Grace for your spirit 9-12-17

Grace for your spirit

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.  Ephesians 2:13-14

In the Old Covenant with God, the good news was for the Jews.  There was a rule of law that set a wall between them and everyone else. Jesus came to tear down that wall and make God's blessings available to everyone.  The segregation between Jews and Gentiles is dissolved by the blood of Jesus.  As the song says, "there is room at the cross for you."  Enjoy the peace.

Grace for your spirit 9-11-17

Grace for your spirit

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.  John 13:35

Where were you on 9/11?  Most people remember where they were 16 years ago today when they first heard news of the attack on America.  It plunged us into war that continues to this day.  Many still have hatred and revenge in their hearts because of who they lost on that day. Hatred and revenge usually changes no one but us.  Only the love of Jesus can really turn the world. Words from a song say, "If coal can turn to diamonds, if sand can turn to pearls, if a worm can turn to butterflies, then love can turn the world."  Where will we be when we start loving our enemies, and will we remember it as well? 

Grace for your spirit 9-8-17

Grace for your spirit

What we have seen and heard we proclaim to  you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.   I John 1:3

The apostles heard and saw the majesty of Christ. They wrote it down so that by faith, we also can behold His majesty.  We share that joint fellowship with them, and in turn the fellowship they had with our Father and Jesus.  Now we have a fellowship to proclaim to our world.  That fellowship is certainly a message of good news.

Grace for your spirit 9-7-17

Grace for your spirit

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy. Jude 24

The older we get, the more concerned we will get about stumbling and falling.  We start to realize our next fall could be our last fall.  For that reason, we need to be careful how we walk and where we step.  The same is true in our spiritual walk.  Falling is so easy, but God is able to keep us from stumbling, plus strengthen us to stand firm against the things that might knock us over.  Thank you Lord for being able.

Grace for your spirit 9--6-17

Grace for your spirit

Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of God will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.  John 6:27

Everyone needs to do something to "make a living."  All of those rewards we receive will be used up or perish.  Jesus is challenging us to work for the things that endure to eternal life.  God has promised us that the blessings we receive in His service will endure forever.  Our work for the Lord makes an "eternal living" for us all.

Grace for your spirit 9-5-17

Grace for your spirit

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Ephesians 4:30

The Spirit of God He left for us is a down payment on all the blessings that will come.  Jesus not only gave us His blood to redeem us, but He gave us a spark of Deity to seal us.  It is His pledge and our assurance that he is coming back again.  When we walk in disobedience it grieves God and the Spirit that should be guiding us.  Let's take care not to do that.

Grace for your spirit 9-1-17

Grace for your spirit

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything,  you may have an abundance of every good deed.  II Corinthians 9:8

God is able.  Yes, God is able.  In all our challenges in life these are three words we need to keep first in our mind.  When we sin and fall short, His grace is able.  When we are down to our last nickel, His grace is able to supply.  When we are filled with despair, His grace can lift us out of the deepest pit.  As the song goes, He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today.