Grace for your spirit June 18, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Truly, I say to you, among those born of woman there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  Matthew 11:11

Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest because his focus on his mission to prepare that way for Jesus, and his unwavering humility in serving others.  Can we really be greater than he?  The way is not climbing up the ladder of success, but climbing down the ladder.  When we humble ourselves to accept Jesus, and humble ourselves to be servants of all, we find our victory at the bottom of the ladder.  The greatest title in His Kingdom, is servant.

Grace for your spirit June 17, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  Matthew 5:39

The teachings of an eye for eye and tooth for a tooth, only gives you a lot of blind toothless people, and revenge belongs to God anyway. Besides, God knows when we choose to hit back, we become like the people who hit us.  David would never hit back again Saul, because he didn't want to become like Saul. As we  follow the directions of Jesus and becoming like Him, we will always be the real winners. 

Grace for your spirit June 16, 2015

Grace for your spirit

The Queen of the South shall rise up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold something greater than Solomon is here.  Matthew 12:42

This queen had heard of the riches and wisdom of Solomon, and she came to see for herself, doubtful of the stories.  She was impressed by Solomon and proclaimed, "the half had not been told to me."  She was impressed by Solomon, and these people wouldn't give Jesus a second look. Jesus is greater than Solomon, greater than King David, greater than Abraham, Moses, the temple, and the Law.  He is the greatest High Priest, and greater than anything in the world. We should be changed by Him.  When we aren't, it is condemnation for us.  Let's give the great one another look, and let Him transform us.

Grace for your spirit June 15, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly/.   Romans 12:6

Do we exercise our gifts to build up and tear down.  Our aerobics could be; beating around the bush, jumping to conclusions, dragging our feet, making mountains out of molehills, running in circles, tooting our own horn, adding fuel to the fire, opening a can of worms, or putting our foot in our mouth. A better use of our exercise would be; kneeling in prayer, uplifting our hands in praise and prayer, hugs of encouragement, picking up the pieces, and keeping the ball rolling.  Let choose the exercise program that makes us and everyone else feel better

Grace for your spirit June 12, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

We would all be glad if God would cause all things to work together for good for  us.  There are conditions we need to fulfill to bring us those blessings.  When we fulfill the greatest command to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love our neighbors as ourselves, we are answering His call to live in His purpose.  His love, our love, His purpose, our purpose, will bring about all things working for good in us.  Watch and see.

Grace for your spirit June 11, 2015

Grace for your spirit

He said to  him, "I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to him by the word of the Lord, saying, 'Bring him back with you to your  house, that he may eat break and drink water." But he lied to him.  I Kings 13:18

A prophet of Judah had been instructed by God to not associate with the false prophets of Israel.  A false prophet told him an angel spoke to him and said it was O.K. anyway.  The false prophet was lying for his own benefits.  The result of those actions brought death to the true prophet of Judah.  It was a sign to warn against the false prophets of Israel.  When we have been instructed by God in His word, let's not be led astray by anyone who says they have a different, more up to date message from an angel or a spirit.   There are many false prophets today as well who lie for their own benefit.  Trust God

Grace for your spirit June 10, 2015

Grace for your spirit

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;   Romans 8:26

Whether we have been taught how to pray or not, there can be times when we are so overwhelmed that we cannot find the words to meet our needs.  That is a time when the Spirit comes to our rescue.  The Spirit can search our hearts and minds and intercede for us and communicate with God.  When we look to our Father in name of Jesus, our groan is enough.  He can fill in the blanks for us, until the words form in us