Grace for your spirit September 30, 2014

Grace for your spirit

My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, not faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines.  Hebrew 12:5-6

Discipline from the Lord is a sign from Him of love and caring.  His correction comes from love and in the long run it is best for all of us. As we grow up in Christ, His discipline is necessary.  It may not seem joyful at the moment, but if we accept it, learn from it, and don't faint. it will pay off.  Our Father really does know best.

Grace for your spirit September 29, 2014

Grace for your spirit

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15

I heard a southern gospel song today that spoke to me.  The lyrics were, "Your walk talks, and  your talk talks,  but your walk talks louder than your talk talks."  In other words, I can't hear what your saying because of the way you live. Before we can teach the world to live godly lives, we need to be living it ourselves.  Let's  be very careful.

Grace for your spirit September 26, 2014

Grace for your spirit

According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  Philippians 1:20

Earnest expectation and hope is much more than just a "pipe dream." Paul's plan was to exalt Christ in life and even after his death.  Did it work for him?  Yes.  His writings and the results of his conversions still live on 2000 years later.  When we dedicate ourselves to exalting Him in our lives, our influence can and will live on in the lives of others too.  As Elisha's bones brought the dead man to life, our spirit and our words can give life long after we are gone.  Our forever plan needs to start now.

Grace for your spirit September 25, 2014

Grace for your spirit

And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.  It is better to go into house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living take it to heart.  Ecclesiastes 7:1-2

This is just exactly the opposite of what the world would think.  To the believer, the day we are born there are many uncertainties about the life before us, but the day we die we have the assurance of where we are going and the blessing that will come.  We will never learn these things while we are feasting.  Mourning brings room for insights of the things that are really,important.  Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn." and that is what He meant.

Grace for your spirit September 24, 2014

Grace for your spirit

As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band, and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha.  And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.  II Kings 13:21

God anointed His prophets with power so the people would see the power of God.  Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit when Elijah went to heaven in a chariot of fire, l and I guess he got it.  This miracle was a reminder to all that the Spirit of God lived on.   May it be a reminder to us that the Holy Spirit lives on today.  The empty grave of Jesus is our grace.  Let's walk after His Spirit.

Grace for your spirit September 23, 2014

Grace for your spirit

But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live,  and was lost and has been found.

Luke 15:32

In this chapter they celebrated finding a lost animal, and a finding a lost coin. Should they have less compassion and rejoicing in finding a lost soul?  What kind of world would it be if we cared more for our animals and our money than we cared about lost souls?  Maybe it is time we realized that we are living in that kind of world.  Could the change start with us?

Grace for your spirit September 22, 2014

Grace for your spirit

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!  Romans 10:15

What have your feet been called? Perhaps smelly, sweaty, dirty, big, hurting, or even ugly?   How about beautiful?  When we are willing to carry the good news to those in need, our feet will look beautiful to them and to God.