Together

"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;"

Philippians 1:27

Together! We need each other to stand firm and strive for the faith. Christians, are you praying for each other? Are you holding anyone accountable? Is anyone holding you accountable? If not, fix it! We need each other! I need you! I ask you to pray for me and I want to pray for you. Respond with the word "Pray" if you will pray for me. I will pray for you too!

In His Grip, 

Ace Alexander

Strong

"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:10

Standing for Christ can result in insults, distress, persecutions and difficulties. But, in this weakness we can find strength that does not come from ourselves. What difficulties are you facing? Are you willing to invite Christ into your situation and trust Him to strengthen you?

In His Grip, 

Ace Alexander

Work

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

Colossians 3:23-24

On average, we spend the majority of our time around other people. These people are observing our actions. Our work ethics should not be based on our income levels. Our Lord should get the honor for our service! Work for God today!!!

In His Grip,

Ace Alexander

Letter

"being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

2 Corinthians 3:3

What kind of letter are you writing? Who's hearts are you writing on?

God has given us the right to change people's lives by our actions. Thank you Lord for trusting me with Your ministry! Thank God for giving you such a great opportunity!

In His Grip,

Ace Alexander

Judging

"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves."

1 Corinthians 5:12-13

Here is a pretty big problem with Christians today. Let's fix it! I hear Christians say, "don't judge me." But, that statement doesn't make sense. As Christians we enter into an accountability with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ when we choose God's gift of salvation. If another Christian judges you then that is considered accountability. Allow yourself to be examined by other Christians! Ask a fellow Christian to examine (judge) your walk today!

In His Grip, 

Ace Alexander

Cross

"For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."

Colossians 1:19-20

From the first sin, mankind had been at odds with God Almighty. His holiness and perfection kept us from being in perfect union with Him. BUT, God made peace with mankind and patched the broken relationship with the cross! The CROSS!!! The most powerful and freeing gift known to mankind! Take a moment to say a special thanks to your Creator for making peace through the cross!

In His Grip,

Ace Alexander

And

"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;"

Romans 10:9

And! Do you see it? AND! It's right in the middle of this scripture. Confess AND believe! Don't be a shallow Christian. God commands us to confess Him. He also demands us to believe that He has defeated sin and death and one day we will spend eternity with Him!

Do you believe this? Do you? Then confess it! Not once for salvation, but everyday. Confess Him as Lord of your life. Confess with you mouth and your actions!

In His Grip, 

Ace Alexander

Written

"And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ”

Luke 4:4

"IT IS WRITTEN!" Powerful words! These words should become every Christians defense. When we go through struggles, trials or tough times we need to learn from Jesus that our ideas and answers are not enough. If Jesus, who is perfect, needed to use the Word of God to defeat Satan, then how much more do you and I need it? Use God's Word to accomplish your goals and defeat your struggles! Pray with scripture! Try it today!

In His Grip, 

Ace Alexander

Friend

"Seeing their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven you.'"

Luke 5:20

Wow! THEIR FAITH! Faith moves the hand of God! In John 5, some men lowered their friend from a roof for Jesus to heal him and Jesus healed the man by his friends faith. How often do you pray for your friends? No... I mean really pray! Not just a quick, "God help them, "but a real effort to bring your friend to Christ for healing or help!  Pray for a friend tonight. Let your friend know right now that you are praying for them! Facebook them, you can really change someone's life!

In His Grip,

Ace Alexander

Accurate

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."

2 Timothy 2:15

Two words stand out in this scripture to me... diligent and accurately! These word express what I am to do with God's Word! I am to be diligent with His Word and handle it accurately. This tells me I need to stay in His Word and study it so I can share it accurately with others. Christians, we need to fall in love with God's Word and study it often!

In His Grip, 

Ace Alexander

Who

"For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."

Colossians 3:3-4

Verse 4 says, "When Christ, who is our life..." 

"Who is our life..." 

"Our LIFE" 

Christ is our LIFE!

The only way we can live eternally with a sinless God is to be hidden in Christ. Being hidden in Christ means that Christ IS our LIFE! He is... the One who lives for us, how we live, and what we live for.

Have you been crucified with Christ? Who will live today in your place, you or Christ?

In His Grip,

Ace Alexander

Cancelled

"having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."

Colossians 2:14

"It is FINISHED!"  Jesus cancelled the debt! No more! I am now right with God! Not by my actions, but by His! Praise God you too are perfect in God's eyes if you have accepted His FREE gift of cancelation. Take a moment to thank Him for the greatest thing you have ever received!!! Your sin debt is CANCELLED!

In His Grip,

Ace Alexander

Know

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand"

John 10:27-28

Jesus assures us of His faithful intention to hold on to us. We tend to read this scripture and focus on what God says He will do, but read it again and see what we are called to do! First, we are to be His sheep. Second, hear His voice. Third, follow Him. 

In His Grip, 

Ace Alexander

Present

"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach."

Colossians 1:22-23

Jesus has made me holy in order to present me to the Father as perfect! This is the only way I could ever spend eternity with my Creator. Give God thanks today for taking your sin and making you holy!

In His Grip,

Ace Alexander

Set

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

Colossians 3:2

You have the choice today to place your thoughts here on earthly things or to focus on things above. But, we must keep in mind that an earthly mindset will result in an earthly outcome and a heavenly mindset will result in a heavenly outcome!

In His Grip, 

Ace Alexander

Possible

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 

-Ephesians 2:8

In the 10th chapter of the book of Mark, Jesus explains the difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom of God. His disciples question Him in verse 26 by asking, "who can be saved?" In verse 27 Jesus reply's, "with people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." 

We must be reminded that grace is a gift and the only part we have in it is accepting it. God's grace goes beyond salvation and continues into our daily walk with Him. Thank God today for His amazing gift!

Consider

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus," -Philippians 2:3-5

Do nothing from selfishness! Ouch! Am I the only one who felt the slap in the face? Try considering everyone around you today as more important than yourself! Let's try it together people!

In His Grip,

Ace Alexander

Test

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? -2 Corinthians 13:5

Paul brings us a great challenge! A challenge to examine and test ourselves. When was the last time you reviewed your walk? Do you need to fall in love with Christ again?  Are you spending time daily to hear from your Creator?

Sent

“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." John 17:18

Jesus prays for His disciples in John 17 and makes the comparison of God sending Him into the world to Himself sending His disciples into the world. This should change our perspective as disciple! Knowing that we are sent out to share God's Truth just like Jesus was sent to do the same. 

Christians, we have a big job and we need each other to complete it!

Shine

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 

Christians, we must realize that our "good works" will effect how others glorify God! Our light, or lack of it, is seen by those around us. God is worth the glory of mankind and we need to not hinder His glorification!

Serve

Today we must make many decisions. One of those choices is, who/what will we serve. Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other..." What master will you choose to serve today? Who will you be devoted to today? Start your day by making this decision before it is made for you!

Yoke

 A yoke is used when two animals are placed together to accomplish a common goal or duty. In Matthew chapter 11 Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” -Matthew 11:29-30. It is assuring that we can join in with Christ to accomplish His purpose. Jesus' yoke is His teaching and as disciples we should take His yoke and join in with Him in our lives. Give God thanks for being willing to invite you into His yoke!

Action

It is easy to tell someone you love them. It is easy to tell someone, "I will pray for you." We must be aware of our actions and be sure that our love is active. How do you "show" your love? The actions of love are your deeds. Deeds are not what save you, they are the results of your salvation. 1 John 3:18 says, "let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." Show those you love today that you love them. Show them with deeds and truth that they are worth more than words. Take a moment today to show your Creator God that you love Him with action and not just words. Remember, God showed us His love. He could have just said He loved us, but He came to earth and gave His life to reveal His love for us.

New

What an opportunity we have!!! We are new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." Too often we associate ourselves with the person we were before we met Christ and begin to identify ourselves from a perspective of shame. Try reminding yourself today that you are new and that God sees you as this new creature. Isaiah 43:18-19 says, "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder on the past. Behold, I will do something new..." Thank God He did! You and I are new if we are in Christ.

Walk

In the fifth chapter of Paul's book to the Ephesians, Paul urges us to be imitators of God. It is very difficult to imitate someone who you do not know. We must become familiar with God's person and Word in order to begin to love what He loves and hate what He hates. Only then can we "walk" as children of Light. Ephesians 5:8 - "for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord, walk as children of Light." 

Help

In the ninth chapter of the Book of Mark, we meet a man who's son is in need of help. The man ask Jesus for help and cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief." This is so real! Isn't it amazing to serve a God who we can be real with? Have you ever asked God to Help Your Unbelief?

Plan

Even when I mess things up, God has a plan! Thank you, Lord. Romans 8:28

Duty

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2

      As a Christian I am aware that God's Word has clear instructions for me as a follower of Christ.  These instructions are my duties and responsibilities. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul, gives instruction to preach, reprove, rebuke and exhort. We are told to do these duties with great patience and instruction. We are also told to be ready in season and out of season. To preach means to publicly proclaim or teach. I must ask myself two questions, "What do I need to work on to be ready to proclaim Christ during any season of my life?" and "Am I posturing myself in a way to properly correct and encourage those around me?"

Ask yourself the same questions... What answers do you get?