Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

8.31- Today I met with a guy who is a successful grandfather.  He has a grandson who is a school principal and a granddaughter who is a young teacher.  They meet together as a large family for Sunday lunch to talk about their faith walk together.  What  rich life?  Well not exactly.  He had to have surgery to have an eye ball removed.  He still has clear vision in one eye and in the eyes of his heart.  He walks by faith, not by sight. John 9. 35  Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36  He answered, “Who is He, [ e ] Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37  Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” 38  And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. 39  And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” 40  Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him,

8.30- Most people don’t enjoy reading books for hours on end. I certainly didn’t for the first part of my life. Mrs. Hembree, my Fannindel High School English teacher, has been mentioned a few times in my Facebook posts. She required that all her students be challenged to be the best they could be in English. I was a farm kid that loved to play and have fun, but I was not that interested in academics and working hard in the thought life of reading good books. I thought I would be a farmer or later I thought I would be a business man, grocer or teacher/coach. I didn’t like reading books that much. Prior to my vocation as a minister I was a public school teacher and coach. I was forced to study hard in the books in order to make the subject exciting or me and my students. Many public schools have various electives they can offer and BHISD, Boles Home ISD, offered “Bible” to a bunch of high school boys. I was only 22 years old and some of my students were 18

8.29- By all means teach.  When absolutely necessary use words.  The best way to teach those who must live with our mess daily about the best way of life is not by our words, but by example. 1 Timothy 4. 16  Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will [ g ] ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you 1 Peter 3. 3  In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2  as they observe your chaste and [ a ] respectful behavior.    

8.28- The more you need to receive forgiveness and receive it, the more love you have for the one who has forgiven you. To realize our need of grace and mercy and to admit it is to be vulnerable.  This requires courage. Luk7. 40  And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he [ ad ] replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41  “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred [ ae ] denarii, and the other fifty. 42  When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43  Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44  Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45  You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46  You did not anoint My head with oi

8.26- John was a teacher who had a very strict way of life for his life.  Jesus was known as one who hung out with gluttons and other sinners.  People refused to repent at the preaching of both.  To repent means to change your mind and change your heart and you actions.  It is common for very religious people who talk about God a lot to be unwilling to change their own lives.  Jesus said people found reasons to resist repentance. Those who know God have a way of life that is very different from the world.  They are interested in the blind and the lame.  The world is not.  Proverbs 20. 24  Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord , How then can man understand his way?   Jesus' followers march to a the beat of a different drum.  His way wins in the long run of life.  The world is looking for short term pleasure, God is looking out for the compassion and love for humanity. "It is more blessed to give than receive."  Acts 20.35 There are people who look for you and

8.25- There are times that foolish things are presented to us.  The answer needs to be "No."  Not  "maybe.  Not "I'll think about it."  Just "No." Foolish ideas have been presented to Godly people forever.  Sometimes the evil one presents them as an opportunity for God to use angels to rescue us.  When you needing to get some place it is good to use a way to get there that is not foolish.  They way to get down off a high place is to take the stairs.  If someone presents a foolish way to get someplace the answer is to say, "No."  Jesus did not jump off the pinnacle of the temple.  He said, "No."  He reminds us to not do foolish things to test and tempt God.  Just say, "No."  Matthew 4. 4  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2  And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He [ a ] then became hungry. 3  And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are t