Grace for your spirit June 30, 2015

Grace for your spirit

But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.  Matthew 23:11-12

It seems like everyone is scraping, clawing, and stepping on others climbing the ladder of success.  The goal is to reach the top and find success, prosperity, and happiness.  Most never make it and others are disappointed with the rewards.  Jesus gives us the real insight for success, prosperity, and happiness.  We've been climbing the wrong direction.  The joy is at the bottom of the ladder.  We should be climbing down to the point He can lift us up.  Let's all have a glad reunion at the bottom of the ladder with Jesus.

Grac for your spirit June 29, 2015

Grace for your spirit 

Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of My God.  Revelation 3:2

When Jesus addressed the seven churches of Asia in Revelation, 5 of the 7 were told to repent to regain their rewards.  They represent in many ways, all the churches and Christians today.  This church had fallen asleep, lost their strength, and failed to complete their tasks. They may have been sleepwalking, stumbling along with their arms extended before them.  Whether we are sleepwalking or have found a comfy pew, we need to wake up, strengthen up, and get back in the work of God. Let make sure the "judgment day", doesn't wake us.

Grace for your spirit June 26, 2015

Grace for your spirit

And Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.  Acts 9:8-9

Sometimes our empirical senses can be our worse enemy. We are led by seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling.  Can our God given senses lead us in the wrong way?  Saul was charging to Damascus to do what he had perceived as God's work.  When his senses were altered for three days, his thinking really changed.  Saul saw things differently, and in three days he was ready to listen, change, and forge a complete different mission.  Let's all push the world away for a little while, and in silence perhaps we will see and hear more from God than ever.  Ready, set, stop.  Now go.

Grace for your spirit June 25, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  II Timothy 1:7

When we are afraid, timid, and lack self-discipline, it is usually because we have turned our back on God.  We have trusted in something else to provide for us, and that something else has failed.  When we fan the flames of His spirit, He will always supply us with power, love, and a sound mind, because that's all He has to give.  May we never be ashamed to tell others about life in Christ.  He always has the best reserved for everyone and will never fail us.

Grace for your spirit June 24, 2015

Grace for your spirit

Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.  Luke 12:15

Many had come to hear Jesus speak that day.  While Jesus was speaking about great spiritual truths, one person only had his inheritance on his mind.  It is certainly true that we can become so focused on material gain that we can miss everything that is really important. You've heard the phrase; "he who dies with the most toys, wins."  The truth is, if we only die with toys, we lose.  If we live for Christ, die in Christ, we are the complete winners.

Grace for your spirit June 23, 2015

Grace for your spirit

For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than  any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,  and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart  Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God, also called the sword of the spirit, is a marvelous weapon against the devil and the devil in us.  Because it is alive, powerful, and sharp, it can meet our changing needs without changing itself. Most of us will never know how to divide our joints and marrow, our soul and spirit, or even our thoughts, but God does.  Let's open ourselves to His Sword, and allow it to cut away the sin our lives, and allow us to be healthy again.  Let's all learn to use His sword in an effective way every day.

Grace for your spirit June 22, 2015

Grace for your spirit

When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.  Job 1:5

Among all the good things we can think to say about Job, he was a good father.  His first thoughts and action was to pray and offer burnt offering for his family just in case.  How wonderful it is to know that we have someone praying for us every morning, just in case we really need it today.  Most of us need it every day. We do not offer burnt offerings these days, but may we all start our day praying for our loved ones. Perhaps today will be the day they really need it.  Don't leave home without it.