Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 3.20- Fire alarm. Since 11.29.21 until today we have been dealing with fire alarm problems. We called the company to replace a florescent light transformer. Our house had old fire alarms and they suggested replacing them. They did. Then we had a recurring false alarm. Waited a couple of weeks for an appointment. Then when the man was gone five minutes a different alarm malfunctioned. I called them back. They came and he is replacing this alarm. All have been nice and doing the best they can. I wonder what would happen if my alarm went off and I assumed no fire and there was a fire. Is my heart/soul alarm beeping to warn of a danger to my spiritual walk and I ignore it. I hope not. Lord help me to be sensitive to your warnings and respond well. 1 Timothy 1. 18  This command I entrust to you, Timothy,  my   [ k ] son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,   19  keeping faith and a good conscience, which some hav

 3.19- Ash-Heap Christians                            I Corinthians 3:5-15                            Joe Stowell     Someone once asked me why she should be like Jesus now since she would become like Him when she got to heaven (1 John 3:1-3). Great question! Especially when it’s easier to just be yourself.     Actually, there are several reasons why becoming like Him now is important, but one is near the top. When we see and stand before Him, we will give an account as to whether or not we lived in ways that were consistent with His will. Or, as Paul put it, whether or not we have built on Him as our foundation with “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, [or] straw” (I Corinthians 3:12-13).     All that we do to advance His kingdom – things like contribute to the strength of His church, serve the poor and needy, and promote righteousness and justice as He did – is like building with essential materials that will survive the fire of His judgment. On the contrary, building

 3.18- Muscling Through                     2 Chronicles 20:2-3, 14-22                      Kirsten Holmberg     Competitive bodybuilders put themselves through a rigorous training cycle. During the initial months, they emphasize gaining size and strength. As the competition nears, the focus shifts to losing any fat that hides the muscle. In the final days before the competition, they consume less water than normal so their muscle tissue is easily visible. Because of the reduce consumption of nourishment, the competitors are actually at their weakest on the day of competition, despite appearing strong.     In 2 Chronicles 20, we read of the opposite reality: acknowledging weakness in order to experience God’s strength. “A vast army is coming against you,” people told King Jehoshaphat. So “he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (verse 3), depriving himself and all his people of nourishment. Then they asked God for help. When he finally mustered his military, Jehoshaphat placed singers

 3.17- No Line to Love                                  Isaiah 40:3-10                                   James Banks     Sometimes when my Labrador retriever wants attention, he’ll take something of mine and parade it in front of me. One morning as I as writing at the desk with my back turned, Max snatched my wallet and ran off. But realizing I hadn’t seen him do it, he returned and nudged me with his nose—wallet in mouth, eyes dancing, tail wagging, taunting me to play.     Max’s antics made me laugh, but they also reminded me of my limitations when it comes to being attentive to others. So often I’ve intended to spend time with family or friends, but other things occupy my time and awareness; and before I know it the day slips away and love is left undone.     How comforting to know that our heavenly Father is so great that He’s able to attend to each of us in the most intimate ways—even sustaining every breath in our lungs for as long as we live. He promises His people, “Even

 3.16- James Merritt Bitterness is the prison you allow someone else to build that you voluntarily walk into. Forgiveness is the key you use to walk out when you realize you shouldn’t be there and you don’t have to stay there and the key was in your pocket the entire time. Ephesians 4.   30  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,  [ w ] by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.   31  All bitterness, wrath, anger,  [ x ] clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.   32  Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each o Ephesians 5, 5  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;   2  and walk in love, just as Christ also loved  [ a ] you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God  [ b ] as a fragrant aroma.

 3.15 Kevin Cook tells a story that needs to be told and retold. “At an informal gathering of mostly strangers, Clifford, a 30ish young man, was surprised to see, Mr. Sanders, an older version of his grade school teacher. He was standing alone, drinking a cup of coffee, just a few feet away.” “Clifford walked up and blurted out, ‘You remember me?’” Smiles all around, but a blank stare, “I’m Clifford, I was one of your students, years ago.” After a bit, the old man asked, “‘What do you do, now?’” “Clifford responded, ‘Well, I became a teacher. Just like you.’ And he continued, ‘I became a teacher because of you.’” “‘What did I do to inspire you to be a teacher?’” “I’ll tell you the exact day. A friend of mine, also a student, came in with a nice new pocket watch, and I decided I wanted it.’” “‘So I snuck it out of his pocket. I stole it.’” “‘Shortly after, my friend noticed that his watch was missing and immediately complained to you.’” “‘You announced to the class, ‘This student's

 3.14- Memories of Fern Pierce.   Acts 9:36-37   Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means Dorcas); this woman was excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did  habitually .     But it happened at that time that she became sick and died; In Aurora there was this disciple named Fern Pierce.  She was excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually.      When she died all the people stood around weeping and showing all the things that they had that reminded them of the things she did with them while she was with them.       Her home. The meal prep.  Jerry was her assistant.  Caught him not folding the mixture. “Jerry, you are stirring, not folding.”  Jerry said, “You are just a frustrated school lunchroom manager with no one to manage but me.” Everyone laughed. Glorious, heavenly feast table setting. Her rolls.  Her salads.  Her desserts were to die for and the table conversation was hilarious and meaningful.     Her church