Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 2.5- Can you think of beautiful things that were done for you this week? I had a good friend to call me this week and his wife is also a good friend. They both wanted to speak to me and to encourage me and to see how I was doing. They didn’t really realize how much speaking to both of them would build me up that day. The beautiful things that are done to bless others are especially appreciated the closer we get to finishing our journey on this earth. I think when we are young and very busy and highly engaged in our work and raising our families that we don’t really have the time or awareness of beautiful things that are done to convey love to us. As Jesus was getting toward the end of His life there was this beautiful thing that was done for him that blessed Him greatly it seems. A woman friend had a jar of very expensive perfume that she poured out on his head. Some who observed this act said that it was ”wasteful” but Jesus said it was “beautiful”. It makes me think of the most

 2.4- A friend is someone who tells you hard truth and helps carry you through it to the joy that lies beyond it. John 21. 21  Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. [ a ]  It happened this way:   2  Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus [ b ] ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.   3  “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4  Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5  He called out to them,  “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6  He said,  “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7  Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard

 2.3- How then shall we live? If it is true that as Jews and Christians have believed for 5,000 years that there is hope of life after our earthly life is over how shall we live? We choose to stay alert to pray for God's help to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. We can treat those who serve us as we would want to be treated. LlWe can live as a person who has been forgiven and forgive others as we have been forgiven. We can walk with confidence as someone created in the image of God. We can work to build bridges instead of walls. We can dare to see the point of view of others. We can allow God to fill us with new mercy every morning. We can tell our family about the grace, mercy and peace God has given us. Matthew 24. 45  “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?   46  It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.   47  T

 2.2- Adversity helps us to rely on God more than other sources. There is a song written over 3,000 years ago. "Some trust in horses and some in chariots but we will remember the name of our God." Fanny Crosby is a famous blind song writer. A surgeon was trying to correct her vision it didn't work and she became blind. Someone asked if she met that doctor what would she say to him. "I would say thank you giving me a great life writing songs about God." Psalm 20 Psalm 20 [ a ] For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1  May the  Lord  answer you when you are in distress;      may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2  May he send you help from the sanctuary      and grant you support from Zion. 3  May he remember all your sacrifices      and accept your burnt offerings. [ b ] 4  May he give you the desire of your heart      and make all your plans succeed. 5  May we shout for joy over your victory      and lift up our banners in the name of our God. Ma

 2.1- When we encounter hate it is important to be careful with our responses. The teacher said love your enemies. Bless those who insult you. Pray for those who mistreat you. As they were murdering him he prayed. "Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." Matthew 5. 43  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor [ i ]  and hate your enemy.’   44  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,   45  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.   46  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?   47  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?   48  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1.31- Today is one of the most beautiful January days I have ever seen. Very still. Radiant sunshine. My trees have two squirrels chasing each other, wrestling each others having a ball. The heaven's are declaring the glory of God. The skies are proclaiming the work of his hand. They communicate without words that God is love. The radiance reminds me of a couple so in love making their vows in marriage after waiting and planning the perfect day for special day. Nothing refreshes the soul like knowing that there is a God and He is love. Psalm 19 Psalm 19 [ a ] For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1  The heavens declare the glory of God;      the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2  Day after day they pour forth speech;      night after night they reveal knowledge. 3  They have no speech, they use no words;      no sound is heard from them. 4  Yet their voice [ b ]  goes out into all the earth,      their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a

 1.30- Be bold to know what you want or need and ask for it. Others may tell us to quit asking for things. Jesus came to such a man who was blind and ask what do you want? His answer was of course his sight. Jesus taught His followers to ask, seek and knock. The active verb is best translated,"keep on asking, seeking and knocking" and remember our God is generous. This week I have a certain prayer request I have been repeating for months. Today I heard a "yes" from God on this request. Matthew 20. 29  As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.   30  Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31  The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32  Jesus stopped and called them.  “What do you want me to do for you?”  he asked. 33  “Lord,” they answered, “we want