Grace for your spirit 3-30-16

Grace for your spirit

By this you know the Spirit of God:  every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.  I John 4:2

It does not take a degree in Theology to identify a false prophet in this world, or determine who is the Anti-Christ.  Many religions seek the formula to know, when it just isn't that hard.  The cornerstone of all Christianity is Jesus became flesh and lived among us.  He lived, He died, He arose, He ascended.  Any so called prophet that tells us differently is a false prophet.  Let's not look for the flash, but the truth.

Grace for your spirit 3-29-16

Grace for your spirit

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.  Luke 22:61

Jesus had told Peter he would deny Him three times.  Peter could not imagine his faith being that weak, but it was.  On the way to the cross Peter did deny knowing Him three times, and just then Jesus turned and looked at Peter.  BAM!  My dad would tell me change out of my dress pants or I would rip them.  I didn't think he knew anything until I ripped them.  Then I heard his voice clearly again.  When Jesus tells us something, let's not "blow it off".  He knows.  We don't

Grace for your spirit 3-28-16

Grace for your spirit

But go. tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you."  Mark 16:7

Peter was certainly down in the dumps.  Denying Jesus three times on the way to the cross.  He must have certainly thought he had disqualified himself as a disciple.  The message was clear.  Make sure to tell Peter.  He job is about to begin. It reminds me of Ron Riegels, a UCLA football player, who picked up a fumble at the Rose Bowl and ran 80 yards the wrong way.  After halftime, he has no desire to return to the field, but the coach told him the game was only half over.  Ron, like Peter, certainly redeemed himself in the second half.  Let's get back in the game.

Grace for your spirit March 25, 2016

Grace for your spirit

For I delivered unto you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins  according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  I Corinthians 15:3-4

How important is this message?  The Bible tells us that the message of the resurrection is of first importance.  By it we are saved from our sins. The Apostle Paul who dedicated his life to preaching this good news, confessed that if this was not true, his preaching was in vain, his faith was worthless, and that he was a false witness. Yes, It matters and it matters much.  May it be on our lips every day for everyone.  Be faithful to proclaim it this Lord's day.

Grace for your spirit 3-24-16

Grace for your spirit

Behold I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. Ezekiel 3:8

Ezekiel was sent by God to help His people on their way to captivity. The main enemy Ezekiel would face was their hard heads.  Hard heads, hard hearts, closed ears, God's gift to Ezekiel was a head that was harder than theirs.  When they would "butt heads: Ezekiel would prevail. We too should have no fear of the "hardheaded" in our world.  God can give us a head harder than theirs, so we can have victory.  We should not fear their power, let them fear God in us.

Grace for your spirit 3-23-16

Grace for your spirit

Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.  Psalm 42:5

The challenges of life can certainly get us off track and take us down.  When we face obstacles, it is so easy to be disturbed and find ourselves in despair.  What shall we do?  Shall we focus on the despair, or shall we focus on the hope that comes from God.  When we focus on hope, and praise, it generates hope in us.  if we choose to focus on despair, we will continue to be disturbed.  Let's choose to focus on hope, and the hope of praising Him for coming to our aid again. It really works

Grace for your spirit 3-22-16

Grace for your spirit

When she recognized Peter's voice,because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.  The said to her, "You are out of your mind!"  Acts 12:14-15

Peter had been securely locked away in prison.  His brethren gathered together to pray for him.  Through a great miracle he was released, and went to the house where they were praying for him.  A servant girl ran to announce that Peter was at the gate, but they thought she was crazy. Kind of funny isn't it?  When we pray for something, do we expect our prayers to be answered?  Remember, Abide, Believe, Ask, Receive.