Grace for your spirit 6-29-18

Grace for your spirit

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Philippians 2:4

Well, who could do that all the time ?  Jesus could, and when we have the attitude of Jesus, we can too.  It worked for Paul.  He wrote this letter from his prison in Rome.  We would think his letter who be about his problems, but instead it was all about his concern for others.  We can get there too when we empty ourselves and focus on others like them.  

Grace for your spirit 6-28-18

Grace for your spirit

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.  Ezekiel 36:26-27

Judah had been broken down in the years of bondage.  God was preparing to open the way for their return home.  They weren't going home empty handed.  God was giving them a new heart, a new spirit, and a strong desire to follow God's way.  In Christ, God has opened a door for us and is willing to give us a new heart and new spirit.  Let's look up and look around.  It is time to come home.

grace for your spirit 6-27-18

Grace for your spirit

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.    Colossians 3:5

Normally when we hear about idolatry, we think of worship of a form or figure that represents our god.  In fact, anything we have a single minded love and devotion for, can become an idol for us.  Anything that comes between God and us, is an idol.  Greed can be directed to things, or toward immoral living.  When they consume us, when they become our god, it becomes idolatry.  Let's be aware and flee from it.

Grace for your spirit 6-26-18

Grace for your spirit

With all  humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:2-3

We all know that forgiving one another is a rule, even though we sometimes seem to forget.  The rule is remembered and carried out more often when we have the spirit of forbearance, and tolerance.  The Ephesians had so many differences they were divided and could not grow.  Paul appealed to them for humility, gentleness, patience, and love.  The appeal is for us as well.  Let's be forbearing that leads to forgiving and unity.

Grace for your spirit 6-25-18

Grace for your spirit

Ah Lord God ! Behold You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm !  Nothing is too difficult You.     Jeremiah 32:17

When we face mighty challenges in our lives, it is possible we might think our challenges are too big for God.  It is then time for us too look at God's record of performance.  From creation to the many times He pulled His family through the mountains and valleys of life, God always knows best and comes through.  This verse says it best.  By His power, nothing is too difficult for Him.  When we turn to God, let's go to Him with confidence, not doubt.  His record is our confidence.

Grace for your spirit 6-22-18

Grace for your spirit

But the goat on which the lot for the scapegoat fell shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, to send it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.  Leviticus 16:10

In the Old Covenant, God appointed a "Day of Atonement."  The High Priest sacrificed and put blood on the mercy seat in the Holy Place.  The High Priest then took the blood representing all the sins of the nation for that year, and put them on the goats head, Then the goat was led into the wilderness representing sin leaving the camp.  Poor goat.  Poor Jesus!  He was our scapegoat on the cross.  He bore all the sins in the world, and took them away.  No wonder He cried out, "My God, My God, why have your forsaken Me?"

Grace for your spiritr 6-21-18

Grace for your spirit

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

When I did some remodeling on my kitchen, I needed to tear somethings out.  Unskilled, untrained, unrestrained people with hammers were perfect for the destruction.  When it came time to build, I needed people with skills and a strong desire to do things right.  The same is true when working with people.  Anyone can tear people down, but it takes skill and caring to build people up.  I hope we are all in training to build up and not tear down because of differences.  Are we on the right track?