Friday June 28, 2013 Glimpses of Grace

Friday June 28, 2013 Glimpses of Grace


A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.   Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

 

 

 Here is an exercise to practice today. If you encounter a situation today that causes you to feel rage or anger. Immediately ask God to help you, then with patience talk to the person who has wronged you. Allow them to see the grace given to you by God. I promise if you will take this challenge, you will see that  Proverbs 15:1 works in 2 ways. Not only will it turn away the other person's anger but it will also turn away yours. I am a witness of this. The maintenance man came in to repair a leaking faucet in my bathtub and he left without turning off the water. 

 

He left it running and he accidentally flooded my bedroom, my bathroom and both of my closets. My furniture had to be moved out of my bedroom and I had to move into my granddaughter's bedroom. Honestly, I was enraged but I showed him grace. I even gave him a hug to encourage him.The rage that I felt dissolved. God is so faithful. His word never returns to Him void. It accomplishes everything that He intends for it to do. Remember you can only know these truths by studying His word. Also take advantage of the privilege that He has given to us in prayer.  

 

Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you’ll ever regret.~ Lawrence J. Peter

 

Thursday June 27, 2013 Glimpses of Grace

Thursday June 27, 2013 Glimpses of Grace


He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessolonians 5:24 (NKJV)



For the past few weeks I have been wrestling with the faithfulness of God. There were times when I could feel His peace and sometimes I even rested in it. His peace was my only solace. Then there were times when I cried out to Him "Help me Lord, You are the only One that I have to depend on." Well if the Lord is the only one that I can depend on, isn't He all that I need? It sounds like I need a lesson in the providence of God.

Remember when you were in school and the teacher would do roll call? You would either say here or present. You did not hesitated to answer because you wanted to make sure that your name was on the roll for that day. Beloved of God, you do not have to remind God that you are here. He knows that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. He also knows that you are present on this earth. He know this because you are not in your glorified body, in his presence. Rest assured that God is actively involved in your life and He will supply all of your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. We must take courage and rest in the providence of God. God is watching over us and He has His hand on us.

In Acts 12 it tells of the arrest and imprisonment of the Apostle Peter. That very same night Peter was resting peacefully in his jail cell being guarded by 4 squads of  soldiers. An angel woke him up and told him to get up quickly and to dress himself. Guess what happened. Peter was set free. He walked out of the jail cell and past those guards as if he has been invisible. The reason why Peter could sleep peacefully can be found in John chapter 21. 

After Jesus' resurrection and reunion with His disciples, Jesus had a conversation with Peter and He told Peter that when he was young he used to dress himself but when he would become old someone else would dress him and carry him around. Did you catch that insight?

 Well on the night of Peter's arrest, I think he remembered the Lord's words to him. Peter knew that the Lord was faithful to keep promises and that He was faithful to carry out what He started in someone. Peter was a living witness of the faithfulness of God. That's why Peter had peace and could sleep in the presence of his enemies. Peter knew the kind of death that he would die. He knew it would not be in a jail cell. Peter was resting in God's providence.

What did the angel say to Peter? He said "get dress." He didn't tell Peter to let someone else dress Him, but Peter was to dress himself. Didn't the Lord tell him when it was time for his death someone else would dress him? On the authority of God's word I'm telling you that the Lord can be trusted. We must rest in His providence. Today the Lord answered my prayer. I was in awe of my God. He was faithful even though I was faithless. Each day I get a glimpse of the Lord grace. It is something that I don't deserve but it was all made possible because of Christ's love for me. 



God's faithfulness is shown in strengthening and protecting those He has called, guarding them from the evil one, sanctifying them wholly and preserving them entire -- spirit, soul and body -- without blame at the coming of Jesus. This confidence of God's children in regard to their future is not in their faithfulness, but in His.~R.A. Torrey

Wednesday June 26, 2013 Grace For Today

Wednesday June 26, 2013  Grace For Today


Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.  Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.  Hebrews 11:1,2  (NLT)

I recently read where the evangelist Nick Vujicic, who was born without limbs, said he does not worry about how he will get to the place that he is to minister at. Did you catch that??? Nick cannot drive because he was born without limbs. He went on to say that God had given him his ministry to evangelize and he was sure that where ever God wanted him to speak at, the Lord would get him there. Now that is faith. Do you have that type of faith? I wish that I could say that I did.

The perfect character of God is not dependent on mine or your small faith. Everything that God decreed in eternity will come to pass. God will honor everything that he has ordained. When Jesus tells us not to worry about today and to consider the lillies of the fields and to take note of the sparrows, He is telling us that if God considers that part of creation important then surely man who was made in His image and for His glory would be well take care of by Him.

God has to much invested in us than just to leave us floundering out in this world. When He makes promises, they will come to past because His entire character is resting on it. If you are struggling with unbelief don't be embarrass to cry out to Jesus, like the man in the bible who said "I believe Lord but help my unbelief" Just like He honored that man He will honor you too. Know He is faithful when we are faithless.

Is your faith sagging and you are in need of a faith lift? Then Read God's word!!!

Tuesday June 25, 2013 Grace For Today

Tuesday June 25, 2013  Grace For Today

Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. Romans 12:2 (Voice)




One of the great things about the word of God is that it has the power to transform lives. The Apostle Paul once was a blasphemer and an emeny of Christ, but Paul said he counted everything as loss for the knowledge that He had of Christ. Paul literally heard the Word of God and God transformed His life. That knowledge can only be found in God's word. Stay in His word, talk to Him regularly and you too will be transformed.

Nature forms us, sin deforms us, the penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us. (unknown)

Monday June 24, 2013 Grace For Today

Monday June 24, 2013  Grace For Today


I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.    Isaiah 44:22 (NLT)


 As Christians we don't have to live defeated lives. There is no need to cling to the past. Jesus paid it all, all to him we owe. "Sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow." Stop dwelling on your past sins and start focusing on the redemptive work of Christ.  Remember the one who Christ has set free is truly free indeed. Never look back at your former way of life, but do continue to walk in the freedom that was given to us by our marvelous Savior.  Do not neglect spending time with God and remain steadfast in prayer.



You may never be able to forget the years of wandering, the many sins of which you have been guilty. But that which gives peace is the knowledge that God will never recall them again. He has blotted them from the book of His remembrance, and He has done it in righteousness, for the account is completely settled. The debt is paid." (source unknown)

7/23/13 Grace For Today

Sunday 7/23/13 Grace For Today

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.  Philippians 2:12,13  (NLT)

These past few weeks have really tough for me and my family. On my way home from work to today I was crying out to God. I asked Him, how could I focus on ministry and bring Him glory with all that I was going through. I felt the Lord speak to my heart and say. So many times in our busyness we feel that we are bringing Him glory, but we are really doing things that bring us fulfillment. God spoke to me and said He can be given glory in trials and tribulations. It is when we live out our faith that a dying world sees that Jesus is truly alive. Regardless of what your situation may be today, next week or next month, His grace is sufficient. Let others see Jesus is alive, live out your faith!!!   The only way to experience this is to meet Him in His word and on your knees.

The good news is that we are not alone in this quest: God is working in you. It is His good pleasure to guide us in working out what we know to be true in our day-to-day (and sometimes minute by minute) activities~Dave Whitehead

Review: Cross-Shaped Gospel by Bryan Loritts

Review: Cross-Shaped Gospel by Bryan Loritts

I received a complimentary copy of the Cross Shaped Gospel by Bryan Loritts from Moody Press in return for a review of this book. This review is my honest opinion.


I remember years ago listening Crawford Loritts speak and I can still remember the wonderful things he had to say about his children. Mr. Loritts should be proud of his son Bryan. When I opened this book I had high expectations and I was not let down. Bryan Loritts has put the true meaning of the gospel of Jesus Christ into this book. He shows how the gospel has a  vertical and horizontal aspect. The vertical aspect is our relationship with Jesus which pushes us into the horizontal realm. The horizontal realm is how we relate to our fellow man. It is our love for Jesus that stirs our hearts for our fellow man.

Bryan Loritts shows that it is our love for Jesus that motivates us to love and care for others. My personal feeling is that our modern day churches put far more into foreign missions than they do on the much needed mission field that we have right here in America. Jesus commanded his disciples to take His gospel to Jerusalem first, which was where they resided. That is exactly what the disciples did and they met needs alone the way. In this book Bryan Loritts shows how Jesus showed the masses who He was by the truths that He spoke and in the many miracles that He performed. 


Bryan told the story of his best friend who was among the less fortunate. Bryan was middle class and his friend was more like urban city. Bryan's  father Crawford did many things to help this young man to be all that God called him to be.  It is so easy to present the gospel of Jesus and go back to our comfortable lifestyle. Bryan used many scenarios on how people come from different backgrounds and walks of life and have a hard time relating to one another. In his book the Cross-shaped gospel, Bryan Loritts shows how our faith in God helps us to love and relate to our neighbors and each other.

In this book he shows many things that causes problems and conflicts in today's churches. Some of them stems from lack of understanding different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. I think many Christians and churches present the gospel and minister according to their own personal political background and stance. Jesus was not into politics but people. Mr. Loritts shows that everything that we do should be about glorifying Jesus. When we identify with Jesus we can identify with each other because then we are motivated by His love.
I think this is a much needed book and should be added to every church library and every Christian home. We all are from different backgrounds and walks of life but we all should live to glorify Jesus. May we all live out The Cross-Shaped Gospel. This is a book that I will reference again. 

Grace For Today

Friday June 21, 2013


Grace For Today



The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19: 1-4 (NIV)



As we travelled to Nevada to be with Jerry, I saw beautiful mountains, deserts, and I experienced weather that is unheard of in Alabama. I stood in awe of the wonder and creation of our God. God's creation speaks of His glory and they tell an awesome story of the One who controls this universe. Today get align with creation and declare the glory and wonder of our God. If creation, which God spoke into being can declare God's glory, surely mankind who was created in His image and by His hand can outshine creation by declaring what God has done for and through us in  His Son. Share His wonders with someone today. Continue in His word and stay on your knees.

There is not a place you can go in all the earth where you are not confronted with God’s testimony of himself in creation. There is no distance barrier. This testimony is given to all.~Ray Fowler

Grace For Today

Thursday  6/20/13


Grace For Today



A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs 16:6 (AMP)



 For me this Christian walk is not easy. Sometimes I get distracted. I begin to look at other believers walk and I take my eyes off of Christ. Some believers walk with Christ seem to be so effortless and it causes me to get all stressed out because in the words of Langston Hughes "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." It is in those times that the Lord says to me like he said to the Apostle Peter "what is it to you", "you follow me".  Remember, no matter how easy or hard your walk with Christ gets, keep your eyes on Jesus!!! It is Jesus alone who will keep you on the right path. Stay in His word and stay on your knees.




Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me!

Grace For Today

Wednesday 6/5/13

Grace For Today

When I discovered Your words, I ate them up:they were my great joy and my heart’s delight. I am Yours, and I bear the name of the Eternal God, Commander of heavenly armies. Jeremiah 15:16 (Voice)

 

There are times when I feel empty on the inside and foolishly I run to so many places to find fulfillment. My favorite place of all is the faithful refrigerator. But those places brings temporary satisfaction and the proof is I still feel empty on the inside. That is when I get in His word, then all of my hunger is filled. Please always remember the only thing that can fill the human spirit is the word of God. If you stay in His word and allow it to fill you, you will never hunger again. Also remember to remain steadfast in prayer. The word of God and prayer combined causes the enemy to tremble.

 

 

 

 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1,2

Grace For Today

Tuesday 5/28/13

Grace For Today

The Only Requirement

Knowing the correct password – saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance – isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience – doing what my Father wills. I can see it now – at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You are out of here. Matthew: 7:21 (New Testament In Contemporary Language)

The comedian Jeff Foxworthy gives many scenarios that could qualify a person to be considered a Redneck. Whereas, God gives only one requirement in order to be a Christian. That requirement is to put your trust in Jesus. Do you find yourself, wanting to tell everyone you come in contact with about Christ? Then you might be a Christian. When you hear someone talking about how wonderful Jesus is, do you join in or say Amen? Then you might be a Christian. Do you find yourself grieving over sin? Then more than likely you are a Christian. The greatest desire of a Christian is to bring glory to Christ. People of God continue Kingdom living, stay in God's word and stay committed to prayer.

There are still Christian executioners in non-Christian countries around the world, but in America religions, even the funky ones, are protected by the law. Too bad, nowadays our faith cannot be tested by fire.~David Babeni