Grace for your spirit December 31. 2014

Grace for your spirit

Consecrate  yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.  Joshua 3:5

After 40  years in the wilderness, it was time to cross over Jordan and into the promised land.  Some were worried, some fearful, perhaps some angry.  What they needed was a combination of trust and dedication to the Lord's leading.  That pretty much describes many of us as well.  We sing a hymn about such trust and dedication, called, "I know who holds tomorrow".  The chorus ends with the words, "Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand."  As we look at this near year coming, may we consecrate ourselves, and praise the Lord for the wonders He will do among us.   Happy New Year to you all.

Grace for your spirit December 30, 2013

Grace for your spirit

Now as for you son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me.  Ezekiel 33:7

A young lady almost had a head on collision with a man who was completely out of control coming out of a curve.  As he passed her, he screamed, "PIG".  It really made her mad, and she screamed back at him, "OX". She then turned around just it time to hit the biggest pig she had ever seen stand in the road.  You see, the man wasn't insulting her, he was warning her.  Ezekiel was sent to warn Israel, but most of them took his words as an insult. Today, Christians have the commission to warn the wicked, and the same thing happens. When we are warned about troubles ahead, let's take them seriously.  God may be in that warning.

Grace for your spirit December 27, 2013

Grace for your spirit

For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord,  plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

This is the time of  year that many start thinking about their plans for the new year.  As we plan, do we ever stop and think about what plans God has for us?  Do we ever consider if our plans match up with the plans God might have for us?  God had good plans for the people of Jeremiah's time, but their plans were different.  As a result of their plans, calamity was in their future.  Before we set our plans for tomorrow, may we study, meditate, and pray for God's guidance. When we walk the same path with God, our future will be bright an filled with hope.

Grace for your spirit December 26, 2013

Grace for your spirit

But Ruth said, "Do not  urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.  Ruth 1:16

Things had not always been well for Naomi.  She was forced from her homeland by famine, her husband and two sons died, and left her two foreign daughter-in-laws.  As she prepared to go home to Judah, we discover what she did retain.  Her respect for God was implanted in her daughter-in-law Ruth.  Ruth's respect for Naomi and Naomi's God, made her determined to follow and not turn back.  Their sadness turned to joy when Ruth had a child that would begin the family of King David.  Respect was the bridge to joy.  Let's respect God and those around us.  It will be repaid with joy.

Grace for your spirit December 24, 2013

Grace for your spirit 

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him"

God used the light of fire to lead His people to the promised land. God used the light of the angels to bring the shepherds to the manger. He used a star light to lead the wise men to worship Jesus.  Lights in the sky to bring worshipers to the true light of Jesus. Today, God needs that star of Bethlehem to shine on.  It does shine on in the disciples of Jesus Christ.  Christians are the light of the world.  Our light is meant to shine to bring people to Jesus.  Let's make sure our light is not hidden under a bushel or by a cloud of sin in our lives.  At this season, and every season, may our light appear and lead wandering souls to our Savior.  That way we can all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Grubbs

Grace for your spirit December 23, 2013

Grace for your spirit

And Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?"

A man was going to climb a mountain with everything he owned strapped on his back.  His guide told him that he couldn't make it to the summit, carrying everything.  At some point he would have to make a decision to give up his stuff or give up the summit.  Jesus promised them that if they gave up their stuff, they we reach the summit in the kingdom, and then they would be rewarded with many times as much and eternal life.  The same is true for us.  Whatever we sacrifice to reach the summit with Jesus will be worth it.  At the summit we too will be rewarded with everything, plus eternal life.  Let's make the right decision now.

Grace for your spirit December 20, 2013

Grace for your spirit

For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of My dinner.  Luke 14:24

Jesus invited everyone to a big dinner in His kingdom.  Instead of coming, all He heard was excuses.  Something about possessions, pursuits, and priorities. As a result they missed the dinner.  It didn't matter how good their excuses or reasons, they missed it.  My mother cooked and cleaned for a big family that knew what time dinner was served.  If we came in late, we got the same story every time.  "You can save the excuses, the kitchen is closed."  Whatever our excuse for unfaithfulness, we still miss it.  Dinner is still being served right now.  I hope we run out of excuses before we run out of time.