Grace for your spirit
On the contrary, who are you O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? Romans 9:20-21
The song "Have Thine own way Lord, have Thine own way. Thou art the potter, I am the clay." is a principle found in both the Old Testament and the New about letting God's hand control our lives. If you have every seen the skilled hands of a potter working with a lump of clay, the transformation is amazing. They stick their hands into the clay spinning on a wheel, and before you know it, you have a beautiful creation. It is a skill that most of us don't have. Watching it reminds us that we are but clay, the dust of the earth. Then God puts His hand on us and creates a vessel that He can use in His own way. If we are not the vessel we think we deserve to be, that is not for us to say. We are created to serve, not give back talk. Let's commit to being a useful pot, even if we are "cracked pots" from time to time. Our open mouth creates a giant hole that limits the use of our pot considerably. Let's keep it shut.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Grace for your spirit. February 29, 2012
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, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
In the mind of the unbeliever, everything is God's fault. Why doesn't God help us? Why doesn't He answer our prayers? The last time I needed Him, He left me flat. What's wrong with Him? This is a direct failure of not knowing God, not knowing His Word, and not understanding His will for everyone. He is able to save, and He is able to hear, but when we separate ourselves from Him, expecting Him to "bless our mess", He will not respond. God never ever moved. It is us who are always moving. Like the old married couple riding in the car. She said to him, "remember when we were young, and sat so close together riding down the road? Now, we are so far apart, what happened? The husband looked at the steering wheel and replied. "Well, I'm still in the same place, what about you? Yes, what about us? His arms are reaching out and is ears are listening. It is time for us to step up and speak up
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, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
In the mind of the unbeliever, everything is God's fault. Why doesn't God help us? Why doesn't He answer our prayers? The last time I needed Him, He left me flat. What's wrong with Him? This is a direct failure of not knowing God, not knowing His Word, and not understanding His will for everyone. He is able to save, and He is able to hear, but when we separate ourselves from Him, expecting Him to "bless our mess", He will not respond. God never ever moved. It is us who are always moving. Like the old married couple riding in the car. She said to him, "remember when we were young, and sat so close together riding down the road? Now, we are so far apart, what happened? The husband looked at the steering wheel and replied. "Well, I'm still in the same place, what about you? Yes, what about us? His arms are reaching out and is ears are listening. It is time for us to step up and speak up
Monday, February 27, 2012
Grace for your spirit. February 28, 2012
Grace for your spirit
Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house, and it fell and great was its fall. Matthew 7:26-27
Remember the song, "On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand." I remember those jungle movies I saw as a kid. How scary it was to see someone stuck and sinking in the quicksand. Their only hope was to find someone to pull them out, and put them on solid ground. Their own struggle and effort only caused them to sink in deeper and deeper. Their only salvation came from the mercy of one outside the quicksand.. The words of Jesus in this "Sermon on the Mount", was the solid rock of truth. Those who rejected it would be building their lives on sand. When the rains, floods, and winds, would come, that house would fall. Those who would listen and build their house on the words of Jesus, would be like building a house on a rock. That is a house that will stand firm, and not go "splat". If we find our lives in a sinkhole, let's allow Jesus pull us out, and rebuild on the solid rock before it is too late. It is not enough to just be amazed at the words of Jesus. We need to build our lives on them too.
Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house, and it fell and great was its fall. Matthew 7:26-27
Remember the song, "On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand." I remember those jungle movies I saw as a kid. How scary it was to see someone stuck and sinking in the quicksand. Their only hope was to find someone to pull them out, and put them on solid ground. Their own struggle and effort only caused them to sink in deeper and deeper. Their only salvation came from the mercy of one outside the quicksand.. The words of Jesus in this "Sermon on the Mount", was the solid rock of truth. Those who rejected it would be building their lives on sand. When the rains, floods, and winds, would come, that house would fall. Those who would listen and build their house on the words of Jesus, would be like building a house on a rock. That is a house that will stand firm, and not go "splat". If we find our lives in a sinkhole, let's allow Jesus pull us out, and rebuild on the solid rock before it is too late. It is not enough to just be amazed at the words of Jesus. We need to build our lives on them too.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Grace for your spirit. February 27, 2012
Grace for your spirit
Adulteresses, do you not know that friend of the world is enemy of God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God James 4:4
If someone insisted that we were enemies of God, we would probably object. We don't wish to be identified as enemies of God, but in fact many leave His camp to join the enemy. When we become a friend of the world, we create a division between us and God. The lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, can drag us away from Him. How can we get back to being a friend of God? Jesus did the work for us when He died on the cross for our sins. The cross literally built a bridge over the chasm that separates us. Romans five should be a great comfort to us trying to get out of the enemy camp. It tells us that Christ died for us while we were yet enemies, so we could be reconciled to God. When reconciled, we can glorify God since we are saved by the life and death of Christ. We all sin and become enemies eventually. Let's be thankful Jesus already paved the road back in advance. Let's take that road with boldness and joy.
Adulteresses, do you not know that friend of the world is enemy of God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God James 4:4
If someone insisted that we were enemies of God, we would probably object. We don't wish to be identified as enemies of God, but in fact many leave His camp to join the enemy. When we become a friend of the world, we create a division between us and God. The lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, can drag us away from Him. How can we get back to being a friend of God? Jesus did the work for us when He died on the cross for our sins. The cross literally built a bridge over the chasm that separates us. Romans five should be a great comfort to us trying to get out of the enemy camp. It tells us that Christ died for us while we were yet enemies, so we could be reconciled to God. When reconciled, we can glorify God since we are saved by the life and death of Christ. We all sin and become enemies eventually. Let's be thankful Jesus already paved the road back in advance. Let's take that road with boldness and joy.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Grace for your spirit. February 24, 2012
Grace for your spirit
The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going becaue the darkness has blinded his eyes. I John 2:10-11
We can say we are walking in the light, but how we feel about our brother is the proof. It is obvious to everyone, although sometimes not obvious to us. We might say we can walk in the darkness and be fine, but we are not telling the truth. Eventually we will stumble and stub our toe on something. Jesus said all laws hang on two. Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself. Why would we want to sidestep that truth, so we could hate someone and feel good about it? If we would, we are living in rebellion. Let's make every effort to line up with the Lord to obey, rather than try to figure out a way to get around His truth. Love your brother and walk in the light. That is the sure path to long term happiness. Light and love. You can't have one without the other
The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going becaue the darkness has blinded his eyes. I John 2:10-11
We can say we are walking in the light, but how we feel about our brother is the proof. It is obvious to everyone, although sometimes not obvious to us. We might say we can walk in the darkness and be fine, but we are not telling the truth. Eventually we will stumble and stub our toe on something. Jesus said all laws hang on two. Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself. Why would we want to sidestep that truth, so we could hate someone and feel good about it? If we would, we are living in rebellion. Let's make every effort to line up with the Lord to obey, rather than try to figure out a way to get around His truth. Love your brother and walk in the light. That is the sure path to long term happiness. Light and love. You can't have one without the other
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Grace for your spirit. February 23, 2012
Grace for your spirit
And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29
Take a ride down the highways and behold the beauty of the flowers growing along the road. Many people wear themselves out trying to have a pretty flower garden, and don't do as well as those flowers that grow wild. If God cares for flowers,, why would we think that He would leave us on our own? When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything we really need will be supplied to us. When we believe God will take care of what we wear, and eat, our minds are free to serve Him and help others. Let's step off the worldly treadmill and walk with Jesus
And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29
Take a ride down the highways and behold the beauty of the flowers growing along the road. Many people wear themselves out trying to have a pretty flower garden, and don't do as well as those flowers that grow wild. If God cares for flowers,, why would we think that He would leave us on our own? When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything we really need will be supplied to us. When we believe God will take care of what we wear, and eat, our minds are free to serve Him and help others. Let's step off the worldly treadmill and walk with Jesus
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Grace for your spirit. February 22, 2012
Grace for your spirit
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel." which translated means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23 The Word made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory as the only begotten of the Father Jn 1:14
As the song goes, "Heaven came down and glory filled my soul." Christianity is about God reaching down and touching us. Religion is about us trying to reach up and touch God. As Paul told the Athenians, "You are very religious, superstitious, and ignorant. This time of year I get questions about Ash Wednesday and Lent. Ash Wednesday is religion. A day of transition from revelry to holiness. Lent is a forty day sacrifice to prepare for Easter. It is all religion and mocks the principle of living a holy life, honoring God every day. May we suggest being in Christ, walking after the Spirit, and leave the religion to hypocrites. Come out of the darkness and into the light.
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel." which translated means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23 The Word made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory as the only begotten of the Father Jn 1:14
As the song goes, "Heaven came down and glory filled my soul." Christianity is about God reaching down and touching us. Religion is about us trying to reach up and touch God. As Paul told the Athenians, "You are very religious, superstitious, and ignorant. This time of year I get questions about Ash Wednesday and Lent. Ash Wednesday is religion. A day of transition from revelry to holiness. Lent is a forty day sacrifice to prepare for Easter. It is all religion and mocks the principle of living a holy life, honoring God every day. May we suggest being in Christ, walking after the Spirit, and leave the religion to hypocrites. Come out of the darkness and into the light.
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