Grace for your spirit February 10, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Most of us know about the "Beatitudes" of Matthew chapter 5.  They list the many ways we are "Blessed".in His kingdom. Blessed are poor in spirit, mourners,gentle, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted. The New Testament ends with another list of "Blessed". Beatitudes in Revelation.  In between the two sets, we find the reason for it all.  Jesus.

Rev 1:3 - Blessed are those who read and heed the prophecy

Rev 14:13-Blessed are dead who die in the Lord

Rev 16:15-Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps clothes

Rev 19:9-Blessed are those who are invited to marriage supper

Rev 20:5-Blessed is one who has a part in the first resurrection

Rev 22:7-Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy

Rev 22:14-Blessed are those who wash their robes and have right to tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.

Grace for your spirit February 9, 2015

Grace for your spirit

I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.  Psalm 68:30   Let's magnify and exult His name together.  Psalm 34:3

As our eyes get older, it seems the print get smaller.  There comes a time when we need to magnify everything in order to get the clear message.  As time passes by in our lives spiritually, sometimes people have a difficult time seeing the clear message about Jesus.  When Christians fill our lives with song and thanksgiving, it helps to magnify Him for those who cannot see.  When we do it together, we can accomplish a great deal for those who want to see.

Grace for your spirit February 6, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.   Ephesians 6:12

Most dangerous war we can be in, is the one we don't know we are in. Many are waiting for a struggle with the enemies of Christ in the world. Others are waiting to be arrested and "thrown to the lions."  Too many of us sit around while the forces of wickedness surround us, not realizing that war is already on.  Let's arise and put on the armor that God has supplied us.  With the armor, preparation, and staying alert, we shall overcome.

Grace for your spirit February 5, 2014

Grace for your spirit

And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.  Matthew 27:51

At the very moment Jesus died on the cross, God hit Jerusalem and the temple with a giant exclamation point!  Ripping the veil that hid the holy places, and shaking the very ground they stood on was a warning. The city was in a dark earthquake, saying to the people that truly this was the Son of God. When Jesus would rise from the dead, He would point these troubled souls to a new peace.  May God shake our world too, and  may we be uncomfortable about the place we are standing.  Let's allow Jesus to lead us to a new place and a new peace.

Grace for your spirit February 4, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when  they are strangers  III Jn 5

While it is certainly true that the mission of the church is stopping error, we are equally charged with spreading truth.  Our mission is not only to stop false teachers, but also to encourage right ones.  Running people off is rather easy, but instructing, nurturing, and encouraging takes more time and effort.  In Acts 18, when Priscilla & Aquila met Apollos teaching incorrectly, they could have run him off, but instead, they took the time and effort to properly instruct.  With that, Apollos became extremely productive in the kingdom.  Let's go and do the same.

Grace for your spirit February 3, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16

Most kingdoms do not have a throne that can be approached at all.  In the time of Esther, if someone approached the king without permission, they would be killed.  Kings were not known for their giving, but rather for taking what helped them.  The Throne of Christ is a welcoming throne of grace and mercy.  We can have the assurance that His arms are open and ready to meet our needs.  Come on up. 

Grace for your spirit February 2, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days; and the water increased and lifted up the ark so that it rose above the earth. Genesis 7:17

Noah and his family were saved from the water by the water.  The water that destroyed all mankind, lifted them above the destruction.  God promised He would never destroy the world by water, but promised the world would be destroyed by fire next time.  Jesus came to bring us the Holy Spirit and fire.  The presence of Jesus in our lives will lift us above the destructive fire of His second coming.  We will be saved from the fire by His fire.  Praise the Lord.