Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

Mark 7. 20  He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21  For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22  adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23  All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Psalm 2 Psalm 2 1  Why do the nations conspire [ a ]      and the peoples plot in vain? 2  The kings of the earth rise up      and the rulers band together      against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3  “Let us break their chains      and throw off their shackles.” 4  The One enthroned in heaven laughs;      the Lord scoffs at them. 5  He rebukes them in his anger      and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6  “I have installed my king      on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7  I will proclaim the Lord ’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son;      today I have become your father. 8  Ask me,      and I will make the nation

Mark 11. 22  “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23  “Truly [ f ] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [26]  [ g ] Psalm 1 1  Blessed is the one      who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take      or sit in the company of mockers, 2  but whose delight is in the law of the Lord ,      and who meditates on his law day and night. 3  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,      which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—      whatever they do prospers. 4  Not so the wicked!      They are like cha

Luke 7. 36  When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39  When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40  Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41  “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, [ c ] and the other fifty. 42  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 

John 10. 11  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12  The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17  The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothin

Ron Rose reminded me this morning of an early story in one of Max Lucado's books Years ago, my friend, Max Lucado, told me a story. A poor Brazilian single parent, named Maria and her daughter Christina, were living in a little village on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Christina was 15, strong-willed and desperate for excitement. She dreamed of the day when she would leave this "do nothing" village and live in the lights of Rio. Then one day, without warning, Christina was gone. Her note said she was headed to the city. Maria was devastated. She took on extra jobs, sold household items, gathered all her savings, and bought a bus ticket to Rio. At the station she found a photo kiosk; there she spent all she had left for pictures of herself. Once in Rio, Maria searched everywhere for her defiant daughter. She left a picture of herself at each place she visited. She didn't find Christina, or anyone who knew her, but she left lots of pictures. fi

John 3. 16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19  This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. Psalm 26. Vindicate me, Lord ,      for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord      and have not faltered. 2  Test me, Lord , and try me,      examine my he

Revelation 21. 6  He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of lif e. Psalm 63. Psalm 63 [ a ] A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. 1  You, God, are my God,      earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you,      my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land      where there is no water. 2  I have seen you in the sanctuary      and beheld your power and your glory. 3  Because your love is better than life,      my lips will glorify you. 4  I will praise you as long as I live,      and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5  I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;      with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6  On my bed I remember you;      I think of you through the watches of the night. 7  Because you are my help,      I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8  I cling to you;      your right hand upholds me.

Revelation 21. 4  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ [ b ] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Psalm 67. May God be gracious to us and bless us      and make his face shine on us— [ b ] 2  so that your ways may be known on earth,      your salvation among all nations. 3  May the peoples praise you, God;      may all the peoples praise you. 4  May the nations be glad and sing for joy,      for you rule the peoples with equity      and guide the nations of the earth. 5  May the peoples praise you, God;      may all the peoples praise you. 6  The land yields its harvest;      God, our God, blesses us. 7  May God bless us still,      so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Hebrews 13. 5  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you;      never will I forsake you.” [ a ] Psalm 136. Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good. His love endures forever. 2  Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3  Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4  to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5  who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6  who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7  who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8  the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9  the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

Matthew 28. 20  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Psalm 61. Hear my cry, O God;      listen to my prayer. 2  From the ends of the earth I call to you,      I call as my heart grows faint;      lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3  For you have been my refuge,      a strong tower against the foe. 4  I long to dwell in your tent forever      and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. [ b ] 5  For you, God, have heard my vows;      you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6  Increase the days of the king’s life,      his years for many generations. 7  May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;      appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. 8  Then I will ever sing in praise of your name      and fulfill my vows day after day.

Acts 18. 10  For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city. Psalm 124 If the Lord had not been on our side—      let Israel say— 2  if the Lord had not been on our side      when people attacked us, 3  they would have swallowed us alive      when their anger flared against us; 4  the flood would have engulfed us,      the torrent would have swept over us, 5  the raging waters      would have swept us away. 6  Praise be to the Lord ,      who has not let us be torn by their teeth. 7  We have escaped like a bird      from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken,      and we have escaped. 8  Our help is in the name of the Lord ,      the Maker of heaven and earth.

Ephesians 3.20 20  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Psalm 62. Truly my soul finds rest in God;      my salvation comes from him. 2  Truly he is my rock and my salvation;      he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 3  How long will you assault me?      Would all of you throw me down—      this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 4  Surely they intend to topple me      from my lofty place;      they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless,      but in their hearts they curse. [ b ] 5  Yes, my soul, find rest in God;      my hope comes from him. 6  Truly he is my rock and my salvation;      he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7  My salvation and my honor depend on God [ c ] ;      he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8  Trust in him at all times, you people;      pour out your hearts to him,      for God is our refuge. 9  Surely the lowborn are but a breath,      th

Much in the news today about “Fake News” Which is the fake news report? Set of facts A Matthew 28. 8  So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Set of facts B 11  While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12  When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13  telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14  If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15  So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this sto

Galations 6. 9  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Psalm 67 May God be gracious to us and bless us      and make his face shine on us— [ b ] 2  so that your ways may be known on earth,      your salvation among all nations. 3  May the peoples praise you, God;      may all the peoples praise you. 4  May the nations be glad and sing for joy,      for you rule the peoples with equity      and guide the nations of the earth. 5  May the peoples praise you, God;      may all the peoples praise you. 6  The land yields its harvest;      God, our God, blesses us. 7  May God bless us still,      so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

2 Corinthians 5. 17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: [ a ] The old has gone, the new is here! Psalm 80 1  Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,      you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,      shine forth 2  before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might;      come and save us. 3  Restore us, O God;      make your face shine on us,      that we may be saved. 4  How long, Lord God Almighty,      will your anger smolder      against the prayers of your people? 5  You have fed them with the bread of tears;      you have made them drink tears by the bowlful. 6  You have made us an object of derision [ b ] to our neighbors,      and our enemies mock us. 7  Restore us, God Almighty;      make your face shine on us,      that we may be saved.  

Revelation 22. 14  “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Psalm 69 Save me, O God,      for the waters have come up to my neck. 2  I sink in the miry depths,      where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters;      the floods engulf me. 3  I am worn out calling for help;      my throat is parched. My eyes fail,      looking for my God. 4  Those who hate me without reason      outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause,      those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore      what I did not steal.

1 Corinthians 10. 13  No temptation [ c ] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted [ d ] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, [ e ] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Psalm 73 Surely God is good to Israel,      to those who are pure in heart. 2  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;      I had nearly lost my foothold. 3  For I envied the arrogant      when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4  They have no struggles;      their bodies are healthy and strong. [ a ] 5  They are free from common human burdens;      they are not plagued by human ills. 6  Therefore pride is their necklace;      they clothe themselves with violence. 7  From their callous hearts comes iniquity [ b ] ;      their evil imaginations have no limits. 8  They scoff, and speak with malice;      with arrogance they threaten oppression. 9  Their mouths lay claim to heaven,      and their tongues ta