Simple Grace

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 2/8/11 Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15 - Simple Grace

S- Acts 15:10 JBP, "Why then must you now strain the patience of God by trying to put on the shoulders of these disciples a burden which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Surely the fact is that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved by faith, just as they are!"

O - Some disciples from Jerusalem had traveled to Antioch and began to place "The Law" on the shoulders of Non-Jewish Believers. But James admitted that not even the Jewish fathers had been able to bear the Law!  So they discussed this dilemma and decided to send a letter with simple words of encouragement, releasing these people from further expectations.  It is by Grace that we are all saved. Period.

A- Do we sometimes make the gospel too complicated?  Do we put too many works on people, others as well as ourselves? Jesus has done it all - we are to live in that. Look at the results of Grace - v 31, "They handed over the letter to them. And they, when they read it, were delighted with the encouragement it gave them."  Let's encourage others with the Gospel of Grace, not Works and Law. Let's stop "straining the patience of God!"

P - Father, I believe we have it all mixed up... Old Covenant and New. Teach us the difference and the ability to walk free of Law and simply in the Life of Jesus.  

Monday Feb. 7, 2011 Lev. 4-6; Act. 14 S- "Power of Influence" Acts

Monday Feb. 7, 2011

Lev. 4-6; Act. 14

S- "Power of Influence" Acts 14:4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.

O- Paul & Barnabus went to Jewish synagogue to preach the message to the Jews and Gentiles. Those that did not believe in what they were saying, used their opinions to influence those who were believing the word, and poisoned their minds, to turn follow their influence and not the influence of Paul & Branabus. Thus, the city became divided.

A-Our opinions are not always the truth, it's jut our opinion of what we think and feel are the truth. When we use our opinions to sway and influence others, it's not good, especially if it is in a negative way. False statements can poison the minds of even the open-minded. It is so important for us to get our information first-hand rather than from others. God wants us to speak with pure hearts and minds, and not just give our opinion. God influencers is what He is looking for.

P-Father, help me to keep my opinion to myself, especially if it is about another person. Teach me to see things through your eyes and not judge and wrongly accuse.

Let us be God-influencer that work together for the Kingdom and not influence a divide, with a negative opinion. Unity and pure hearts and minds is what I long for. Amen

True Disciples

S: Acts 13:46 – Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first but since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold we turn to the gentiles.
O: Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They preached first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. The Jews looked down upon the Gentiles and because they did not find them “worthy” of receiving God’s word the Jews themselves rejected the words of the disciples and did not receive the gift of everlasting life.
A: We must be careful not to fall into that same trap. We are not called to pick and choose who receives salvation. We are simply called to spread the good news to all nations, to all people. If we are obedient to what God has told us to do – that means we will share the message with sinner and saint alike. Jesus was ridiculed for hanging out with sinners. We are called to be true disciples of Christ – to follow in his footsteps. To boldly call sin for what it is and offer those trapped by it a way out. No matter who they are. No matter what they have done. God offers each of us a way out. There was a time I was not deserving of salvation but God used some amazing people to offer it to me anyway. I owe God my life. I am eternally grateful that those people did not judge me by what I looked like on the outside but instead put their arms around me and offered me a new way of life.
P: Father God thank you for offering me a way out. Let me not judge who else deserves to be set free but to offer everyone around the freedom that I have found through a relationship with you. Thank you that there is freedom for everyone!

Who do I Honor?

S - Ps. 15:4b "...honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent."

O - IN this Psalm, we see what God values. He values character expressed in our day to day life. We should do what is right, be truthful, and use our words not to hurt but to help. We should keep our promises and our integrity. Then the Psalmist delves deeper moving form our outward actions to our inward thoughts, asking us to think about what we value and who we honor? In our society, we often value ability and productivity above character, so we value a profane football player or a singer or actor who is ungodly and indecent. Even in the church, we often honor people with great ability and turn a blind eye to how they treat people and how they live their lives. According to this scripture, we are not to honor vile people, and we are to value and honor people of character. What would it be like if in our homes, our workplaces, our churches, and our media, we took time to honor people of outstanding character?

A - Who can I publically honor today for their character?

P - Lord, help me to be a person of character and a person who actively values and honors people of character?

Exodus 37,38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

“WHAT ARE WE THINKING”
S--Psalm 19:14a; “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight…”

O--The Psalmist was talking about the laws of the Lord and how they kept him from falling into sin; and his own desires to please God in every area of his life.

A--In this Psalm we hear how David wanted to please God, not only in word and deed, but also in his thought life. He wanted to be holy and pleasing to God. Our thought life can either lead us into feeling like victims or to bring us into vulnerability and victory. No one knows what we are thinking…so who cares? God cares. Instead of thinking about “how they’ve done me wrong…“ we need to be thinking on “how do I forgive and go on.“ Instead of thinking “it’s not fair” we need to be thinking “help me see Your hand in this situation.“ To be pleasing to Him we need to be able to meditate on things that are pure, holy, and of good report…these are the things we need to be spending our thought life on.

P--Father, I want to be like the Psalmist… I want every area of my life to be pleasing to You. Please help me when my mind starts to wander towards the negative and bring me back to dwell on the beauty of Your love and provision for me. My desire is to be pleasing to You. I need Your help.

Thursday Feb. 3, 2011 Exodus 35 & 36 Acts. 10 "We all have a Gift" S- Exodus 36:7 Because what they already had was more than enough to do all the

Thursday Feb. 3, 2011

Exodus 35 & 36 Acts. 10

"We all have a Gift"

S- Exodus 36:7 Because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

O-The Lord sent Moses into the lands to gather up all the gifts and talents to help with the construction of the temple. There was an over abundance of gifts and offerings, ad the Lord had to say

"enough.....we do not need anymore gifts or offerings." Those that He called, came with great hearts and ready to give their all.

A- Wow, there was some Synergy happening for the Tabernacle. So much energy and excitement to bring their gifts and talents to make it all happen.The Lord called them, to bring all their gifts and talents to move towards the same accomplishment and the same goal. This shows us how

God gives us all different gifts and talents and each one is used and needed for God's purpose...we each have a Purpose. If we take our gifts and talents and use them for God's purpose we can do so much. The tabernacle

was HUGE job, BUT GOD already had all that was needed in the hearts of the people, they just needed to say "Yes" and bring them forward.. God can do many wonderful things when we are willing and able to give with what He has given us. Can you imagine what we could do in our church or community, school, work place if we all took our gifts and talents and work together for the same purpose....Wow!

P- Oh Lord, let know God given talent or gift go to waste, or feel useless. You have given each of your children a gift and talent, please reveal them to those who cannot see it, and then help us to put it to use for the Kingdom. The body of Christ is made up of many gifts and talents.....help us to orchestrate and put those gift and talents to work for our church, and to have a synergy while doing so.

Thank you for my gifts and talents, use them for your Glory and your Kingdom:) Amen

BE ENCOURAGED!

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - February 2, 2011 - Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

S - Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

O - During this time of peace, the church became strong; it did not weaken from lack of activity. People were revering the Lord, Holy Spirit encouraged them and more people came to the Lord.

A - Holy Spirit is an encourager! Be encouraged! My friends who are down and depressed, listen up! To live in fear of the Lord means to follow His commands. Respect Him, worship Him. The early church did this and they were strengthened and encouraged. Allow yourself to be encouraged. Allow myself to be encouraged? Yes. Dwell on the goodness and glory of our Lord. When we constantly dwell on our personal troubles, we get into a selfish swirley which prevents us from looking UP. Look up. Be encouraged.

P - Lord, help me to stop complaining and being discouraged. Draw my eyes to You as I follow You and not my own circumstances. Holy Spirit, I welcome You with open arms. Encourage me, in Jesus' name I pray.