Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

9.14- What have you been discussing?  The weather.  The Cowboys.  The Rangers. Sometimes we need to move a bit deeper to discuss with each other the meaning of life and where is our life headed.  What happens to people when they die?  I realize that is a heavy discussion, but it is important. Luke 24. 13  And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was [ d ] about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14  And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16  But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17  And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18  One of them , named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You [ e ] the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in thes

9.13- Evidence of God.  I spent the first 33 years of my life looking at the lovely rolling hills of North Texas.  I assumed for most of my years here that God had created these hills.  The next 33 years I lived in Colorado and was astounded every day at the overwhelming beauty of the rockies.  How could anyone look at these and not believe in God.  These are evidence of God. The empty tomb is another evidence of God.  For the last 2019 years the church has been celebrating the empty tomb on Easter Sunday and every Sunday as we surround the Lord's table. Luke 24. 24  But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3  but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5  and as the women were terrified and bowed their

9.11- Jesus released His Spirit into His Father's hands. Life on year for Jesus was about 33 years.  Regardless of how many years we live on earth is seems like a vapor or early fog or dew on the grass.  So the years glide away and at last we must release our last breath.  At that moment we move to into the judgment and forever life with God or separated from God.  Our decisions of whether to accept His love and grace are very important at that moment. Luke 23. 44  It was now about [ p ] the sixth hour, and darkness [ q ] fell over the whole land until [ r ] the ninth hour, 45  [ s ] because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn [ t ] in two. 46  And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit .” Having said this, He breathed His last. 47  Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was [ u ] innocent.” 48  And all the crowds who came together for this sp

9.10- When Jesus was abused and one of the criminals being killed with Him wanted to keep trying to use Jesus Christ for His own benefit.  The other criminal confessed the truth and confessed that He believed that Jesus was coming back in His kingdom.  The second criminal dying with Jesus heard these words of love and grace, "Today you will be with me in paradise."  It is not too late for us today to appeal to truth and grace as our way to live instead of using God to get our own way. Luke 23. 39  One of the criminals who were hanged there was [ l ] hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the [ m ] Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40  But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41  And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving [ n ] what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42  And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come [ o ] in You

9.9- We who are children of God have been released from the prison of our guilt and shame by Jesus taking our place.  We are Barabbas. Redeemed Big Daddy Weave Seems like all I can see was the struggle Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past Bound up in shackles of all my failures Wondering how long is this gonna last Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son Stop fighting a fight that's already been won" I am redeemed, You set me free So I'll shake off theses heavy chains And wipe away every stain now I'm not who I used to be I am redeemed I'm redeemed All my life I have been called unworthy Named by the voice of my shame and regret But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head" I remember oh God, You're not done with me yet I am redeemed, You set me free So I'll shake off theses heavy chains And wipe away every stain now I'm not who I used to be Because I … I am redeemed, You set me free So I'

9.8- Don’t dissipate your energy in drunkenness or worry or anything.   Worry can be overcome by the refreshment of forgiveness.   How good when God won’t take your sins into account. 1 Timothy 1. 12  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13  even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14  and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15  It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all . 16  Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those [ l ] who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17  Now to the King [ m ] eternal, immortal, invisible, the o