Grace for your spirit February 28, 2013

Grace for your spirit

So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded of you, say, "We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done."  Luke 17:10

It is natural for us to think who we are and what we do is very important.  We like to achieve and receive recognition for our achievements.  It is not uncommon for people to believe they can please God and be saved because of good works.  The right view for us to have as servants of God is a slave mentality.  As slaves, we have no rights, only privileges. Our rewards come only from what God has made us in Christ Jesus.  He is our righteousness and our accomplishment.  Let's yield the glory to Him

Grace for your spirit February 27, 2013

Grace for your spirit

But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them house he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had talked to Him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.  Acts 9:27

Barnabas had proven to be a great encouragement to everyone around him.  He led by example and got fully involved.  When Paul was first converted, he needed help.  Barnabas didn't send him, but he took hold of him and brought him with a personal recommendation to the apostles.   Often new people in the church are just like Paul.  The need someone to take hold of them, introduce them, recommend them, and bind them to the body.  Let's' get to know those who are new among us.  We may have found a great Christian worker for the future if they are properly nurtured.  Let''s be an encourager.  Let's be a Barnabas.

Grace for your spirit February 26, 2013

Grace for your spirit

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then fades away.  Instead you  ought to say, "If the Lord wills we will live and also do this or that."  James 4:14-15

If we aren't careful, it is possible for us to think we are in charge of our lives.  We make our plans for today and tomorrow without any regard for the Lord in our lives.  Before we start our day and make our plans, it is  best to check with Him who knows all things.  Do you remember when church people would often say, "Lord willing, I will be with you?"  It would be nice if we knew the Lord's will, and included His name in all our plans.

The one who can make our paths smooth need to be at the beginning of all our plans.

Grace for your spirit February 25, 2013

Grace for your spirit

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

Jesus calls us all to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  He said that all the law and the prophets hang on these two principles.  It also appears that the good we receive from Him come from these principles as well.  We certainly want God to cause all things to work together for good in our lives, but who will receive that good?  Notice, those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.  When we need good things to come into our lives, let's tune up our spiritually lives to be in His love and His purpose

Grace for your spirit February 22, 2013

Grace for your spirit

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is : fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  For God will bring every act to judgment.  Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Philosophers ask the question, Why? They answer the question with "Why not", or "Because".  That is the answer of someone who doesn't know why.  As Christians, we should have a definite answer when someone asks, "why are we here?"  We are here to fear, respect and love God by keeping His commandments.  This is for everyone, but everyone doesn't know it. We were all created in His image to reflect His image, and declare that image to a lost world. The next time someone wants to know why they were born, or what is their purpose, have your answer ready.  Fear God and keep His commandments.  

Grace for your spirit February 21, 2013

Grace for your spirit

I observe that you are very religious in all respects.  For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an alter with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD,    Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.  Acts 17:22-23

False worshipers don't serve the same idols every day..  As we search the panorama of things to worship, we can always find something or somebody to be our source. We usually pick the shiniest thing to be our god.  Religion and superstitions can move us from one god to another. The men of Athens had many such focuses of worship.  Each day they could pick the god they needed today.  We still suffer from the same troubles today.  Anything that comes between us and God is an idol, and there often are so many things. God demands to be first and only.  When we exalt God, and honor Christ, focusing on Him, it will take our eyes off the panorama and onto our Savior.

Gracce for your spirit February 20, 2013

Grace for your spirit

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay.  Acts 13:36

When we walk through a graveyard, we usually see the date of birth and the date of death.  In between there is a short dash. The dash is our life.  What will that dash say about us?  I can imagine that someday people will be able to scan that dash with their phones, and get history our lives.  God has a purpose in life for all of us.  How are we doing in fulfilling that purpose?  I once had a friend who told me on his gravestone there would be no dates, just the simple inscription, "Jesus is the way"  That by life and death, he would magnify the name of Christ.  We will all die some day.  The question is, will we have served our purpose for God?