Grace for your spirit December 31, 2014

Grace for your spirit

Therefore prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:13

Sports teams often use the words; Step up, come to play, bring your "A" game.  It is time for us to commit those words to our Christian walk

I will do more than belong, I will participate.

I will do more the believe, I will practice.

I will do more than care, I will help.

I will do more than be fair, I will be kind.

I will do more than forgive, I will forget.

I will do more than teach, I will inspire.

I will do more than be friendly, I will be a friend.

2015 is before us.  I will decide, I will resolve, I will

Grace for your spirit December 30, 2014

Grace for your spirit

The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding.  Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if  you embrace her.  Proverbs 4:7-8

Proverbs says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. That truth is much more than an academic exercise.  It is just the beginning. We need to continue to acquire it, prize it, embrace it, and make it special.  All great relationships need this commitment, and so does the application of wisdom.  Let's ask for wisdom and understanding, and God will give it to us.

Grace for your spirit December 29, 2014

Grace for your spirit

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.  Prov 17:14

A story is told about a Dutch boy who was walking beside a dike when he noticed the dike was leaking through a small hole.  He stuck his finger in the hole to keep the leak from getting bigger and bigger. His quick action saved the village from a flood.  Strife between people can be just like that.  Strife is a drip that can turn into a flood.  Before it does, let's take action to plug the strife and save a destructive quarrel. Let's be alert and ready to stop strife before it gets destructive.

Grace for your spirit December 24, 2014

Grace for your spirit

The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most  High will overshadow you; and for that reason the Holy Child shall be called the Son of God Luke 1:35

This announcement to Mary was certainly a surprise, but by faith she treasured it in her heart and was ready to obey.  From our perspective it was a fulfillment of prophecy that was on the way since the Garden of Eden.   The coming of Jesus is the focal point of the whole Bible.  We too accept the news by faith.  Will we treasure these things in our heart and be willing to obey?  The life we choose will be the answer to that question.  May it help us all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Grace for your spirit December 23, 2014

Grace for your spirit

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see;  the blind received sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.   Matthew 11:4-6 

When John the Baptist was having a bad time in prison, he begin to wonder if he was following the right man.  This was the message Jesus sent to him.  Even on our bad days, we need to always remember that every good and perfect gift comes from above.  The good things that happen in this world are the result of Jesus coming down and changing our world.  This is the reason for every season.  May our faith and praise never waiver. 

Grace for your spirit December 22, 2014

Grace for your spirit

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3

For too many, the glory of the Lord is lost in the "fine print".  It is the duty and joy of Christians to magnify the presence of the Lord, exalt His name, and make it real to the world that has missed His true meaning. As we behold the glory of Jesus in our walk, may that vision exalt His name and bring joy into the lives of others.  Anytime is a good time, and no better time that in this season of joy.

Grace for your spirit December 19, 2014

Grace for your spirit

For this reason we have been comforted.  And beside our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.  II Corinthians 7:13

I finally decided what gift I want for Christmas.  I would like to have my spirit refreshed, my heart filled with joy, and be comforted by the faithfulness of my Christian brothers and sisters in Christ.  If I could feel a renewed zeal, and zest for Christ that lifts us all, that would fill my stocking.  Let's all make a renewed commitment to put Jesus first in our lives, and see what God will do for us.