Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 10.17- We love reading the Scriptures in an understandable, English translation. We owe the scholars who studied Hebrew, Greek and other languages to provide this for us. Some were burned at the stake for doing so. Sheila and I try to follow rules from Jesus. We mess up on a daily basis and need a lot of grace and mercy. We don't follow religious rules written by men and especially those that are the opposite of the life and teachings of Jesus. Matthew 12. 12  [ a ] At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads  of grain  and eat.   2  Now when the Pharisees saw  this , they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath!”   3  But He said to them,  “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions—   4  how he entered the house of God, and they ate the  [ b ] consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him,

 10.16- God’s Unfailing Love                            Hosea 10:9-15                              David McCasland     The Old Testament book of Hosea is the story of God’s faithful love for His unfaithful people. In what seems strange to us, the Lord commanded Hosea to marry a woman who would break her marriage vows and bring grief to him (Hosea 1:2-3). After she deserted Hosea for other men, the Lord told him to take her back – a picture of “the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods” (Hosea   3:1).     Later, Hosea was called upon to tell the Israelites that because of their rebellion against the Lord, they would be carried away into captivity by a foreign power. “Tumult shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be plundered” (Hosea 10:14).     Yet in the midst of their sin and punishment, the grace of God toward His people was never exhausted. In a grace-filled exhortation, He said: “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mer

 10.15- When the Journey Gets Tough                        2 Corinthians 1:6-11                  Dave Branon     In August 2009, Blair and Ronna Martin lost their energetic 9-year-old son Matti when he was dragged to his death by a family cow. I had a chance to meet this Kenai, Alaska, family and share in their grief. And I know how tough this tragedy has been for them.     I also know that they are seeking God’s care and comfort for their pain. An observation made by Matti’s mom is valuable for anyone walking through one of life’s valleys. During one of her down times, Ronna was read 2 Corinthians 1:9, which says that “we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” She felt as if Jesus was telling her, “Ronna, I know the journey has been too much for you, and you are bone weary. Do not be ashamed of   your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.”     When the journey gets too tough to navigate, 2 Corinthians 1:9 is a

 10.14- Run to the Cross                        Hebrews 10:28-39                                      Anne Cetas     Whenever a tsunami warning is given on the northern coastline of Maui, Hawaii, the people living in Hana rush up the side of a mountain to a high place of safety. Nearby is a tall wooden cross that was placed there many years ago by missionaries. For their physical safety, people run to the area where the cross is located.     In a similar way, all of us need a place of spiritual safety. Why? Because the Lord gives us these warnings in His Word: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Hebrews 9:27 states “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” We might not like to think about what the consequences of our sin will be as we face a holy God, but it’s a serious thing “to fall into the hands of the living God” (Romans 10:31).     The good news is that out of love for us, The Fa

 10.13- NBC sports reported that the man who hit Dak Prescott 364 days ago and broke is leg is the same man who had himself been hit and was out for some time. Ryan Logan sent the books that had helped him to recover to Dak to help in his recovery. "Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will play the Giants on Sunday, which is 364 days since his compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle against the Giants in Week 5 last season at AT&T Stadium. Giants cornerback Logan Ryan was the defender who made the tackle on Prescott on the play. Ryansaid he encouraged Prescott during his rehab, having gone through something similar in 2018 when he broke his leg. 'So I had some books to help me get through it, and I sent him some books and, apparently, it helped him get through it,'Ryan said, via Garrett Stepien of SNY. “'hat was, obviously, my goal and intended, and I just wanted him to come back, come back a great quarterback, and he is.' ” After the game I saw Dak

 10.12- If you feel as weak as a little child.  If you are weary and burdened then Jesus is the teacher you need. Matthew 11. 25  [ u ] At that time Jesus said,  “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from  the  wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants.   26  Yes, Father, for this way was well pleasing in Your sight.   27  All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son determines to reveal  Him . 28  “Come to Me, all  [ v ] who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   29  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and  you will find   [ w ] rest for your souls .   30  For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”

 10.11 Was reminded yesterday of the saying "Better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps  silent , is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is  considered  prudent.