Grace for your spirit January 12, 2016

Grace for your spirit

Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."  The Jews then said,"It took forty-six years to building this temple, and will  You raise it up in three days?" John 2:19-20

As Jesus stood in Herod's mighty temple, Jesus began to plant the seed in their minds that He Himself was the new and true temple of the Holy Spirit.  This beloved temple of stone would be destroyed in a few short years, and Jesus would live forever.  It was a difficult transition for them to release the stone, and cling to Jesus, the new chief cornerstone. That is still our task and challenge today

Grace for your spirit January 11, 2015

Grace for your spirit

You also, as living  stones, are building built up as a spiritual houses for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual scrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  I Peter 2:5

Many these days, spend lots of effort and money on building church buildings to attract the masses to worship.  A better attraction might be for us to be building our personal spiritual house, to be that priest Jesus wants us to be, and be a living sacrifice.  That kind of life will draw people no matter where we meet.  "O Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary."

Grace for your spirit January 8, 2016

Grace for your spirit

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5

The love of money is the root of all forms of evil.  When we put it first in our lives it can become an idol.  An idol in our lives diminishes our trust in God to take care of us, and He doesn't like that.  God promises to take care of us always.  He never fails.  Let's learn to love and trust HIs word and His promises.

Grace for your spirit January 7, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.  This is the deceiver and the antichrist.  2 John 7

Many look at scripture and see everything coming far away in the future. This makes it much easier for the deceiver to trap us.  In fact, the antichrist is not some mythical creature arising in the future, but has been with us since Jesus came to earth.  Let's watch closely today, to make sure the devil doesn't destroy our faith in Jesus. He has come, He has risen, He is coming again.

Grace for your spirit January 6, 2015

Grace for your spirit

The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went away.  

Matthew 13:24-25

Jesus has planted good seed in his field that will produced a great harvest.  The devil has planted weeds in that same field with the intent of destroying the good seed and good harvest.  Our challenge is to grow and prosper in a field of weeds.  Christians cannot be "hot house plants".  We must remain strong against the schemes of the devil until the harvest.  Then we will receive our reward and the enemy will be destroyed.

Grace for your spirit January 5, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Finally brethren, what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good  repute, of excellence, and worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:8

A high pressure weather system is stronger than the surrounding pressure, and it clears out bad weather ushering in good weather. Positive communication is like high pressure in our thinking.  When we think positive thoughts, and communicate them to others, it helps to clear out the bad thoughts that can bring us all down.  Let's put sunshine in our souls today, and bring sunny skies to all we meet.

Grace for your spirit January 4, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  Hebrews 2:16

How did God reconciled a sinful people to a Holy God?  He made Jesus like His brethren, to be tempted in all things, yet without sin.  Jesus was always perfect, but He wasn't the perfect sacrifice until He suffered and learned obedience.  That made Him a High Priest who understands and cares.  How thankful we can be when He comes to help us in our time of need.