Finding Grace

How long will God hold back judgement? As I read the old testament I see that God was angry at man and decided to erase him altogether. But one man was given special consideration because he was different. How was he different? He had developed a relationship with God, he respected God, he made acceptable sacrifices unto God, he did not practice sin and he listened to God! So God spared him (and his family) as he erased everyone else. Looking at the condition of the world today I am amazed that God has held back his wrath for so long. Just for the record; I am going to learn and practice Noah's relationship secrets.......and find Grace in the eyes of the Lord.

S.O.A.P.

1-4-2015         Romans 1:18-24

S.       18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

O.      God will not let wickedness, sin or self-pleasing go un-punished. He will not tolerate idol worship.

A.      I must guard against self-indulgence of every type or kind. Self-indulgence is idol worship and I am the idol. My focus will be on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as my teachers, leaders and protectors of my life. I will live to please God and bring my body into subjection and surrender to God’s will for me.

    P.     Father; without your help I can’t live a holy life, think holy thoughts or be a holy man.                        Cleans me, fill me, lead me and hold my hand that I do not stumble or fail. May the world see              Jesus living through me, Amen.

Times of testing are opportunities to either serve God or serve yourself. The more we serve God the more we speak his word, the more we sacrifice the more likely we are to win another soul into the Kingdom of God. What most people need in this world is a relationship with God. We can aid them in this discovery by being living examples, being consistent, loving, sin-avoiding and Christ-like. You know what I am saying......."Be a Christian", real, happy, and holy.

S.O,A.P.

1-3-2015         Romans 1:16-17

S.       16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

O.      Declare the gospel and find faith.

A.      I will live, speak and be a living example of faith. I will learn to think, feel and react to life’s events as Jesus did when he walked as a man. I will use the gospel as my guide and rule of life and share with as many as possible.

P.     Father; I cannot find my way alone, be my guide, teacher and friend and may the world see 

        you in me. Amen.

Happy

Happy is the man whose God is the Lord! I am happy, happy as a man, happy as a husband, happy as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, I'm just happy in every way. Not that temporary, situational happy that comes and goes. I am soul happy, from the inside out, complete and satisfied. I am a blessed man. I have been made whole through Jesus and our relationship......therefore I am happy!

S.O.A.P.

12-23-2014    Mark 14:43-52

S.       43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.47And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.50 And they all forsook him, and fled.51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

O.      Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss and all the disciples forsake Jesus.

A.      A kiss is a token of love. True love can never betray, ridicule, abandon or vanish. I will learn true love and because of that love I will follow Jesus. I will follow in good times and bad, in times of plenty and times of want, in health and sickness I will live my love.

P.       Father; Fill me so full of your love that I may spill out that love to all I meet today. May people see you, in me, today! Amen.

I Love God!

God is pouring out his glory on me today. I am ministering to more people than ever before in my life. God is healing sick bodies, clearing clouded minds, repairing broken homes and filling his church up with his Holy Spirit. These ARE the last days. Jesus will soon split the eastern sky and call his own to himself. Oh how I want to be ready......ready to fly into his presence, to see him face to face, to banish all doubt and fear from my mind.......Lord, wash me clean, I repent, fill me with faith. You died for me, so I will live for you.......I love the Lord.

S.O.A.P.

12-16-2014    Mark 14:1-9

S.       1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

O.      Jesus is anointed by a woman with an alabaster box of expensive oil. His disciples thought it to be a waste but Jesus tells of his coming death and a need to be anointed.

A.      I must learn the meanings of life’s events from God’s perspective. I will ask for understanding, wisdom and patience……then……..wait (patience), apply (wisdom) and grow (understanding) in each event of life.

P        Father; Open my eyes, fill me with your glory and reveal to me your plan for this day. Amen.

Paul in Rome

9-4-2014         Acts 28:29-31

S.       29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

O.      Paul lives as a free man in Rome and uses this freedom to spread the gospel.

A.      I must live the life of a free man, free from sin, shame and free from regret. I will keep myself from wickedness by clinging to Jesus and his word. I will commune with the Lord, listen and obey using my freedom wisely to the saving of my soul and as many other souls as possible.

P.       Father; I come to you weak to be made strong. I come to you hungry to be made full. I come to you lost that I may be found. I come to you to serve, use me as you will. Amen.

Ordinary Days?

8-26-2014           Acts 27:1-8

S.       1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

O.      Paul’s final leg of his journey to Rome begins under Julius, a understanding and fair, centurion.

A.      These were long weary days of difficult travel. Changing ships often, uncomfortable lodgings and many schedule disruptions. No great miracles or events are mentioned, just ordinary life and struggles. We must face days like these often and keep our faith strong and our joy intact. God is the God of the ordinary day just as he is in the day of miracles.

P.       Father; Keep me strong and encouraged through the ordinary days of life. Help me to show your joy to others and be an example of a happy servant. Amen.

Apposing Views

8-24-2014      Acts 26:24-29

S.       24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

O.      Festus thinks Paul to be out of his mind (mad) and Agrippa is almost persuaded to become a Christian.

A.      Some will reject and some will accept the message of faith in God. We must tell, tell and re-tell so that many can be saved. Time is short. The lost are many. The workers are so few. We must not be self-centered, looking after our own needs only; we must spread the good news to the lost.

P.       Father; Open our eyes and let us see how few are ready to stand at your Judgment Seat. Stir our souls with a passion for the lost and dyeing. Use us Lord while there is time. Amen.

New Town, Same Message.

6-25-2014      Acts 17:1-9

S.       1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

O.      Thessalonica is the next city to hear the news of Jesus. Once again trouble is stirred up by un-believing Jews.

A.      Some will hear and believe and others will reject the message of Jesus. I must remember it is Jesus they are rejecting and not to be offended.

P.       Father; renew my energy, fill my heart and lead me to the ones that will hear and believe. Amen.

What------You Are Seeing Things.

5-24-2014      Acts 12: 12-17

S.       12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

O.      People have trouble believing when God performs a miracle. Peter needed to be persistent at his knocking to enter in and change the minds of the doubters. Peter wanted the message of his deliverance shared with the leaders of the Jerusalem church.

A.      I must never let up in my efforts to spread the gospel message, even when people are walking in un-belief.

P.       Father; give me boldness and help me to endure in the days when so few people believe in you or your miracles. Amen.

Christians

5-20-2014      Acts 11:25-26

S.       25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

O.      The name “Christian” is first used to describe the followers of Jesus.

A.      To be a Christian is a wonderful blessing. To have my sin removed from all heavenly records and never worry about it being used against me. People should see me as a Christian because of how I live and speak, as a reflection of Jesus living in me. Not by some group I have joined or symbol I wear. “Not all that say Lord, Lord will enter Heaven”.

P.       Father; help me be a living example of your love and forgiveness. Amen.

5-18-2014      Acts 11:19-21

S.       19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

O.      Holy Ghost filled Gentiles are now preaching to anyone and everyone that will listen. Many are being turned to the faith. Up to this point the message was only being told to the Jews by those fleeing persecution in Jerusalem.

A.      Even when I am in difficult situations the message must be spread. I must look to the Holy Spirit in my problems and difficulties to help me share Jesus.

P.       Father; Fill me to the full today, anoint my mind, hands and voice to preach Jesus. Amen.