Grace for your spirit 4-11-17

Grace for your spirit

For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.  II Thessalonians  5:2

"O was that today?"  We often hear this from people who never remember where they were supposed to be, but none of us will miss the day of the Lord.  Revelation states, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him". The time of His second coming is a mystery, but the event is clearly seen in Scripture.  Let's be ready every day. so we will to be ready all the time.  Let's keep the surprises to a minimum. so we won't have to say someday, "Uh-oh, was that today?"

Grace for your spirit 4-10-17

Grace for your spirit

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  I Timothy 6:17

Can the love of money be the root of all sorts of evil ?  Oh yes.  When one fixes all their hopes on it, and becomes conceited because of it, when it is gone the fall can be painful.  It is better that we are generous and lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven.  Riches can fail, but the righteousness of God never fails.  Everything belongs to God anyway. Let's thank Him for letting us use it.

Grace for your spirit 4-7-17

Grace for your spirit

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glory  your Father who is in heaven.  

Matthew 5:16

"Brighten the corner where you are" is a song about being satisfied and doing our best no matter where we are, like it or not.   The song goes on to say that we shouldn't wait for some great talent, or some great event, just do what we can.  Why?  "Someone far from harbor "you" may guide across the bar."  We not only help ourselves, but others in trouble too. Much like another gospel song;  "Let the lower lights be burning."

Grace for your spirit 4-6-17

Grace for your spirit

For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.

A kindred spirit comes from someone who is related, like minded, and cares for others more than themselves. Note the root of the word is kind.  Paul and Timothy were brothers in Christ, father and son in the spirit, and kindred spirits.  They were someone everyone could look to for help.  Do we have a kindred spirit?  A spirit of giving and caring ? Let's pray that we will find one and be one.

Grace for your spirit 4-5-17

Grace for your spirit

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.   

I Timothy 6:17

There is a tendency for us to think that God is always talking about somebody else.  We are indeed the rich of this world.  When we start to love our riches, fix our hope on our riches, and not use the resources God has blessed us with, riches will take us down.  In the story of Silas Marner, the one who stole the gold fell into a gravel pit.  Refusing to let go of the gold, he drowned in the water.  When we love riches, and place our hope on them, it will take us down too.  Trust in the Lord.  He will lift us up.

Grace for your spirit 4-4-17

Grace for your spirit

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.  Proverbs 12:15

Have you ever enjoyed being around a "know it all" ?  They often think they they know everything, think they're right all the time, and don't take any advice from anyone.  The Bible calls this person a fool.  When God calls us a fool, we really are one.  Let's be wise, look wise, and make wise decisions.  If we can humble ourselves, ask for help, and take good advice, it is a wise choice. 

Grace for your spirit 4-3-17

Grace for your spirit

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.   Deuteronomy 18:15

Moses was the prophet of the Old Covenant, the Law giver and deliverer.  He knew full well that he was only a shadow of the real thing that would come.  Jesus became the redeemer and deliverer under the New Covenant of God.  One of the most confusing and misunderstood teachings in the Bible is the difference between the Old and New.  A close examination will reveal that all of the Old Prophets direct us to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.