Grace for your spirit 1-10-18

Grace for your spirit

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.   Ephesians 1:18

Many people accept the salvation in Christ Jesus but never see the riches of their relationship with Him.  When we see Him as Lord of our life, a whole new world can be ours.  We can see it in the eyes of others when they really understand what we are telling them.  The eyes focus and brighten.  Our prayer should be that everyone's eyes will focus and brighten in understanding all of God's will for their lives.  Do we have bright and focused eyes yet ?

Grace for your spirit 1-9-18

Grace for your spirit

Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.  Isaiah 59:1-2

God's purposes never change, and He never lies.  Our purposes often change and we sometimes lie.  When God cannot reach us, it is because we have moved.  We need to repent and move back to where He can hear and reach us.  An old married couple were recalling the way they used to sit in the car.  When first married, they sat close together, and now they were as far apart in the seat as they could get.  Who moved and when?  Somebody did.  Are we willing to scoot back together?  We'll see.

Grace for your spirit 1-8-17

Grace for your spirit

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.  Hebrews 10:24

I fellow told me the other day that his church was in his basement with his television.  As usual, he claimed he could be just as good a Christian at home alone.  I encouraged him to count the number of times in the Bible where you can see the words, "Let us".  The church is not only meant to be a gathering assembly, but the word church actually means just that.  As we worship the Lord, we should be involved in both give and take.  Let us get together for forsake it not.

Grace for your spirit 1-5-18

Grace for your spirit

Elders are gone from the gate, young men from their music.  The joy of our hearts have ceased; Our dancing has been turned into mourning.  Lamentations 5:14-15

In Biblical times, elders at the gates of the city was a sign of authority and order.  It allowed people to enjoy themselves and live a joyful life.  With the destruction of Jerusalem, and the captives taken away to Babylon, all of these things had stopped.  No rule, no music, no joy, no dancing, only mourning.  This weeping prophet was mourning the loss.  He hoped in God for comfort and a day of restoration.  Their sins had caught up with them.  Now he was hoping repentance would come to them.  As the song says, "Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen." 

Grace for your spirit 1-4-18

Grace for your spirit

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.  I John 5:3

What is the test for our love of God?  When we love God as we should, we also love children who are born of God, and we keep His commandments.  Those commandments are not a burden because we have overcome the world through faith.  Yes, faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Love God, love His children, love His commands.  It is all three or none at all.

Grace for your spirit 1-3-18

Grace for your spirit

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.   Ephesians 2:14

Before Jesus came, there was a wall between the Jews and Gentiles.  It kept the two groups separate and divided from God.  Jesus died to tear down all the walls and bring salvation to everyone.  Years ago, many business would "red line" their community.  Inside those red lines on the map were people they didn't wish in their business.  They were automatically excluded.  There is no place for such thinking in His church.  Let's be thankful that we are an "open range" fellowship, open and welcome to all. Let's not let anyone fence us in.  The gospel is for all.

Grace for your spirit 1-2-18

Grace for your spirit

I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2

We have a song that says, "I am resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world's delight.  Things that are higher, things that are nobler, these have allured my sight."  As we look ahead to the new year, and make our resolutions, could we look above the things of the world, and look to the Lord ?  When a faithful walk with the Lord is in our sights, He will allow all the good things we need to come to us as well.  See Him first.