Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 5.2- For my friends moving to heaven soon. Precious is the day when God allows one of his children to take their last breath on old earth and their next one in heaven. He promised, and he cannot lie, that Jesus takes them home with him. The apostles who died to spread his good news saw him ascend through the clouds. Stephen and others died seeing him welcoming them across life marathon's finish line. Yes, there is valley to go through to get there but we have a friend who has shown us the way through and turned sadness into hope for us. Our father in heaven says, "I will never leave you or forsake you." That's his promise. Hebrews 13 5  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you;      never will I forsake you.” [ a ] 6  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.      What can mere mortals do to me?” [ b ]

 5.1- Openess. Transparency. Open to be known by God, ourselves and others. This was our creators design. Free choice was a part of how he made us. Then we rebel and hide and games get us off track. He puts a drive in us for love, growth and new opportunities for learning. Some of these bring learning through suffering. The people who help us most help us to be truthful, loving and gracious. At peace with ourselves and others. John 17 17  After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.   2  For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.   3  Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.   4  I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.   5  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

 4.30- There are behaviors that bring failure and regret. Betrayal of friends and family in secret for personal gain is one of these. Loyalty to doing what is right something that needs no cover up and no deceit. Life can train through pain to avoid loser choices. God tells His children that He will be with them through all the circumstances of life and even death to give a victory. It's always the right time to do the right thing. We all mess up. Forgiveness is the key to getting back on track for all of us. I heard my nephew, Keith Luttrell, teach on forgiveness this morning by telling this story: There was a picture of a little child running down the street screaming without any clothes on because her village had been bombed with napalm. This was one of the most seen images of the Viet Nam war. The little girl grew up and learned that forgiveness was the key to a happy life. She said if she ever met the man who dropped the bomb she would forgive him. The man who flew the plane

 4.29- I have spoken in the last few days with men and women who are ranging from 50 to 80 years plus and something has come up in our conversation that has concerned me. Its about forgiveness. People who have turned away from bad behaviors and moved to a life of trying to do the right things, but the memory of the bad things deeps coming back to them. As children of God He promises to forgive and forget to those who sincerely turn to Him. Still, then after forgiveness why is the memory left in our memory banks. I am not sure, but I believe it remains there in our minds to guide us in helping others to believe in forgiveness and to help us to remember the reality of the words of the song, “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.” I was thankful to use the bridge of our partnership to remind each of them to be willing to receive forgiveness and pass it along to others as fully as possible. Matthew 18 15  “If your brother or sister [ b ]  sins, [ c ]  go and point out their fault, just bet

 4.28- Love. What a gift from God. We receive it from our parents if we are blessed. I know many have experienced totally joyous love also from spouses. How many of you who read this have great grandchildren who love you and also have a driver's license? I know one. Many have kids and grandkids that deeply care for them. Do you have friends who would lay down their life for you? You are fortunate. God is love. True healthy love flows from the heart of God into our hearts. Romans 5 5  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we [ a ]  have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   2  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we [ b ]  boast in the hope of the glory of God.   3  Not only so, but we [ c ]  also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   4  perseverance, character; and character, hope.   5  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out int

 4.27- Family and friends, We began the skin cancer healing journey on 12.28.23 and 16 weeks and 4 days later I have been healed and ready for my first shower. I want to thank God who is my healer in all things. Dr's. Nurses Jeff and Amy and all you my prayer partners. Much love to all of you. Larry Wishard 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 our sight.” 34  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. All reactions: 8 Amy Wishard Goggins, Tom Wishard and 6 others

 4.26- That Blueboods family dinner table on Friday night. They had deep disagreements there. They have had reunions with family members that not been known about as a long lost son of a boy who had been killed in the line of duty. They sent some kids off to college. They had enemies loved into being friends. That kind of story is made up by the writers but it is rooted in a story that is not fiction but the absolute truth from heaven. There is a scene from a movie, Places in the Heart, where the sheriff killed by a teenager receives the communion cup from him in heaven. The bread plate is passed from a hypocrite repentant deacon husband to his forgiving wife. The family table is a table of grace and mercy. I hope you have one. Matthew 26 22  Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:   2  “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.   3  He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to