Grace for your spirit July 1, 2013

Grace for your spirit

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered....Therefore those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.   Acts 8:1+4

In the modern day corporate church, it seems we leave the evangelism to the professionals.  The members stay home, while the "hired help" works to reach the lost and build the church.  We ascribe success and failure to them.  The first church in Jerusalem was just the opposite.  The apostles stayed home, while the persecuted members went everywhere preaching the word.  As it turns out, the responsibility to spread the good news falls to every disciple,.  Perhaps if we were persecuted a little more and felt the need for the sanctuary of the body, we would all be better equipped to face the challenges ahead.  As it turns out in the great commission Go Ye, really does mean Go Me.  God Ye, does not mean Go Them.  Go with the rhyme !

grace for your spirit June 28, 2013

Grace for your spirit

The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.'  So he divided his wealth between them.  Luke 15;12

This well known parable of the prodigal son has many applications to us.  The younger of these two brothers would have been entitled to his share of the inheritance when his father died. There would have also been some responsibility connected to that inheritance.  He just wanted  his inheritance now without any consequences.  In so many words, he was saying to his father, "I wish you were dead."  His poor attitude followed him right into the pig pin.  Let's be careful of our selfish attitudes and how we treat others.  We can be sure our sins will follow us until we truly repent.  When he did, he found his way home.  Will we?

Grace for your spirit June 27, 2013

Grace for your spirit

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another just as you also are doing.  I Thessalonians 5:11

Encouragement is not a passive activity.  If you read the next 11 verses here, we see it is very proactive.  Actions like, build up, appreciate, esteem, admonish, encourage, help, rejoice, pray, learn, examine, and hold fast.  These are the actions that help us to grow, and help others to excel.  Let's plan ahead of time, and be ready to make a positive difference wherever we go.   Maybe someone will call you Barnabas someday too.

Grace for your spirit June 26, 2013

Grace for your spirit

Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved  Teach and preach these principles.  ITimothy 6:2

The first century church was often a blend of slaves and masters.  It was a strong testimony of Christian transformation that allowed them to work together with mutual love and respect.  It would be an extremely poor testimony that one would dishonor their position by taking advantage of a brother.  In our world today, we can apply the same principle to our bosses and employees. The Christian worker should be the best choice any company could make.  Whatever out, let make the Lord proud of us. 

Grace for your spirit June 25, 2013

Grace for your spirit

Draw near to God and He will  draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  James 4:8

Last winter was a particularly difficult flu season for many. After multiple flu attacks, people started taking special measures.  They started eating better to build up their natural immunity. Next, they took special care to wash their hands to keep from picking up the germs.  Strong immunity and clean hands certainly helped.  Compare that to turning back the sin epidemic.  We build up the influence of Jesus in our lives, and cleanse our hands of the sinful nature, God will help us to be free from sin and death.

Grace for your spirit June 24, 2013

Grace for your spirit

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself   through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.  II Corinthians 5:18

God has given us everything that we might accomplish two things in our lives.  He wants us to be reconciled to Him forever, and He wants us to be share our lives with others so they can be reconciled to Him too.  Our vertical responsibility is to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.  Our horizontal responsibility is to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Completing that circle of love is the completion of our reconciliation.  When completed we will all be one with God as He desires.  We are called to be His ambassadors.  This is our calling from Him, and our calling for Him.  Let's go.

Grace for your spirit June 20, 2013

Grace for your spirit

And while He was still speaking, they came to the house of the synagogue official saying, "Your daughter has died;  Why trouble the teacher anymore?" But Jesus overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official. "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.  Mark 5:35-36

Jairus was a man with troubles.  He was filled with worry, fear, and anger.  His daughter was at death's door.  But now Jesus was on the way to make it all right.  Now he was filled with faith, hope, and love, but only for a moment.  The news that he was too late sank his hopes again.  Jesus took that worry, fear, and anger that had returned and made things right again.  "Only believe."  Many times we will find ourselves on a roller coaster  of worry, fear, and anger.  Let's remember that with Jesus, they can be replaced anytime with faith, hope, and love, when we believe.  Believe.