Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 7.30- I have noticed that the best leaders are servant leaders. They do the very hardest jobs. They do the jobs that others think they want to do but they really soon find out they don’t want to do. They stand and say “No.” to themselves and others to foolish, lazy answers. They show that the impossible can be done by doing it. There is a benefit they enjoy. The love and companionship of others who are helping with the hardest of tasks. When they finish these hardest of jobs they die in purpose and peace. Matthew 20. 20  Then the mother of the  [ m ] sons of Zebedee came to  [ n ] Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.   21  And He said to her,  “What do you desire?”  She *said to Him, “Say that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine shall sit, one at Your right, and one at Your left.”   22  But Jesus replied,  “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”  They *said to Him, “We are able.”   23  He *said to

 7.29- Things you will not regret. Forgiving others as you have been forgiven. Treating children with care, respect and kindness. Being pleasant and cheerful. Thinking before you speak. Being both gracious and truthful. Holding on to good convictions. Keeping your eyes on your own paper. Doing whatever you do with passion and excellence. Larry Wishard 7.19.23 1 Corinthians 13 13  If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.   2  If I have  the gift of  prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.   3  And if I give away all my possessions  to charity , and if I surrender my body so that I may  [ a ] glory, but do not have love, it does me no good. 4  Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant.   5  It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own  benefit ; it is

 7.28- Have you had your eyes opened regarding how important children are? Who took care of you the first few months of your life? Who was your first teacher in preschool or kindergarten? Do you know people who hear you want to be a teacher and say, "You could do better." Our maker said children are the greatest. Mama from Mama's (aka. Carol Wishard) trailer served great food yesterday. She is also a Sunday school teacher and loves children and like God she loves and serves anyone and everyone. Wise choice for all you who teach children. I'm not sure if you could do better than helping children. Let's use this month to pray for a great school year. Matthew 18 18  At that  [ a ] time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”   2  And He called a child to Himself and set him among them,   3  and said,  “Truly I say to you, unless you  [ b ] change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.   4  So

 7.27- 7.17.67. I was making mental and emotional preparations for my new life with Sheila as I drove from her home to mine. There we would have wedding shower thrown for us at the home of Beau and Hazell Hicks by many of the wonderful women from Oak Ridge church.. At my parents home we gathered the gifts putting them in the Selfs pick up. We took them to our first apartment in Abilene, 600 Square feet. Small kitchen, small bathroom one other room. Study. living room, bedroom, family room, guest bedroom and media room all in one room. Two families would contribute to make one new family starting in this little space. We had almost nothing and we needed even less. We had each other. The thought of the commitment of marriage scared me to death. So on this day, 7.17.67 I had a day of dedicating or redicating my life to God. My life was never the same after this 56 years ago. Thank you to the one who created me and recreated me. Thanks for 56 of great memories. Romans 6 6  What shall we sa

 7.26- The human experience includes times of feeling alone and times when we are with a crowd of strangers and feel alone. There are times of deep sadness when we shouldn't be alone. There are times of joy that are so personal and private that to share them with others would seem prideful. I watched the women's Wimbleton championships yesterday. The women's winner was unseeded and last year was in a cast on her wrist after surgery. She was speechless in a way. The loser had gotten so close in years before and was favored in the match. She was speechless. I had a great week last week. Met some amazing new friends. Had good, deep encounters with old friends. And last night I was swept and overwhelmed with feeling alone. My best friend who who died on the cross as my ransom said the words of a1000 year old Psalm as He was finishing His marathon run on earth. "My God, my God, why... Have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27. 45  Now from the  [ aa ] sixth hour darkness  [ ab