Grace for Today

Christians are never given more than one day to live. It is called today.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest... So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts... ~ Hebrews 3:1,7,8

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. ~ Isaiah 51:6

Jesus said...
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:35-36

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ~ John 14:1

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~ John 14:27

What's In Your Hand This Christmas?

Our gifts do not have to be monetary. Everything in our care can be a gift/seed, whether it be a dollar, time, a smile, an encouraging word, a prayer, or any material thing. But one thing for sure; when we give out of a loving heart...God will always multiply and return the gift to us. Never believe that God doesn't want to use you. He is ready and willing, and is simply asking us to release, by faith, the things He has already given us.
 God asked Moses, "What's in your hand?". He said, "a rod"...and with that rod God worked many mighty miracles and upset the strongest army on earth.
"What's in your hand Samson?"..."the jaw-bone of an ass"...and with it he slew 1000 Philistine enemies of God.
"What's in your hand David?"..."a slingshot and five smooth stones", and with one of the stones David killed a giant who challenged and insulted the people of God.
"What's in your hand son?"..."five loaves and two small fish", and with that little boys lunch Jesus was able to feed 5000 men, plus the women and children.
Today God is asking you to trust Him with whatever you have at your disposal. Maybe it is your time, your love, or some worldly possession. You will never be able to out-give God. If He can get it through you, He will get it to you. Be a funnel of God's love and blessings. You will not regret it.
-"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ~ Luke 6:38 NIV
-“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. ~ Mark 10:29-30 NLT

The Fullness of Life

Are you a whosoever? Have you confessed Jesus (verbally) as Lord of your life? Do you believe that God raised Him from the dead? If so, U R Saved! Don't let the Devil lie to you and cause you to neglect or miss out on the benefits of your salvation. The Devil is a liar and if he can't stop you from confessing Jesus as Lord, he just switches gears and tries to keep you feeling unworthy and condemned so you will not walk in the fulness of what Christ has for you and wants to give others through you for His glory. Get the truth and promises of God's word deep in your heart so the devil can't steal it from you. God has your picture in His wallet, He loves you, and has great plans for your life...seek Him and find out what they are.

"...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:9-10 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

Contrasting Himself and the Devil (thief), Jesus said "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside." Matthew 13:19

Use Your Authority

Have you ever stomped your foot and told and old dog, or pesky animal to "Get out of here!"? - That's the way you have to treat the devil and his little imps sometimes. Anything troubling you today, if it can be called by a name (e.g. pain, infection, cancer, depression, poverty, lack, strife...) it must bow to, or flee from, the name of Jesus. Try it...speak to your mountain...call it by name and

tell to "GET OUT, IN THE NAME OF JESUS!" - then begin to praise God for the authority He has given you to use the name of His precious Son who died for Y O U :) - You will get better at this as your faith muscle grows, but if you don't try you will never know.

"God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." ~ Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

 

 

Poem by C.T. Studd

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
— extra stanza —
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

C.T Studd

Struggling Relationship w/Jesus

If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but are still struggling with old habits and attitudes - talk to Him about it and let Him know you would like to want Him more than you want this world, but are having a hard time getting there. He will begin to lead you on a better path...the one that involves Him as the most important person in your life. You may need to separate yourself from

some of the people and places you are familiar with. Get a version of the Bible you can understand and start to read about Jesus...His life, and His ways. Ask Him to arrange for new friends and mentors to come into your life, then get excited because I promise He will not disappoint. He is faithful, He is awesome, and He has your picture in His wallet.

Jesus - The God/Man

When Jesus came to earth as a man, He didn't give up any of His rights as a deity. He always was and always will be God. But coming in the form of a man He submitted himself to the limitations of His flesh. (There are great legal ramifications in this, which is how He was able to undo the kingdom of darkness submitting Himself to His own laws. The greatest strategy ever conceived.) He relied upon and was empowered completely by the Holy Spirit during His ministry here 2000 yrs. ago. You and I, as born-again believers, have that same opportunity today.
"Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death —
even death on a cross!" ~ Philippians 2:6-8

Receive God's Grace

If faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (and it does), then doubt and unbelief come by hearing everything the world has to offer. Everything that passes through our eye and ear gates creates something in our souls. The Word of God produces peace, love, holiness - God's character. The World produces doubt, unbelief, rebelliion, evil desires, etc. Thus we have the average carnal American Christian, full of the world and barely allowing for any quality time with the Lord. All anyone has to do is listen to us speak, or read what we write, and see the fruit of our intake...because out of the overflow of the heart our mouths will speak (or we will write).
Remedy = Read & Meditate on the Word of God (Bible), Prayer (two way conversatiion), true Christian Fellowship and Godly conversation, better choices concerning what we see and listen to. Then, all of this will just be works without the power of the Holy Spirit, so ask the Giver for the Gift. He will not turn you down. God loves you. He wants you to connect with Him through the channels He has provided so that your faith muscles will grow. Then you will be able to appropriate, by faith, all that He has provided by grace.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."~ Romans 10:17

"Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word," ~ Eph. 5:25-26

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing..." ~ Ps.101:3

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" ~ Luke 11:13

I AM WILLING - BE CLEAN

"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. " ~ Luke 5:12-13

Jesus was approached by a man with a severe case of leprosy. It would not have been a pretty thing to look upon. He wasn't sure if Jesus would heal him, but he knew He could. Jesus made His will clear to the man by reaching out and touching him, and of course when He touched him...he was healed.

We desperately need to accept a couple of things here. Because our level of knowledge and belief in them have everything to do with living victorious lives as Christians. They need to be documented in our minds, our hearts...our souls. The first is God's will regarding physical healing. That leper didn't know whether or not Jesus was willing to heal him, but that is not the case for believers today. The Bible sets in place all the testimony and precedent we need to establish God's will concerning healing. It is always His will to heal. Never once does Jesus use sickness as punishment. Never once did He turn anyone away or even require anything of them, before He would heal them. He healed everyone who ever came to Him for healing. Yes in the old testament God put sickness on people who were rebellious. He was angry, and He even killed people. He had to deal harshly with people because they did not have the Holy Spirit and the only way to protect the majority of mankind from rebellion and the sin which was so prevelant was to make examples of some. But all of God's wrath has now been unleashed on Jesus Christ. He exhausted His judgment, punishment, and anger on Jesus as a way of reconciling us back to Himself. Now a just and holy God can look upon you, me, and whosoever will except the gift of salvation found in His son Jesus Christ and say 'their sins have been atoned for by the blood of Jesus'.
The other thing is this... His will to heal is not just for the physical body, but for our spirit man and for our soul or personality (consisting of our thoughts, will, and emotions). From the fall of man till the present day, every person born (apart from Jesus and John the Baptist) has been born captive to sin. When we make a commitment to trust in Jesus for our eternal redemption and make Him the Lord of our life, our spirit is set free from the bondage to sin; enabling us to live Godly lives.

 "... just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men." ~ Romans 5:18

 This doesn't mean we don't still have the capacity to sin, we do. It just means we are no longer compelled to sin by an uncontrollable force, and if we do we have an advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ, praying for us, and HE IS ALWAYS WILLING AND ABLE to free us from the burden of guilt, condemnation, regret, and shame that can hinder us from living the abundant life of an over-comer He died to provide us with.

  ^"If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." ~ 1 John 3:20

Dear brothers and sisters, remember this. No matter what sickness you face, and no matter what sin you have committed...Jesus is ALWAYS WILLING AND ABLE to heal you, forgive you, cleanse you, restore your confidence, and set you on a course of victory. Find out more about the superabundance of God's grace available to you through the atonement of Jesus as a New Covenant believer. God is not angry with you, and He has a perfect plan for your life. Learn how to appropriate all that He has for you by surrendering yourself to His love and amazing grace. Before long you will be so full of the love of God, you will be walking in faith, trusting in God, and loving His people with His kind of perfect love.

OPEN UP TO GOD'S WORD AND FIND HIS WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful ~ Matthew 13:22

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. ~ 1 John 2:15

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. ~ Ephesians 5:17

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:2

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ~ 1 Peter 1:14

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. ~ Colossians ~ 1:9

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. ~ Romans 10:17

Lighten Your Load

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Stay free of bitterness, unforgiveness, gossip, malice, jealousy, and immorality. Recognize and acknowledge these things are not of God, command them to leave in the name of Jesus, then (verbally) invite God's love, joy, peace, and self-discipline into your heart...in the name of Jesus. The Christian life is impossible by your own power, you need the Holy Spirit. Ask Jesus to fill you today. He is faithful. You will not arrive in a day, it is a journey, but He will free you of the bondage to sin, so you have the ability to live the abundant life of an overcomer He died to provide you with.

Penny For Your Thoughts

If your thoughts were posted on a TV screen on your forehead you wouldn't have any problem controlling them. What are you choosing to magnify today? Does it glorify God or the devil? The choice is yours. Bitterness, anger, and selfish desires glorify and empower the enemy of your soul. When you meditate on negative things you are submitting to the evil one who is whispering in your ear. If someone offered you a "penny for your thoughts", would they be short-changed? Choose to meditate on positive possibilities, beautiful dreams, and goals that honor God. Fix your mind on Jesus.
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." ~ Phil. 4:8,9 MSG

From Death Unto Life

If you insist on having things your way in this brief life, then don't be surprised at what you get in the eternal one to come. But God's will is that you will accept Him and His Son Jesus Christ, and that you would have eternal life with them. Jesus is the answer.

"Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."~Galatians 6:8

Then he (Jesus) called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it." ~ Mark 8:34-35 NIV

You may say:

"Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?" ~ Romans 7:21-24

Jesus is the answer:

^"Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!..." ~ Romans 7:25

 ^"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," ~ Romans 3:23

"... the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ                               Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 6:23

"... God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." ~ Romans 5:8

" If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,you will be saved." ~ Romans 10:9

 ...for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ~    Romans 10:13

You may say, 'great, now what?'

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," ~ Romans 5:1

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." ~ 

Romans 8:1-18

"...now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."~Romans 6:22

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 8:38-39

"keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."~ Jude 21

Thanks & Be Blessed,

Will Grace & Truth Ministries
http://www.facebook.com/GraceTruthMinistries

God Wants You To Know Him

The Kingdom of God is not a secret society. God's secret was Jesus, who has now been revealed for everyone. Knowing God in a personal and intimate way is not only attainable, it is the reason for your existence. The way to know the Father is through His son Jesus Christ. He is very much alive and willing. Indeed He is longing to be your closest friend, no matter who you are or what you have done. He is no respecter of persons, and this is offensive to religious minded, self-righteous people who like to believe that their good deeds and clean living have earned them something with God. Wrong. Jesus has earned all things pertaining to life and godliness for us all, as a free gift. The grace of God has appeared to all men, but we must learn how to appropriate it by coming into relationship with Jesus, and beginning to live a life of love and faith. All of us who have a hope and a future with God, can accredit it to what Jesus has done on our behalf.  Don't limit God's influence in your life by thinking He doesn't want you, or that you have to jump through religious hoops and be approved by men in order to be accepted by your Father in Heaven. There are plenty of good reasons to live a holy life, but don't fall into the trap of believing it is a prerequisite to relationship with God. Just turn to Jesus; as He begins to earn your trust, you will begin to change effortlessly as His Word takes root in your heart and begins to bear fruit in your life. Oh how I long for everyone to really know Him. He is beautiful...

True Wisdom Comes from God

^"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness."~ James 3:13-18 NLT

Father help us to apply these truths in our lives.

The Abundant Life of An Over-Comer

It is wonderful to come to Jesus and allow Him to free us from all the ungodly things in our lives. But we must not neglect to be filled with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. A life which has been freed from sin but not filled with the love of God and the power of His Holy Spirit is an easy target for Satan. We must study (and be studied by) the Word, and be led by the Holy Spirit, in order to live the abundant life of an over-comer Jesus has provided for us through the cross. This is not to be done in a burdensome, legalistic manner. We only need to tell God this is what we want, and then wait and listen for His promptings in our hearts. He will also send people into our lives to provide us with the teachings we need, the answers to our questions, and to help us stay accountable. We should take advantage of these things.

(Jesus said,) “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.” ~ Matthew 12:43-45 NLT


"And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before." ~ 2 Peter 2:20 NLT

As I look back on the life I lived before I was born again, I sometimes shutter at the things the Lord brought me through, and delivered me from. Even then His mercy and grace were extended to me. Now that I know the Lord, I can look back and see the track record of His faithfulness in my life; the times when He was mindful and protective of me even when I was serving His enemy...and it makes me love Him all the more.


"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."~ Matthew 5:45

"... I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”~Luke 7:47
 
"...do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"~ Romans 2:4

Always Include God

As we sit to consider our goals for a day, it is wise to stop and consider whether or not they are God's goals. I challenge everyone to always include God in your planning process. Ask Him to put His desires in your heart, and to give you His vision for what the end of each day will look like, once His plans for that day have been carried out. We cannot truly say Jesus is our Lord, if He is not essential to our decision making process. As our trust in Him increases, along with His faithful and loving track record in our lives, all of the intimate details of our lives should be submitted to Him.~ "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4