Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

We have already seen what happens when a group of people is judged as unfit. Blacks. Jews. Homosexuals. Muslims. Mexicans. Women. We don’t need to go through that again. Not in my country. John 4.27 27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn’t believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it. Is a white Hitler better than a black Jesse Owens? Is a gentile Hitler better than a Jewish Victor Frankl? Is a prodigal son better than a self righteous elder brother? No. Both need the mercy of a good, good Father. That who He is.

Matthew 17. 17  1-3  Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him. 4  Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?” 5  While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.” 6-8  When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus. 9  Coming d

Matthew 16. 21-22  Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!” 23  But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.” 24-26  Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? 27-28  “Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the

Matthew 16. 13  When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?” 14  They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15  He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?” 16  Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17-18  Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. 19  “And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers bet

Politics uses money and power to force certain changes in people. Jesus said that the position of humility was the place of blessing. The apostle Paul was very effective as a broken down sinner in need of grace. When he tried to accomplish his goals with force and power he failed.  He used his position to embrace the stoning of a godly man. When he moved into the position of seeing himself as a sinner saved by the mercy of God he was greatly blessed.  Luke 18. 9  Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes t

The position of blessing God be merciful to me the sinner. When we move from this position we lose the blessing. When we move into being arrogant and self righteous we lose the blessing. When we move into playing the role of God and judging others we lose the blessing. When we ask God to be merciful to us as sinners we align ourselves with the truth that is within our hearts.  It aligns with the truth of Jesus Christ.  It aligns with the truth of our own family and beloved friends and supporters. The truth sets us free enjoy life and be fruitful and grow. The reception of mercy allows us to pass it generously to others. Luke 18. 9  Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax

Matthew 16 16  1-4  Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them. He told them, “You have a saying that goes, ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.’ You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can’t you read the signs of the times? An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders. The only sign you’ll get is the Jonah sign.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away. 5-6  On their way to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring along bread. In the meantime, Jesus said to them, “Keep a sharp eye out for Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.” 7-12  Thinking he was scolding them for forgetting bread, they discussed in whispers what to do. Jesus knew what they were doing and said, “Why all these worried whispers about forgetting the bread? Runt believers! Haven’t you caught on yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves of bread and the five

Matthew 15. 32  But Jesus wasn’t finished with them. He called his disciples and said, “I hurt for these people. For three days now they’ve been with me, and now they have nothing to eat. I can’t send them away without a meal—they’d probably collapse on the road.” 33  His disciples said, “But where in this deserted place are you going to dig up enough food for a meal?” 34-39  Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they said, “plus a few fish.” At that, Jesus directed the people to sit down. He took the seven loaves and the fish. After giving thanks, he divided it up and gave it to the people. Everyone ate. They had all they wanted. It took seven large baskets to collect the leftovers. Over four thousand people ate their fill at that meal. After Jesus sent them away, he climbed in the boat and crossed over to the Magadan hills. Psalm 44. All day we parade God’s praise—      we thank you by name over and over. 9-12  But now you’ve walked off a

Matthew 15. 32  Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 33  Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?” 34  Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” 35  So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36  And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. 37  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. 38  Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39  And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala. [ g ] Psalm 44. 8  In

Matthew 15. 29  Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30  Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. 31  So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Psalm 44. 44  We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old: 2  You drove out the nations with Your hand, But them You planted; You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out. 3  For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them. 4  You are my King, O God; [ b ] Command [ c ] victories for Jacob. 5  Through You we will push dow