Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 8.29- Walking on Water                               Matthew 14                                    Marion Stroud     When I learned to sail, I had to walk along a very unsteady floating platform to reach the little boats in which we had our lessons. I hated it. I don’t have a good sense of balance and was terrified of falling between the platform and the boat as I attempted to get in. I nearly gave up. “Fix your eyes on me,” said the instructor. “I’m here, and I’ll catch you if you slip.” I did what he said, and I am now the proud possessor of a basic sailing proficiency certificate!     Do you avoid taking risks at all costs? Many of us are reluctant to step out of our comfort zones in case we fail, get hurt, or look stupid. But if we allow that fear to bind us, we’ll end up afraid to do anything.     The story of Peter’s water walking adventure and why it supposedly failed is a popular choice for preachers (Matthew 14:22-33). But I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of them discu

 8.28-   A change in behavior begins with a change in the heart. The supreme need in every hour of difficulty is a vision of God. Jesus may come any time, so we should be ready all the time. We are beautiful masterpieces designed by God. Romans 12. 12  Therefore I urge you, brothers  and sisters , by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice,  [ a ] acceptable to God,  which is  your  [ b ] spiritual service of worship.   2  And do not be conformed to this  [ c ] world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may  [ d ] prove what the will of God is, that which is good and  [ e ] acceptable and perfect.

 8.27- Letters Home                   Nehemiah 8:5-12                                   Tim Gustafson     Far from home and training for World War II, American recruits in basic training turned to humor and correspondence to cope with the challenges they faced. In one letter home a young man described the vaccination process with wonderful exaggeration: “Two medical officers chased us with harpoons. They grabbed us and pinned us to the floor and stuck one in each arm.”     Yet one soldier began to realize that humor could only take him so far. Then he received a Bible. “I enjoy it very much and I read it every night,” he wrote. “I never realized you could learn so much from a Bible.”     Long ago, the Jewish exiles returned home after years of slavery in Babylon to find their problems came with them. As they struggled to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, they faced opposition from enemies, famine and their own sin. Amid their troubles, they turned to God’s Word. They were surprised at w

 8.26- Even if                                        Daniel 3:8-18                                        Alyson Kieda     Sometimes life deals us a tremendous blow. Other times the miraculous happens.     Three young men, captives in Babylon, stood in front of the fearsome king of that land and boldly proclaimed that under no circumstances would they worship the giant image of gold towering above them. Together they declared: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know . . . we will not . . . worship the image” (Daniel 3:16-18).     These three men - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – were hurled into the fiery furnace; and God miraculously delivered them so that no a hair on their head was singed and the clothing was smoke-free (Daniel 1:19-27). They had been prepared to die, but their trust in God was unwavering – “even if” He had not sa

 8.25- Don’t Touch the Fence                Jeremiah 18:1-12                     Jennifer Benson Schuldt     As a young girl I went with my parents to visit my great-grandmother, who lived near a farm. Her yard was enclosed by an electric fence, which prevented cows from grazing on her grass. When I asked my parents if I could play outside, they consented, but explained that touching the fence would result in an electric shock.      Unfortunately, I ignored their warning, put a finger to the barbed wire, and was zapped by an electrical current strong enough to teach a cow a lesson. I knew then that my parents had warned me because they loved me and didn’t want me to get hurt.      When God saw the ancient Israelites in Jerusalem crafting and worshiping idols, He “sent word to them   . . . again and again because He had pity on the people” (2 Chronicles 36:15). God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, but the people said, “We will continue with our own plans” (Jeremiah 18:12). Beca

 8.24- Choose joy. Decide to run with people who make you laugh at life. Walk away from those who don't welcome you with openess. Don't take their negative attitude with you. Partner with people who trust you and cause you to smile at the future. Philippians 4. 4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!   5  Let your gentle  spirit  be known to all people. The Lord is  [ d ] near.   6  Do not  [ e ] be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.   7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all  [ f ] comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 8.23- Our family and close friends who are family are a great cloud of witnesses of the power of love to overcome all of our messy moments. What great picture the Olympics is of overcoming all challenges and most Victor's giving credit to the circle of family and friends. This weekend those of us who are NFL fans will hear speeches and credit will again be given to a circle of family and friends. God gives us a hint to look for the power of God in a great cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 11. 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:13 NIV