  When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.  Proverbs 17:27-28

There used to be a popular phrase, "Loose lips sink ships".It meant you should be careful what you say and to whom you say it, not giving aid to the enemy.  Loose lips also destroy relationships.  Sometimes, we can become irritated with someone and say things that are hurtful and destructive. The person of wisdom and understanding keeps a cool spirit and does not carry on destructive comments. Let's be thoughtful about the words that come out of our mouth.