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