Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

9.22- We feel shame at how we are doing as a child of God. Is God listening to my prayers?  I need a shelter made of solid rock where I can retreat and feel secure. People are heartless and ruthless. I have hoped in God in my youthful days and I must go back to that church camp kind of hope. When I was born and removed from my mother's womb. Now in my old age I need to know that you God are still with me. Now I find I run out of strength before my jobs and done, but I need God to fill my weakness with His strength. Some think that God has forsaken me or never was with me or never even existed, But He has Not. God I need you to stay close to me now. I will reflect on all the mighty deeds of the Lord. We will focus on God's righteousness. As I am older now I desire declare God's strength to the next generation. I want to let my kids and grandkids and great grandkids know of the strength of God. My great God who has shown me many troubles but even

7.21- Someone who claims to be both a Christian and a leader, but be a servant, not a lord. Matthew 20. 20  Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to [ m ] Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21  And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She *said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” 22  But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.” 23  He *said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” 24  And hearing this , the ten became indignant with the two brothers. 25  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26  It is not this way among you, but

7.20-   All decisions have consequences.   God gives power and love and self control to His children.   Focus. There will be a change in where we go and who we go with when Jesus is our teacher.   He teaches His students to have compassion to the people who are broken.   There is an emptiness of soul that people feel when they are suffering.   In compassion Jesus’ followers visit the sick and those in prison. Some staff food banks and volunteer in hospice settings.   Fellowship and partnership gives them encouragement and strength to keep going when they are discouraged.   They feel like strangers in this world at times, but keep searching for guidance from God. Just as Jesus did they answer temptations to being less they can be with Scripture.   When God is top priority it will often impact the local culture and local business practices.   This will not be okay with those whose main interest is in money and business.   Matthew 19. 27  Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we

7.19  Luke 1. 1  Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things [ a ] accomplished among us, 2  just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning [ b ] were eyewitnesses and [ c ] servants of the [ d ] word, 3  it seemed fitting for me as well, having [ e ] investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4  so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been [ f ] taught. Reading the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John can truly make a big difference in a life. I have been a reader for many years and my favorite book is the Bible.  The Bible is really 66 books written by God's inspiration using over 40 writers during 1500 years. The importance of these four books is that they are an account of the life of Jesus on the earth.  His daily habits of life as well as His teachings.  Many of His values are the opposite of ours, but wi

7.18 Matthew 5. 14  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a [ f ] hill cannot be hidden; 15  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a [ g ] basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16  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.   Liu Xiaobo’s, the famous Chinese dissident passed recently. I read his Nobel Lecture I began to think about the kind of voice that is needed to share significant ideas on social media effectively. I placed his ideas into a list of resolutions for myself. I will lead a life of honesty, responsibility and dignity. I will have no enemies and no hatred. I will respect the integrity of others who disagree with me. I will respect the professions of others. I will remember that hatred rots away a person’s intelligence and conscience. I will remember that enemy mentality will poi

 7.17.67 Wheels, From Chariots to Cars and Airplanes This is a 65 Chevy Impala that was the first car Sheila and I bought together. Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the biggest change day in my life superceded only by our anniversary date. There is something about wheels and friendships that can lead us out of bad times into good ones. Many of my greatest friendships have been developed driving places. Today, 50 years ago was also a Monday. I got to thinking about this red letter day in my life. As I rode in this vehicle from my home in North Texas to Sheila's in South Texas I was frightened and confused. I did not know who I was and where I was going. There was a lack of understanding that was cleared up for me on that Monday. Some of it had to do with my approaching marriage but some was just needing to know about life with God. This journey with Him has had time sharing with friends on the wheels of cars and even