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

Grace For Today

Thursday 5/30/13

Grace For Today


Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (NIV)






Albert Einstein once lost his ticket while boarding a train. The conductor said "Relax, Dr. Einstein, we all know who you are." Einstein replied, "It's not that I don't know who I am, I know exactly who I am, I'm looking for my ticket becaue I don't know where I'm going." Can you honestly say that you know you are going? Is it heaven? If not continue to study the book of John, it will show you the way to Jesus. It you do know where you are going, will you please point someone who is lost, to Christ? Stay in His word and stay on your knees.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.~Jesus Christ