Grace for your spirit 2-28-17

Grace for your spirit

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.  Matthew 6:24

Who is our Master?  How can we tell who will be our Master in the days to come?  Well, who are we listening to, and who has our ear?  If we are listening to the words of God, He will draw us to serve Him.  If we are listening and yielding to the word of the devil, we will be drawn to his service.  No, we can't do both.  That's why the Bible warns us time and time again to listen to what the Spirit is saying.  As the kid's song goes, "Oh be careful little ears what you hear."  Oh yes, that applies to big ears too.

Grace for your spirit 2-27-17

Grace for your spirit

Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.    Ecclesiastes 7:9 

Anger that lingers, festers into hatred and revenge.  Anger is not like a single shot revolver.  It acts like a machine gun.  Once we pull the trigger, we can quickly lose control.  James said the anger of man will not achieve the righteousness of God.  So whether we call in anger or righteous indignation, only a fool hangs on to it.  If we have a "knee jerk" reaction to anger, it is time to "nip it".  Let's get it before it gets us.

Grace for your spirit 2-24-17

Grace for your spirit

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.  Romans 14:19

The body of Christ, the church, is filled with people from many diverse backgrounds.  The common ground is salvation in Christ and walking after His Spirit.  It is unreasonable to think or ask that we would be uniform in all our thoughts.  Christ called for unity and never expected uniformity.  When we are faced with differences, God calls for us not to be judgmental, nor to look at each other with contempt.  Let's do our best to maintain the unity of spirit and the bond of peace.  It takes skill to build up. Anyone can tear down.

Grace for your spirit 2-23-17

Grace for your spirit

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw."  John 4:15

This woman had come to Jacob's well to fulfill her duty.  Providing water for her family for a day.  Jesus took this opportunity to share with her "living spiritual water" that would quench her thirst forever.  She was thirsty for his kind of water instantly.  Once a salesman, after failure to close a sale said, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."  His boss said, "Your job is not make him drink, but to make him thirsty."  None of us can make anyone drink, but we can make people thirsty to the refreshment Jesus offers. Drinks are on the house.

Grace for your spirit 2-22-17

Grace for your spirit

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance  II Peter 3:9

How many spend their time wondering when God is going to fulfill His promise to reward the faithful, and punish the ungodly?  When will it be? We don't know.  Why does He wait?  His goal is not punishment, but salvation for His creation.  It is not for us to guess His timing and reasons.  It is for us to live faithfully each day, hopefully anticipating His rewards.  Let's not be slow about that.

Grace for your spirit 2-21-17

Grace for your spirit

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

The Christians life is all about "up"  We rise from the waters of baptism, we live a life seeking the things above where Christ is, and we have an ultimate goal to be seated in heavenly places with Christ.  Our biggest enemy is being dragged down by others.  I have many helium birthday balloons in my house.  As some of them lose their helium, they start pulling the other balloons down.  We empty ones need to be cut loose. Let's be aware.  Sometimes we need to cut away influences that drag us down spiritually.  Let's keep a careful eye on our direction.

Grace for your spirit 2-20-17

Grace for your spirit

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.  I John 5:3

If we listen closely, we can hear when we are going to need new brakes on our cars.  When our breaks start "squeeking", it is a sign that our worn brakes need attention.  Failure to take heed may cause a serious accident or an expense repair bill.   There are also warning signs about our spiritual condition.  When we start failing to keep His commandments because they seem too hard, it is a clear indication that our love relationship with God needs immediate attention.  Let's repair that relationship before it gets worse.  Love God!