Grace for your spirit 1-5-17

Grace for your spirit

Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among  you."  Joshua 3:5

Joshua spoke these words to a nation who had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.  As they approached the Jordan River, the prize was in sight.  They were encouraged to put some bounce in their steps and have a new outlook for tomorrow.  That's our challenge at the new year and each day.  Jesus has prepared a reward for us and has paved the way to get there.  Let's quit dragging our feet and get ready for another great day.

Grace for your spirit 1-4-17

Grace for your spirit

And I will bless those who bless you; and the one who curses you I will curse; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.  Genesis 12:3

This was God's message to Abraham.  Abraham's family would become the great Hebrew nation with God's blessing.  It was a great promise, but how could his family cause a blessing to all the families of the earth?.  Through his family Jesus came to the earth.  If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise.  Galatians 3:29.  Let's all be in His family and enjoy it.  It's the key to a really happy new year,

Grace for your spirit 1-3-17

Grace for your spirit

Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened.  I Corinthians 5:7

Paul recognized that in order to have a true revival, two things had to happen.  First, the old influences had to be completely cleaned out in order to make space for the new leaven of Christ.  He called it, putting the old man to death, so the new man could live.  Just piling new on to the old, will make a crowded mess.  It is always best to clean out the closet before the new stuff goes in.  Do we ever do it?   Let's not neglect it here.

Grace for your spirit 1-2-17

Grace for your spirit

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end.  They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.   Lamentations 2:22-23

Often when the new year comes along, we make lists and resolutions for the things we want and need.  Sometimes before the first month is over, they are all gone.  This year, let's move the Lord to the top of our resolution list.  When the Lord is our portion, and the Lord is our hope, it never ceases.  We want new?  His mercies are new every morning and never stop.  Now there is the ideal New Year's resolution.

Grace for your spirit 12-23-16

Grace for your spirit

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign;  Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

This was the sign to Israel, to Joseph, and Mary, and the whole world.  Immanuel literally means God with us.  John says of it, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."  Can we read the sign?  The force of God's will is unstoppable.  Like Mary, let's treasure all these things in our heart.  Wishing  you all a very Merry Christmas.

Grace for your spirit 12-22-16

Grace for your spirit

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.  Isaiah 9:7

Isaiah was called the Messianic prophet.  He told the story of the coming Messiah over 700 years before He appeared. They mistook the government and the kingdom for an earthly event.  The justice and righteousness forevermore would come from Jesus on His throne in heaven, after he achieved it in Jerusalem.  His kingdom really will endure forever.  Let's make sure we are a part of it.

Grace for your spirit 12-21-16

Grace for your spirit

A voice is calling.  Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.  Isaiah 40:3

John the Baptist became that voice the prophets talked about, calling in the wilderness.  His mission was to knock down the obstacles that were in the way of Jesus.  To condition those who were searching for Jesus to get ready.  John the Baptist never told people to look at him, but to look to the one who would follow him.  Jesus, the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world.