Grace for your spirit 7-24-18

Grace for your spirit

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  James 1:17

There are so many misconceptions about God.  Many think He is only watching to punish us for wrong.  When we get to know God, we learn that he loves us, cares for us, and that all good things in our life come from Him.  How thankful we can be that He is good all the time and never changes.  In Him we live, and move, and have our being.  Let's never blame God for anything, but rather appeal to Him for the blessing we need.

Grace for your spirit 7-23-18

Grace for your spirit

Then some of the children were brought to Him so that he might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.  Jesus said "Let the children alone and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.  Matthew 19:13-14

Apparently the disciples saw no need for children.  They had no value to them and only got in the way of their pursuits.  Could it have been that the disciples felt this way about all kinds of people?  The children were a object lesson for them.  Never pass over people who you don't think bring value to the kingdom and the church.  All souls have value and the gospel is for all. 

Grace for your spirit 7-18-18

Grace for your spirit

And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  II Chronicles 7:14

Right after Solomon's temple was dedicated, God spoke of the promises and warnings that would come their way.  If His people followed His conditions, they would be blessed.  If they didn't they would feel the punishment of the Lord.  The same is true today. IF is the heart of life.  L IF E.  Let's all humble ourselves to obedience and blessings.

Grace for your spirit 7-17-18

Grace for your spirit

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?  And who may stand in His Holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart.    Psalm 24:3-4

Jerusalem and the temple were on the highest hill in Israel.  There were several cleansing rituals for them to reach the temple with clean hands.  Unfortunately, there were no cleansing stations for the heart.  Too often their relationships with the Father left them without pure hearts.  May we remember as we approach worship, it is not our "Sunday-go-meeting" clothes, but pure hearts that open the doors to the heart of God.  Jesus said it this way, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Grace for your spirit 7=16=18

Grace for your spirit

David was playing the harp with his hand.  Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, so that he stuck the spear into the wall.  And David fled and escaped that night.     I Samuel 19:9-10

David played his harp for King Saul to sooth him and keep him from suffering greatly.  Eventually Saul's anger turned to David, and while David tried to comfort him, Saul tried to kill David.  When an evil spirit gets hold of anyone, it is difficult for it to be controlled.  We can even turn on those who want to help us the most.  Let's fill ourselves with the Spirit of God and make no room for any evil spirit to control us.  Everyone around us will be grateful.

Grace for your spirit 7-13-18

Grace for your spirit

For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:20

Years ago, an elder told our congregation that this was the scariest verse in the Bible to him.  He was frightened about the challenge of surpassing the righteousness of the Pharisees.  In fact, they were not righteous, they only thought they were righteous.  Fact two, when we become Christians, the righteousness of God in Christ clothes us in His righteousness.  Walking with Christ, we exceed their righteousness the first day and every day.  Thank God for the great gift we don't have to earn.

Grace for your spirit 7-12-18

Grace for your spirit

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  Matthew 5:9

When the angels came to proclaim the coming of Jesus, they proclaimed glory to God, and peace among men with whom He is pleased.  Our peace with God is based on our relationship with Him.  It came to us through His Son, and now we have the opportunity to spread that peace to our world.  Go and be blessed, O sons of God.