Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

11.25- There are rewards and punishments based on the amount of knowledge you had.   Some of us grew up with generous people and some of us grew up with greedy people.   Some of us were well taught about these matters and some were not blessed with much knowledge. Luke 12. 41  Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” 42  And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his [ u ] servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43  Blessed is that slave whom his [ v ] master finds so doing when he comes. 44  Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45  But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master [ w ] will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46  the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not kno

11.25- Jesus saw a world where He was born where there was war and division.  He saw religion which was meant to spread peace and love spreading division, war and hate.  This was the world He was born into.  This Christmas season let's be reminded to stay focused on love and peace and not money and gifts for ourselves. 1 Timothy 6. 3  If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not [ d ] agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4  he is conceited and understands nothing; but he [ e ] has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5  and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that [ f ] godliness is a means of gain. 6  But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take an

11.24- When Jesus observed women being attacked and used and abused he stood up for them. How can you be a follower of Jesus and be a supporter of those who abuse them? There are many people who are more interested in political power than doing the right thing. This is the reason Jesus was so harsh toward religious/political leaders of His generation. Russell Moore is right when he says: “nominal, culturally Christian “religion.” It is predatory, soul-twisting, covers over violence and racism and molestation. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings life and joy and rest and peace.” “Christian, if you cannot say definitively, no matter what, that adults creeping on teenage girls is wrong, do not tell me how you stand against moral relativism.” “A church that worships Jesus stands up for vulnerable women and girls. A church that worships power sees them as expendable.” “There are girls and women in our churches, right now, wondering where they can turn as they

11.23- Today is the day to: Soften your heart to hear of God’s love for you. Encourage someone with a kind word. To hold tight to our assurance that we are God’s children. To remember that God understands your weakness and knows how to strengthen you. To draw near to God with confidence that you will receive mercy and grace to help you in your time of need. To reflect and learn from your time of suffering.   Hebrews 3.7 7  Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “ Today if you hear His voice , 8  Do not harden your hearts as [ b ] when they provoked Me , As in the day of trial in the wilderness , Hebrews 3. 12  Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart [ c ] that falls away from the living God. 13  But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14  For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast