The Gift Of God’s Grace

     I’m sure most of you received some to many gifts this Christmas. But may I take a few moments to tell you about a gift that everybody can receive.

     Many who work in a mechanical field are familiar with what is called an “access panel.” For the most part, this is a small door which gives technicians a handy access to strategic parts of the device on which they are working.

     In much the same way there is a special “access” by which we can tap into God’s Grace – namely the person of Jesus Christ. His substitutionary death on the cross opened the way for us (gave us access) to the Grace of God.

     Without the work of Christ and without the exercise of faith on our part, the Grace of God would be outside the scope of our experience. But God has made provisions for anyone to make use of that special access to His Grace.

     No wonder so many church hymns and Christian songs deal with the Grace of God. It is so unexpected, such a great gift – that the heart has difficulty grasping the magnitude of this underserved gift of God’s love and mercy.

     For those who have yet to gain access to God’s Grace, it is important that you realize that it is the goodness of God (His Grace) which leads you to repentance. Will your share this good news with someone today? May they see and know God’s Amazing Grace.

     I pray each of you prosper not only in your physical, but also in your spiritual life this coming year of 2012. God wants to bless you!

What Is Your Conversation?

Suggested Reading: Matthew 12:30-37; Proverbs 15:1-2

     In our conversation, people hear what we “say.” They hear words we use, and our tone of voice when speaking. But God hears what we are “thinking” when we’re speaking.

     In Luke 6:45, Jesus explained it’s the heart (mind) that first produces evil. The mouth only gushes forth what has already been placed in the heart. In Matthew 15:19, Jesus said that out of the heart, springs the evil deeds that people do. Our heart then, is the source of our speech and actions.

     In Hebrews 4:12, the writer says that 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.

     How many times do we say “I didn’t mean to say or do that?” But if we are really honest with ourselves, deep down inside, maybe even in our sub-conscious mind, something made that off color or rude comment come out. Was that apology you offered genuinely sincere, or was it just words to make you feel better, and to pacify someone? Was that “cute” remark you made, to lift up someone, or to cut them down? God knows doesn’t He?

     We are held accountable for what we say, AND what we mean, whether we say it or not.

     When you pray, ask God to make you listen to your conversation and be aware of what He and others hear you say.

Fulfillment Of The Empty Life

Take Time Read: John 4:3-18

     In a sad, popular country song several years ago, the singer recalled his past romances. “Lookin’ for love in all the wrong places” was how he summed up his failure to find love that truly satisfied his heart and need for acceptance.

     This Samaritan woman certainly knew how it felt to miss out on love. She had been married five times and was living with a man who wasn’t her husband when she met Jesus.

     This woman had faced five rejections – how bruised and scarred her emotions must have been. She went to the well at the hottest part of the day just to avoid the scorn and disapproval of her neighbors. Have you ever experience some similar circumstance where you just wanted to avoid everybody?

     Jesus’ words cut straight to her hurts and deepest desires: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (v.14).

     Have you tried to find complete fulfillment in human relationships? Listen: Jesus’ love is eternal, unchanging, sustaining; all other affections are temporary and someday prove disappointing.

     You can trust in the Savior Jesus Christ who will not let you down or leave you comfortless. Jesus is the person to go to when you are looking for true love. So sing a new song “Lookin’ For Love In The Right Place”

What's It Like To Be A Fugitive?

Interesting Reading: Jonah 1:1-17 & Psalms 139

   

      How does it feel to be running from something or someone? Is running really any better than staying and facing the problem?

     These questions and more were probably at one time or another center of thought for the man (Jonah) who in the Bible has the distinction of taking the first three-day submarine excursion. Jonah rebelled against God’s specific direction. He became a fugitive from God. What Jonah learned, among others things, is that you may run from doing God’s will, but you cannot hide from God.

     It is the same lesson which Adam and Eve learned shortly after their act of disobedience in the garden. They attempted to hide from God, but God was fully aware of exactly what head taken place – and where they were.

     We all know that as Christians we face temptation. Especially in those times when we are all alone, it is most likely to happen that the tempter will offer his GOLDEN LIE: “But nobody will ever know.” That idea seems to strip away our resistance until we reel with the awareness that we are not alone – God Himself is present.

     Do you know that God truly does know all about you? Your past – present – future – deeds – thoughts and motives? What amazes us is that He loves us just the way we are.

     Trust God, stand firm, face up to reality of life and don’t become a FUGITIVE.

The Season For Love

Romans 12:9-16

9) “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13) Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15) Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16) Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

A preacher once told about three kids who made a new club. They had three rules. Nobody acts big. Nobody acts little. Everybody acts medium. Pretty good advice!

In the verses that precede this section of Romans twelve, Paul talks about being living sacrifices and that it starts inside. We become what we think about (and what we think about ourselves). Now this is part two of being a living sacrifice—living sacrifices living together.

Love Must Be Sincere (v. 9).

Love Hates Evil. It Clings to Good (v. 9).

Love Is Being a Devoted Friend (v. 10).

Love Honors Another Above You (v. 10).

Love Is Zealous, with Spiritual Fervor (v. 11).

Love Is Joyful (Because of Hope) (v. 12).

Love Is Patient in Affliction (v. 12).

Love Is Faithful in Prayer (v. 12).

Love Shares with God’s People Who Are in Need (v. 13).

Love Practices Hospitality (v. 13).

Love Blesses Those Who Persecute (v. 14).

Love Rejoices with Those Who Rejoice (v. 15).

Love Mourns with Those Who Mourn (v. 15).

Love Stretches Its Social Range Past Its Comfort Zones (v. 16).

Remember, all letter long, Paul reminds us that this is God-guided living that we cannot produce on our own. We need a Savior. We need the Spirit. We may have them.

      Merry Christmas Folks – Let the Lord Jesus Bless You!

What Is Life?

Someone once asked me “What Is Life?” After a lot of thought, I put together a word answer about life.

LIFE IS A . . .

Song . . . Sing it. 

Game . . . Play it.

Gift . . . Accept it.

Tragedy . . . Face it.

Beauty . . . Praise it.

Goal . . . Achieve it.

Duty . . . Perform it.

Adventure . . . Dare it.

Challenge . . . Meet it.

Mystery . . . Unfold it.

Opportunity . . . Take it.

Journey . . . Complete it.

Sorrow . . . Overcome it.

Promise . . . Fulfill it.

Struggle . . . Fight it.

Puzzle . . . Solve it.

But above all, do LIFE unto the Lord Jesus Christ and serve Him.

The Inside Person, Part 1

Read: Matthew 23:23-28 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24) You blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26) You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter that the outside of them may be clean also. 27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28) Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

     If you scanned the shelves of major bookstore chains in the self-help and pop psychology sections, you’d find many books with superficial solutions. How to look successful, how to influence others, how to feel good about yourself – most topics are geared toward appearance and quick results.

     Not many address the deeper issues of morality and the enrichment of the inner person. Jesus, however, was very concerned about what goes on in the heart. He was angry at the self-righteous Pharisees, who prided themselves on their strict observance of every detail or religious law.

     Comparing them to whitewashed tombs was a graphic way of saying they looked good on the outside but inside they were morally corrupt. The attractive human walls didn’t count for much when the contents were ugly. Let me ask you a question here! How do you see yourself inside?

     Developing your character is Jesus’ top priority. Step by step, as you trust Him to shape your thinking, your behavior is turned around. You’re on the track to genuine success when you allow Him to instill godly qualities. Remember, His plant isn’t a “look good, quick” scheme of temporary changes. His process takes time, but the good results are real and lasting.

     There is an old song I used to sing with some of the lyrics stating: “Take Time Out For Jesus – He Took Time For You” – Give it some thought.

Grace: God's New Lifestyle

I present to you something to ponder on for the upcoming year. First, of all don’t let the Christmas Season get you down with the pressures of life.

Know this one thing: Jesus calls us to live life as representatives of His New Covenant. It is a lifestyle controlled by GRACE, not human expectations. The life of grace is favored with these characteristics:

·        Acceptance: No matter what your past contains, God loves you. He loved you before your birth, and He loves you now. He’s your eternal Source of Hope and Acceptance.

·        Assurance: Your salvation is eternally secure, because it is not based on something you do but what Christ did for you at Calvary. Just ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life.

·        Availability: God is in every situation with you. Seek Him and He will give you His rest and peace.

·        Adequacy: God’s power is adequate for every situation. Through the Holy Spirit, you can victoriously meet and defeat the lies of the enemy.

·        Abundance: God’s blessings are tailored to meet individual needs. Never measure the content of your life against someone else’s. God is constantly working for your good and His glory.

·        Abiding: God abides with His people and He has promised never to leave us.

·        Accountability: God has never broken a promise. He is faithful and true. Give Him every part of your life, and by His grace you will experience everlasting joy and peace.

Remember: God’s covenant with us is not based on human performance. It is based on Christ’s death at Calvary. Our lives are rooted in His grace, not the rewards of our talents and abilities. In the Old Testament God made covenants with men based on works however, man couldn’t uphold his end of the covenant. Thus the New Covenant with Jesus offering us a new lifestyle and new beginnings. It’s not a life of rules and regulations. It is a life of unconditional love and acceptance, based upon the finished work of Christ at Calvary.

Dealing With The Pressure Of Time

Read: Luke 6:12-19 - 12) "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13) And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14) Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15) Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16) And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 17) And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18) And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19) And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all".

     You won’t find a Bible passage that says Jesus rushed or ran. He never dashed to keep an appointment or scrambled to finish a task. He did exactly what He needed to do in just the right amount of time – never late. He was never too busy to meet unexpected needs.

     For a Savior with so much to do in so short a time, this unhurried approach may seem surprising. Three years was all He had to complete His ministry. And constantly the needy crowds were pushing to get to Him, desperately seeking His attention.

     What was His secret? Jesus knew who sustained Him and kept Him on track. “He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God” (v.12). It was God the Father who set His pace and directed every step. As a result, spending time with His Father was more important to Jesus than anything else. The next day He was refreshed and ready to begin the Sermon on the Mount.

     The key to time management is time spent with God. When you give Him first place each day in prayer and reading His Word, He helps you discern what’s important to Him and accomplish it on time. Are you letting the Lord set your agenda? His schedule is always best.

Confidence - 2012?

What will Our Confidence Be for 2012?

Sister Peggy Little

     Confidence is a dynamic character trait that often can spell the difference between accomplishment and failure. For the person who is besieged with feelings of inferiority, life can be a continual struggle for competence and acceptance.

     The Christian should be confident, for “the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). Though he or she may have occasional bouts with insecurity and doubt, confidence should dominate the believer’s life.

     The reason is really quite simple. Once born again, the Christian has entered into a relationship with an all-sufficient God who is more than able to handle any difficulty, enabling Him to say to the psalmist: “Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident” (Psalm 27:3).

     We can be confident because we have unlimited access to God. “Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). For whatever you need, you have access to the very presence of God.

     Do you need wisdom? Are you searching for an answer in dealing with your rebellious child? Does your budget need divine intervention? Because of Calvary, you can avail yourself of the resources of the all-knowing God.

     We can be confident because we understand that God is in control. Listen: Though the economic outlook may be gloomy or circumstances discouraging, our sovereign God is ruling over all, working for His glory and our good. Our future is in His all-powerful hands. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Our well-being is not left to chance or fate.

     We can be confident because God is our total adequacy for any demand placed upon us. “And such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5). We no longer have to look to our own initiative or training or cleverness.

     We can be confident because God assures us that He will complete what He has begun in our lives (Philippians 1:6) and that He will never leave us or forsake us in the process. (Hebrews 15:5). In other words, God is for us. Having been reconciled through the cross, and He is now on our side, not against us (Romans 8:31).

     Finally, we can exhibit confidence in this life because, through Christ, we are prepared for the next life. “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him. At His coming” (1 John 2:28).

     Through our personal relationship with our Savior, we can be bold witnesses to an insecure world of the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ who is able to supply every need from His inexhaustible resources. God is for us, God is with us. God is in control of our futures. He is at work for our good. That is, I pray, our confidence for the year of 2012.

     May you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year as each one of you do all you can for our Lord and Savior “Jesus Christ”. Remember, look to Him, for God has all of the answers. So let us pray and seek the Lord daily for our families, nation, Israel, our needs, our breakthroughs, our healings and especially salvation for all the lost souls and our loves ones. I pray you will call on Him to help you make it through those circumstances of life that comes your way.  God Bless!