Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 8.25- Modern people don't see God because they don't look low enough. He's running to meet people coming out of the pig pen. Luke 15. 11  And He said,  “A man had two sons.   12  The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that  [ e ] is coming to me.’ And  so  he divided his  [ f ] wealth between them.   13  And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in  [ g ] wild living.   14  Now when he had  [ h ] spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without.   15  So he went and  [ i ] hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.   16  And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him  anything .   17  But when he came to  [ j ] his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have

 8.24- Know better. Do better. There was a time when people thought the answer to high blood pressure was to drain blood out of the person. There was a time when religion was thought to be more important than meeting people's needs A very religious priest and levite saw a man beaten by robbers in great bokenness and danger but these super religion focused people by passed him and went on to their religious service. The teacher said the good Samaritan stopped and helped. Then took him to others to help. He was truly a loving neighbor. God desires mercy not sacrifice. Usually we can go to our religious worship services and help people but don't forget the two great commands. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strentgh. Love your neighbor as yourself. We don't reduce our blood pressure by less love, but by better love. Know better. Do better. Luke 10. 30  Jesus replied and said,  “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they s

 8.23- Look at the scars on your body. Who was a part of you having them? Who was there to help you recover from them? Who taught you how to keep the wound clean and allow for grat healer to heal? How about the spiritual and emotional scars? The teacher made his own scars to heal the scars of Thomas' doubt that he had overcome death. Scars are a part of our connection with God and those who love us toward him John 20 26  [ f ] Eight days later His disciples were again inside, and Thomas  was  with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been  [ g ] shut, and stood in their midst and said,  “Peace  be  to you.”   27  Then He *said to Thomas,  “Place your finger here, and see My hands; and take your hand and put it into My side; and do not continue in disbelief, but  be  a believer.”   28  Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”   29  Jesus *said to him,  “Because you have seen Me, have you  now  believed? Blessed  are  they who did not see, and  yet  believed.”

 8.22- Our jobs, to be truly fulfilling, must help people. Our co workers, our customers, our clients and our students. If we travel to our work and within our work it is possible that we cross paths with people in need. One of my close friends told me of a man working for him and he got off track and into drugs and alcohol. He had come back from help and a job and yet he was not ready to handle the job. My friend was almost crying as he was describing the situation. The great teacher said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." My friend will pray find a way to help him to stop hurting himself and find a better path. A day when we help people to respect themselves and others is a good day. Mark 1 14  Now after John was  [ j ] taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee,  [ k ] preaching the gospel of God,   15  and saying,  “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God  [ l ] is at hand; repent and  [ m ] believe in the gospel.” 16  As He was going along the Sea

 8.21- Frustrations at work. People have been very patient with me through years. I have tried to quit jobs and my leaders would talk me out of quiting. With encouragement I tried again we overcame the problem. Great friends help us to overcome feelings of failure. Last week I spoke to a couple of friends who were feeling a sense of failure. I wanted simply to lift their spirits. Don't quit on trying to be a good spouse. Your feeling tired. Rest and pray and try again. Want to find the office where you resign as parents? It's not there. Want quit trying to reach your grandchild? No just yesterday a grandparent friend of mine found great success after 10 years of prayer. It's to soon to quit any good thing. I had a great job I was determined to quit and with encouragement I worked there 21 more years. All things are possible with God. Colossians 3 12  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness,  a

8.20- Mixed up god's. Someone was praying on television and my closed captions said this "Our Father in heaven, Hollywood be thy name" It was a good reminder to me. Is my God "hallowed" Or "Hollywood"? Regarding my priorities, my time and way of looking at what "good" and "bad". Galations 5 16  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.   17  For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.   18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.   19  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior,   20  idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,   21  envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just

 8.19- God is more willing to forgive us than we are willing to receive his forgiveness. Matthew 18 21  Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I  still  forgive him? Up to seven times?”   22  Jesus *said to him,  “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to  [ w ] seventy-seven times. 23  “For this reason the kingdom of heaven  [ x ] is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves.   24  And when he had begun to settle  them , one who owed him  [ y ] ten thousand talents was brought to him.   25  But since he  [ z ] did not have  the means  to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made.   26  So the slave fell  to the ground  and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’   27  And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the  [ aa ] debt.   28  Bu