365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 155

My bible study group is studying the book of Hebrews which I have read is one of the books that seem to be avoided because it makes you really face yourself and your walk with the Lord. The latest section we have studied is about how Jesus is greater than Aaron the High Priest. I never have thought of Jesus as anything but above us all in everyway so reading this you begin to understand a bit of how difficult it was for early believers especially those who grew up with the teachings of the Old Testament. All they knew is they would go to the High Priest to offer their sacrifice for grace to be given. One of the things that distinguish Jesus from other High Priests is how we can go to him anytime and anywhere and receive both mercy and grace. The Israelites couldn’t do this with their High Priest. This definition from the commentary by Warren W Wiersbe is so revealing: “Mercy means that God does not give us what we do deserve; grace means that He gives us what we do not deserve.” How awesome it is to have a Priest and King we can approach anytime and anywhere in every circumstance who will give us the grace and mercy we need because he loves us so.

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 17

The next part of the phrase in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13 is “it (love) keeps no record of wrongs”. I keep thinking of a judge looking at a list of crimes with the defendant standing before him. I hope that there aren’t people out there like that who hold our sins over us but we are only human. I don’t necessarily think that it’s that you remember the sins but that those wrongs are still affecting you in a negative way especially towards the sinner. Sins aren’t going to be erased from our memories but with the Holy Spirit we can erase the negative affects through grace and mercy.

If you harbor any memories of sins against you that bring a bad taste to your mouth, perhaps it is time for some Holy Spirit mouthwash. Let the Holy Spirit help you to have mercy and grace for those who have sinned against you. And as Jesus tells us, it is not about the number of times we forgive someone but that we do.

Matthew 18:22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 295

I was eagerly anticipating a phone call from my church yesterday to hear about the final decision for the admin assistant position I have been interviewing for. The call came but the final decision didn't. They still haven't decided and so the HR guy asked for some  names of people I worked with in my volunteering at the church. This morning I decided to take some more initiative in giving them some help with their decision and completed a spiritual inventory which I will send in a card to the HR guy and the Head of Staff. I wasn't surprised by the results. The top 4 were: Administration, Encouragement, Knowledge and Teaching followed as a close second with Sheparding, Mercy, Wisdom and Leadership.  It was good to do this test again and see that some of my spiritual gifts have grown like Knowledge, Sheparding and Mercy. I am very grateful to God for this whole opportunity as it further shows me the gifts he's given me and those that I can work with and grow with. If you want to take a spirtiual inventory to get a better idea of what part of the body of Christ your gifts are called for, you can do the one at www.first-pres.org  Look under the Serve tab at top and than the Serve the Church tab on the left.  I would love to hear what gifts God has given to you and how you want to use them.
1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.