Grace for your spirit 5-9-17

Grace for your spirit

Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.   Ecclesiastes 11:5

The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, "If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;"    Job thought he had learned alot through his sufferings until he compared his knowledge to the insight of God.  Let's never get "too big for our britches."  We may know a little about certain things, but God is the true sources of all wisdom and knowledge.  When we fear Him, that is the beginning of our true learning.

Grace for your spirit 5-8-17

Grace for your spirit

If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. Philemon 17

The Apostle Paul had written this letter to Philemon with regard to his runaway slave, Onesimus.  Onesimus, now a Christian, was going back for reconciliation with his former master.  Paul appealed to Philemon to respond as a Christian brother, not an angry boss.  Paul appealed to him as fellow partners with Jesus, as fellow workers in the church, and as fellow recipients of God's grace.  Those are the kind of partnerships we should and must develop with others.  We will all be better off when we do.  

Grace for your spirit 5-5-17

Grace for your spirit

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.  Proverbs 13:20

Our lives are a journey among the wise and the foolish.  The associations we select, and the paths we walk will shape our lives whether we think they will or not.  Companionship with fools may seem like fun, but in the long run they are harmful.  A walk with the wise may take more energy, however the reward and benefits are great.

Grace for your spirit 5-4-17

Grace for your spirit

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all the things will be added to you.   Matthew 6:33

What are we worrying about today?  Is it, what will we eat, what will we drink, what will we wear, and where will I shop to get those things?  Is seeking God's kingdom, and the righteousness that comes from Him anywhere on our lists?  Our lists certainly should be different from those who don't God.  Is it?  We need to know that when we put God first, all the things others worry about will come our way too.

Grace for your spirit 5-3-17

Grace for your spirit

O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to  Your name;  For You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.  Isaiah 25:1

We give thanks and exalt God when we walk by faith and not by sight. When we look at our circumstances, when they seem overwhelming, when there is no help in sight, and we give thanks for what He is going to do,  that is faith.  It is our faith that lets us know, He can change us and our circumstances, and make us whole again.  Can we start thanking Him before our answers come?  Yes we can.  Yes we must.

Grace for your spirit 5-2-17

Grace for your spirit

The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged.  II Timothy 2:24

In this world full of hard heads, how can we overcome the obstacles, helping people find repentance, come to the knowledge of the truth, and escape the snare of the devil ? Is the key to unlocking those doors having a harder head that theirs ?  No, but rather it is with our preparation and our attitude.  When we trade our quarrels for kindness, and our "knee jerk" attitudes for patience, we will be able to teach and lead with joy

Grace for your spirit 5-1-17

Grace for your spirit

Then Peter said to Him, "Behold we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?"  Matthew 11:27

Jesus immediately told them they would receive many times more than they ever left behind.  Authority, lands, family, and best of all, eternal life. They would be lifted from last to first.  The blessings of being a follower of Christ seemed be coming slowly.  Could there have been doubt in their minds?  Is there some doubt in our minds as we struggle through life as a disciple?   Let's review God's record of keeping His promises.  He always comes through and let's be assured He will be there for us as well.