Grace for your spirit August 29, 2014

Grace for your spirit

Then the Lord said, "You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight.  Jonah 4:10

If there was a another chapter of Jonah, do you think he got bitter or better ?  He already had shown that he loved plants more than people; even more than doing God's will.  Jonah wasn't concerned about 120,000 lost souls, but he really loved that plant.  I'd like to think this comparison got through to him, and he went back to Israel a better man. A prophet ready to help his people.  How about our concerns? Choosing between pets, plants, and people, do people finish a distant third? Let's start changing our preferences to line up with God's priorities.  Jesus 1st, Others 2nd, Yourself last.  That's how to put real J-O-Y in our lives.

Grace for your spirit August 28, 2014

Grace for your spirit

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9

It is not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong;

It is not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich;

It is not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned;

And it is not what we profess but what we practice that make us Christians!  How do we find the way to peace?  Practice, practice, practice.

Grace for your spirit August 27, 2014

Grace for your spirit

For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, "The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him."  Ezra 8:22

Ezra faced a thousand mile journey leading the people back to Israel. Many obstacles would be faced on the trip.  He had a king who was ready willing and able to help them, but first He would ask God to keep His promises.  He went to God first.  God opened the doors and paved the way, and got the glory.  When we walk in the will of God, He promises to open the doors and pave the way for us too.  We should be ashamed to ask the world and the government to bail us out before the have asked God.  Can we trust in Him or will we be ashamed? Let's give Him the glory.

Grace for your spirit August 26, 2014

Grace for your spirit

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.    I Timothy 4:12

In the next few verses God gives us a list of things that will keep us faithful, and keep us being a good example.

1)Give attention to public reading of Scripture, exhorting, and teaching.

2)Do not neglect spiritual gifts we have.

3)Take pains and be absorbed and show your progress to all

4)Pay close attention and persevere.

Do this to ensure salvation for yourself and those who hear you.

When someone wants an example of a believer, may they see it in us

Grace for your spirit August 25, 2014

Grace for your spirit

Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles.  II Chronicles  36:19

When Jerusalem was conquered by Babylon, in one sweep the work of Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, and all the faithful in between were destroyed.   Moses freed them from bondage, Joshua conquered the land, David established a kingdom, and Solomon built the temple. All this was gone due to the unfaithfulness of God's people. Are we destroying or building up the church we have received?  Let's not let the small things become the big things that tear us down.  Let's be faithful in all we do.

Grace for your spirit August 22, 2014

Grace for your spirit

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.   Hebrews 11:16

We don't see much talk about a heavenly home in the Old Testament. It seemed all of their focus on was their earthly promised land. However, those who had great faith in God understood that they were strangers on this earth, and desired a heavenly home where they could be with God.  They knew the heart of God and God prepared a place for all who are near to His heart.  When we begin to understand God, we will take our eyes off our worldly pursuits, and seek the eternal city that He has prepared for us in heaven too.

Grace for your spirit August 21, 2014

Grace for your spirit

The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.  Luke 8:14

The seed pictured in these parables is the Word of God.  When it grows among thorns it can be choked off easily. The thorns are the weeds of worry, riches, and pleasures.  Most of our lives will never be blessed with no weeds.  Most of us will have seeds and weeds.  Our seed is not destined to fail because we have weeds.  We need to recognize our thorn problem and make a special effort to thrive.  Let's not give up because our soil isn't everything we always wanted. Instead, let's have strong resolved to nurture the seed over the weed. God can give us victory, and make us fruitful.