Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 10.16- For over 5,000 years human beings have reflected on what happens to them when they leave life on this earth. Jewish people wrote that those who left were “gathered to their people”. Followers of Jesus wrote that “he was taken up before their eyes” A short time later, Stephen, one of the followers of Jesus spoke of the resurrection of Jesus. The crowd stoned him to death. He said that he saw Jesus in heaven standing at the right hand of God. As he died he prayed that God would not hold this sin against them. I cannot explain 2022 years of Jesus’ followers behavior except for His resurrection and ascension. Belief in this reality changes everything. Jesus in heaven opens the path for all of His followers to go to heaven also by His mercy and grace. This is good news for all of us who believe in Him. Acts 1. 1  In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach   2  until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Ho

 10.15- I had two dreams last night or this morning. The first one was a place where I was trying to explain God’s love to children who had sat down to listen. Something was wrong with the way I was saying it and they either couldn’t understand it or they got bored and just walked away. The second dream was a church meeting where there were several men gathered and the larger part of the group also just walked away and left a small group remaining. I seemed rather discouraged or confused and all I knew to do was pray. Then I woke up. If you are a student of Jesus I hope you are learning with me that He desires mercy for people seven days a week and not being difficult just to be difficult. I am looking for the most interesting, loving and direct way to communicate and explain things that are important to those I love. I know that God is a God of justice and so we stand up for justice. I know that if we fill our hearts with good thoughts, then good words will be more likely to come o

 10.14- If you want to help someone today just be open to them and let them know that you have space in your life for friends who are wear and burdened. Some are disoriented by a death that has destroyed their life. Some have high blood pressure that is about to cause a stroke and big life change. Some are seeing their children, grandchildren and others close to them make disastrous, life changing decisions without real consideration of the long term consequences. They need a friend who is gentle and humble and willing to pray with them and for them and they will never forget the little things you do for them. Extend the spirit of rest in your friendship to them and it will be a small thing that makes a big difference. Matthew 11. 28  “Come to me, all you 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 rest for your souls.   30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 10.13- It is more helpful to pray for others than to condemn and judge them. Remember who your Father in heaven is as you pray to Him. Psalm 84 and 85 remind us God is a shield for us. God restores us. God forgives us. God covers our sins. God turns away from His fierce anger. God revives us again and again. God shows us how to rejoice in Him. God is full of unfailing love. God promises peace to us. God provides a meeting place for righteousness and peace. God gives His children what is good. This is our Father in heaven whom we approach in prayer. So we should keep on asking, seeking and knocking. He desires that we would be honest and open hearted as we strive to not only hear His word, but practice His word. Psalm 85 Psalm 85 [ a ] For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. 1  You,  Lord , showed favor to your land;      you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2  You forgave the iniquity of your people      and covered all their sins. [ b ] 3  You set aside all your wrat

 10.12- History records for the last 2500 years that If you are a child of God. If your life has been uprooted as a discipline from God, you can be sure that when you admit the truth of your situation and turn way from your self destructive conduct and you have hit bottom, bottom, bottom, then He is ready to bless you and set you up with a feast of joy. Nothing makes heaven happier than a wayward prodigal coming home. Jeremiah 12. 14 This is what the LORD says: “As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the people of Judah from among them. 15 But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country.

 10.11- 93 billion light years is the diameter of the observable universe. God's thoughts are that much higher than the thoughts of the smartest human. When we think we have it figured out we don't. Isaiah 55. 8  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,      neither are your ways my ways,” declares the  Lord . 9  “As the heavens are higher than the earth,      so are my ways higher than your ways      and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 10.10- History records for the last 2500 years that If you are a child of God. If your life has been uprooted as a discipline from God, you can be sure that when you admit the truth of your situation and turn way from your self destructive conduct and you have hit bottom, bottom, bottom, then He is ready to bless you and set you up with a feast of joy. Nothing makes heaven happier than a wayward prodigal coming home. Jeremiah 12. 14 This is what the LORD says: “As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the people of Judah from among them. 15 But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country.