Richard Craig, Author at GraceAndWorks - Page 54 of 59

Dec 14
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Where’s Your Focus?

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The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. It’s that time of the year that we shop ’til we drop. We have a list of those who we care most about and set about to find the best gift ever. Cost is no problem, I’ll just pay  for it later. The stress is about to overwhelm me and I know the depression of it all will hit later. I think I’ll listen to some songs. Here comes Santa Claus, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty The Snow Man, etc.  Oh, yeah, I have to have all those special “Goodies.” Fudge, popcorn balls, cookies, turkey, ham, and the list goes on. WELL, now I have to go buy groceries!! Don’t forget “TIS THE SEASON TO REMEMBER JESUS!!

I’ve have read and heard it said that we need to put “Christ” back in CHRISTmas. I agree, but, I think we need to understand why. Christ came to this earth to live in human form and set an example for us to live by. He lived on this earth, died on this earth, was buried on this earth and was resurrected to sit on the right hand of His Father in Heaven. He came to seek and save the lost–That’s you and me!! Don’t forget ‘TIS THE SEASON TO REMEMBER JESUS!!

I have also read and heard it said that we need to put Christ back into CHRISTian. How do we do that? By studying the life of Christ, how he lived and what he did while on this earth. His life, death, burial and resurrection directly parallels Baptism. We live, die to our sins, are buried with Him in Baptism, resurrected up out of that water to live a new life. Living the new life means to live righteous and be obedient unto death. Just like Jesus did.  Philippians Chapter 2 explains and directs us on how to live.  Don’t forget ‘TIS THE SEASON TO REMEMBER JESUS!!

Where is YOUR focus? Christ’s Church was set up on the Day of Pentecost. Christians remember Jesus every day and Worship with Him every Sunday (1st day of the week) as directed in Acts. We commune with Him every Sun as is also directed in Acts. So if we want to put Christ back in CHRISTian, we need to focus each and every day not just at Christmas time. Don’t forget EVERYDAY “Tis The Season To Remember Christ!!”

SMILE God loves YOU!!! Have a good day all.

Dec 12
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John 14:12-17

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“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will He do because I go to the Father. Whatever ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you, for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; you know Him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you.”

Dec 11
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Matthew 5:14-20

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“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GIVE GLORY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, til heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called the least in kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Dec 10
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Philippians 2:1-8

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So if there is any encouragement in Christ, and incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourself. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves which you have in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled himself and became OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, even death on a cross.

Dec 09
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Hebrews 5:7-9

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In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard for all His Godly fear. Although He was a Son, HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE through what He suffered; and being made perfect He became the source of eternal salvation to ALL WHO OBEY HIM.

Dec 08
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2nd Timothy 2:14-17

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Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth. Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will eat its way like gangrene.

Dec 07
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Spiritual Cancer

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Cancer by definition is: A) A malignant tumor characterized by potentially unlimited growth with expansion by invasion and systemic by metastasis. B) An abnormal state marked by such tumors. C) A SOURCE OF EVIL. D) An enlarged tumor like growth. E) Disease marked by such growths.

There are several types of  Spiritual Cancer: lying, false teaching, lack of brotherly love, greed, gossip, anger, lack of study, forsaking the assembly, not caring about others, living in a “Me” world, etc.

There is a difference between physical and spiritual cancer. Physical cancer can sometimes be treated and cured, sometimes in cannot and it takes your life. Spiritual Cancer is always treatable and cured by God’s Word and His forgiveness. Left untreated, it will take away Eternal Life with God. I think two of the worst are: Gossip and Anger.

Gossip by definition is: A) A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts. B) Rumor of intimate nature. C) Chatty talk. In Proverbs, God tells us that he who slanders is foolish. A tail bearer reveals secrets and we are not to associate with those who speak foolishly. In Ephesians, God says Slander grieves the Holy Spirit, and in Titus, God says speak evil of no one. Gossip is a source of evil and is a Spiritual Cancer that needs to be cut out of our lives. It goes against everything that God teaches us. It is treatable!!

Anger by definition is: A) Ire, rage, indignation, wrath. Anger is the general term for the emotional reaction of extreme displeasure and suggests neither a definite degree of intensity nor a necessarily outward manifestation. Rage is a loss of self control from violence of emotion. Wrath may imply either rage or indignation, but suggests strongly a desire or intent to avenge or punish. In Genesis, God says anger is cursed and it is forbidden and in Psalms He says to refrain from Anger. In Ephesians God says, Do not be quick to anger and in Colossians He says to put Anger away–Put to death. Anger is a source of evil and is a Spiritual Cancer that needs to be cut out of our lives. It goes against everything God teaches us. It is treatable!!

If you nave a Spiritual Cancer in your life, go to God’s Word and treat it. Don’t let it kill you Spiritually to the extent that you lose your Salvation. .

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.

Dec 05
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Hebrews 10:23-26

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Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, NOT NEGLECTING TO MEET TOGETHER, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.

Dec 04
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James 5:7-12

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Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors. As an example of suffering and patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation.

Dec 03
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James 1:12-16

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Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted with evil and He Himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.