Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 9.1- When I felt like being alone, they left me alone. When I needed someone to let me talk about my loss they had plenty of time for that. When I wanted to ask hard questions about God, they did not reply with shallow, pollyanna bumper sticker answers or anything. They were silent. They were good comforters. As we approach the two year anniversary of Sheila's going to be with Jesus I want to be a better comforter. 2 Corinthians 1 3  Blessed  be  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,   4  who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in  [ b ] any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.   5  For just as the sufferings of Christ are  [ c ] ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.   6  But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient end

 8.31- Think of the most loving and kind person you encountered this week. Thank God for that person. Remember this person is a small expression of the love of God who created all things. Thank God for that sight. Think of the most beautiful sight you saw this week. That design was meant to draw you to enjoy the great designer forever. Think of the sweetest fellowship you experienced this week. That was a forecaste of heaven's perfect commumity. Thank God for friends. Romans 1 1  Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus,  [ a ] called  as  an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,   2  which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,   3  concerning His Son, who was born of a  [ b ] descendant of David according to the flesh,   4  who was declared the Son of God with power according to the  [ c ] Spirit of holiness  [ d ] by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,   5  through whom we have received grace and apostleship  [ e ] to bring about 

 8.30- Treat people the way you want to be treated. If you have a disagreement with someone it is not best to speak out against them until you have listened to them deeply, lovingly and with empathy. This will build deep friendship and reduce conflict and division. Matthew 5   23  Therefore, if you are presenting your  [ n ] offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,   24  leave your  [ o ] offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your  [ p ] offering.   25  [ q ] Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way  to court , so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison.   26  Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last  [ r ] quadrans.

 8.29- Do not be afraid. Big dreams to overcome a bad habit. Do not be afraid. Someone was harsh and critical when you were doing what needed to be done in the best way you knew how. Do not be afraid. You were told not to believe that God wants you in heaven when your work here is finished. Do not be afraid. You only know the next step but not the one after that. Do not be afraid. Don't know if you can help someone on their way to heaven. Do not be afraid. Some religious bully making your life miserable. Do not be afraid. Acts 4 4  As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple  guard  and the Sadducees came up to them,   2  being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming  [ a ] in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.   3  And they laid hands on them and put  them  in prison until the next day, for it was already evening.   4  But many of those who had heard the  [ b ] message believed; and the number of the men came to

 8.28- The joy of deep, loving community comes not from common words because words are cheap. The intimacy and fellowship comes from common words and practices and habits. Words without the actions can actually be a turn off to trust and respect. Once the teacher was asked if he wanted his family to have a front row seat. He said my family is the people who practice the ways of God. Life built on words without deeds is a house built on sand. When people hear and practice what they hear is to build on a rock that allows them to sleep during life's storms. When I read this I must cry out for mercy and grace from God who is full of unfailing love. Luke 8 19  Now His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.   20  And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.”   21  But He answered and said to them,  “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do  it .”

 8.27- The cover up is worse than the crime. The cover up adds to the crime. The cover up postpones the healing and complicates the healing. And it never lasts. The tempter uses our pride to destroy. God uses grace, mercy and peace to heal. Psalm 32 32  How blessed is he whose wrongdoing is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! 2  How blessed is a person whose guilt the  Lord  does not take into account, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! 3  When I kept silent  about my sin , my  [ b ] body wasted away Through my  [ c ] groaning all day long. 4  For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My  [ d ] vitality failed  as  with the dry heat of summer.  Selah 5  I acknowledged my sin to You, And I did not hide my guilt; I said, “I will confess my wrongdoings to the  Lord ”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin.  Selah 6  Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You  [ e ] in a time when You may be found; Certainly in a flood of great waters, they will not reach him. 7  You are my hidi

 8.26- Are you willing to give up the idea that you have nothing to give up. Matthew 19 16  And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?”   17  And He said to him,  “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is  only  One who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”   18  Then  he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said,  “ You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony ;   19  Honor your father and mother ; and  You shall love your neighbor as yourself .”   20  The young man *said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?”   21  Jesus said to him,  “If you want to be  [ k ] complete, go  and  sell your possessions and give to  the  poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”   22  But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. Al