REFLECTIONS ON GRACE

Grace releases and affirms, it does not smother.

Grace values the dignity of the individual, it does not destroy.

Grace supports and encourages, it is not jealous or suspicious.

JESUS LIFTS UP THE HUNBLE
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. [Matthew 23:12]
All of us are guilty at times of exalting ourselves and putting others down, of hogging the spotlight and making others feel bad about themselves. Jesus honors humility and reserves exaltation for the humble. When we put others above ourselves and acknowledge that we need God’s grace and strength—then we place ourselves in a position to experience God’s best.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,…….[Romans 12:3]
…….God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. [James 4:6]

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

An everything—-whatever you ask in prayer, believing—-you will receive. [Matt.21:22]

The quality of our spiritual life will be in direct proportion to the quality of our prayer life. Prayer changes things, and it changes you. It is important that you and I understand that instead of trying to work things out according to our own will that we turn our problems over to God in prayer. Instead of worrying about your next decision, ask God to lead the way. Pray constantly, He is listening and wants to hear from you. You and I most certainly need to hear from Him.

Prayer shouldn’t be casual or sporadic, dictated only by the needs of the moment. Prayer should be as much a part of our lives as breathing. [Billy Graham]

God wants to remind us that nothing on earth or in hell can ultimately stand against the man or the woman who calls on the name of the Lord! [Jim Cymbala]

PUTTING GOD FIRST

But seek  first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you [Matt.6:33].

In the book of Exodus God warns that we should place no other gods before us. All too often we worship the gods of pride, greed, power, or lust. If you sincerely want to build your character and your life on an unshakable foundation, you must put your Creator in first place. No exceptions. 

THE RESURRECTION

The resurrection blasts apart the finality of death, providing an alternative to the stifling, settling dust of death and opens the way to new life. [Billy Graham]

No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments and troubles are, they are only temporary. No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good. [Josh McDowell]

RANDOM THOUGHTS

1. Commit to God, know His ways, do His work, it’s all about Him.
2. Responsible to obey God and dependent on the Holy Spirit to enable.
3. Loved, forgiven, chosen and sealed.
4. Find value, worth, significance, hope and identity in Christ alone.
5. Never doubt in the dark what God has taught you in the light.
6. If you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His heart.
7. God’s grace is radical, real, redemptive and reliable.
8. It’s hard being critical without being self-righteous.
9. It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.
10. You reap what you sow, more than you sow and later than you sow.

 

WALK WITH THE WISE

He who walks with wise men will be wise [Proverbs 13:20]. Friend, God wants you to be wise (James 1:5), and one way He trains you to become wise, is through godly and wise people. So chose your friends carefully. The right influences will grow you in wisdom.

THINKING LIKE A SERVANT

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of Himself. [Phil. 2:5 The Message]— Jesus emptied Himself  by taking on the form of a servant. [Phil. 2:7 GWT]

Servants think more about others than about themselves. It is only when we forget about ourselves that we look, think and act like the Savior.  

DOING GREAT THINGS

Do you aspire to do great things for God’s kingdom? Then trust Him. Trust Him with every aspect of your life. Trust Him with your relationships. Trust Him with your finances. Follow His commandments and pray for the Spirit’s power and guidance. Then, wait patiently for God’s revelations and for His blessings. In His own fashion and in His own time, God will bless you in ways that you never could have imagined.

Before we can expect God to work miracles in our lives, we must first trust Him with everything we have and everything we are. Then and only then will we begin to see the miraculous results of His endless love and His awesome power.

REFLECTIONS ON HOLINESS & WORSHIP

Reflections on Holiness and Worship

What is God’s ultimate goal for our lives? He created us to know Him, to worship Him, to extol Him, to praise Him, to love Him and to lead others to Christ. That’s our purpose and reason for being alive. God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, but He does require that we be serious about holiness, that we grieve over our sin, instead of justifying it. We are to earnestly pursue holiness in the power of the Spirt, as a way of life.

If you want to enjoy a better life, try worshipping God seven days a week, not just on Sundays. Every human life is based on some form of worship. The question is not whether you will worship, but what you worship. If you distance yourself from God by foolishly worshipping earthly possessions and personal gratification, you will be making a big mistake. Worship God with sincerity and thanksgiving. Write His Name on your heart and rest assured that He loves you.

God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. [John 4:24].