Grace for your spirit
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11
No wonder that Psalm #23 is so loved and remembered. The Lord really is our shepherd. We don't want for anything under His care. Jesus certainly showed us the face of the good shepherd as He walked on this earth. He leads us to green pastures, and guides us to quiet waters, as He provides for our needs, and helps us face the deepest valleys, He never leaves us nor forsakes us. As He compares us to sheep, we realize how helpless we really are without Him. He opens and closes the door to protect us. He comes looking for us when we stray, and He never leaves us in tough times. Because He did lay down His life for His sheep, all His sheep can live eternally by His side. Jesus showed Himself as the Great I AM. The everlasting God, who has the power to complete all He has promised. Praise the Lord for such a great shepherd.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Grace for your spirit. April 30, 2012
Grace for your spirit
Jesus said to her, " I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies. and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26
Jesus made this statement in the home of Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus had just died, and they were very upset that Jesus had not been there to help him when he needed Him the most. They repeatedly told Jesus that if He had been there it wouldn't have happened. Jesus was trying to give them the long view of eternity life. He was trying to remind them that what happens today is not forever. Many of us have stood by the grave of a loved one and asked, "Where were you Jesus when we needed you the most?" It is then we need to remember that the separation from this life most certainly is not the end of life. When we are born again, we are born never to be separated from Him again. This is the comfort we have as Christians, and the comfort we have to give. Let's give it.
Jesus said to her, " I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies. and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26
Jesus made this statement in the home of Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus had just died, and they were very upset that Jesus had not been there to help him when he needed Him the most. They repeatedly told Jesus that if He had been there it wouldn't have happened. Jesus was trying to give them the long view of eternity life. He was trying to remind them that what happens today is not forever. Many of us have stood by the grave of a loved one and asked, "Where were you Jesus when we needed you the most?" It is then we need to remember that the separation from this life most certainly is not the end of life. When we are born again, we are born never to be separated from Him again. This is the comfort we have as Christians, and the comfort we have to give. Let's give it.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Grace for your spirit. April 27, 2012
Grace for your spirit
And there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks Ephesians 5:4
Jesus told those who were worried about being defiled by what they ate, to consider something more important. What comes out of the mouth is what defiles a man. It shows what is in our hearts and minds. It is one thing to tell everyone that we are a new man in Christ, and another to live in such a way to prove it. Many proclaim their faithfulness, and then arise to abuse and assault others with course words. When we a new creation in Christ, as new citizens of His kingdom, we will have a new conversation. New man, new heart, new mind, new mouth. May we use our words for praise and the giving of thanks as we should.
And there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks Ephesians 5:4
Jesus told those who were worried about being defiled by what they ate, to consider something more important. What comes out of the mouth is what defiles a man. It shows what is in our hearts and minds. It is one thing to tell everyone that we are a new man in Christ, and another to live in such a way to prove it. Many proclaim their faithfulness, and then arise to abuse and assault others with course words. When we a new creation in Christ, as new citizens of His kingdom, we will have a new conversation. New man, new heart, new mind, new mouth. May we use our words for praise and the giving of thanks as we should.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Grace for your spirit. April 26, 2012
Grace for your spirit
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing II Corinthians 2:14-16
As we journey through life, we all have some kind of aroma. The powder of victory, or the agony of de-feet. It is good to hear that we smell nice, and a little embarrassing to be reminded that we stink. When we are cleansed by the power of the Holy Spirit, our fragrance should be the knowledge of Him in our lives. To those who are being saved, that aroma should be a sweet fragrance. As we make our journey through life, may we be able to hear the compliments that we really smell nice today, and to be affirmed that we smell like victory in Jesus
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing II Corinthians 2:14-16
As we journey through life, we all have some kind of aroma. The powder of victory, or the agony of de-feet. It is good to hear that we smell nice, and a little embarrassing to be reminded that we stink. When we are cleansed by the power of the Holy Spirit, our fragrance should be the knowledge of Him in our lives. To those who are being saved, that aroma should be a sweet fragrance. As we make our journey through life, may we be able to hear the compliments that we really smell nice today, and to be affirmed that we smell like victory in Jesus
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Grace for your spirit. April 25, 2012
Grace for your spirit
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints Ephesians 5:3
It is so easy to be desensitized about sin in this dark world we live in. First, we watch TV and movies filled with immorality. Next we find ourselves talking with people who are involved in impure relationships. Before we know it, we are keeping fellowship with immoral people and identifying with them. From there we are one step away from crossing the line into immoral impure activities. We need to once again take Barney Fife's advise. We need to "nip it in the bud." Let's not let such activities to be named among us. We need to take a strong stand, so we will not slip into this sin ourselves. If we don't stand for something, we will fall for anything. Let's stand firm.
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints Ephesians 5:3
It is so easy to be desensitized about sin in this dark world we live in. First, we watch TV and movies filled with immorality. Next we find ourselves talking with people who are involved in impure relationships. Before we know it, we are keeping fellowship with immoral people and identifying with them. From there we are one step away from crossing the line into immoral impure activities. We need to once again take Barney Fife's advise. We need to "nip it in the bud." Let's not let such activities to be named among us. We need to take a strong stand, so we will not slip into this sin ourselves. If we don't stand for something, we will fall for anything. Let's stand firm.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Grace for your spirit. April 24, 2012
Grace for your spirit
So Jesus said to them, "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. Jn 12:35
When we are out walking in unfamiliar territory, it is best to be back before dark. There are many dangers of walking in darkness, including injury and getting lost. It is foolish to get in such a place without a light. Jesus was always trying to get His followers to walk in the light. Often they didn't realize that He was the true light, and if they didn't stay close to Him darkness would overtake them quickly. The same is true today for us. When we have been lost and wandering in the woods, it is great to see the lights of home on the horizon. Let's head for the light, stay in the light, and not wander off again.
So Jesus said to them, "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. Jn 12:35
When we are out walking in unfamiliar territory, it is best to be back before dark. There are many dangers of walking in darkness, including injury and getting lost. It is foolish to get in such a place without a light. Jesus was always trying to get His followers to walk in the light. Often they didn't realize that He was the true light, and if they didn't stay close to Him darkness would overtake them quickly. The same is true today for us. When we have been lost and wandering in the woods, it is great to see the lights of home on the horizon. Let's head for the light, stay in the light, and not wander off again.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Grace for your spirit. April 23, 2012
Grace for your spirit
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20
A little boy whittled a boat, sanded it, painted it, put a sail on it, and went to play with it at the lake. A sudden burst of wind took it out of his reach and out of sight. Sometime later, he saw his boat in the window of the local toy store. Somebody had found the boat and sold it to the store. The little boy went home, raided his piggy bank, and bought the boat from the store. As he walked down the street hugging his boat, he exclaimed, "I made this boat, I lost this boat, and now I've bought it back. This is really my boat". It is a picture of our relationship with Christ. He made us, we got away from him, and He bought us back with His precious blood. We have been bought with such a price, and we belong to Him. May we learn to glorify God in all our actions. Let's allow Him in own us and dwell in our bodies every day.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20
A little boy whittled a boat, sanded it, painted it, put a sail on it, and went to play with it at the lake. A sudden burst of wind took it out of his reach and out of sight. Sometime later, he saw his boat in the window of the local toy store. Somebody had found the boat and sold it to the store. The little boy went home, raided his piggy bank, and bought the boat from the store. As he walked down the street hugging his boat, he exclaimed, "I made this boat, I lost this boat, and now I've bought it back. This is really my boat". It is a picture of our relationship with Christ. He made us, we got away from him, and He bought us back with His precious blood. We have been bought with such a price, and we belong to Him. May we learn to glorify God in all our actions. Let's allow Him in own us and dwell in our bodies every day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
