Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 9.8- What is the currency that impresses the teacher? Rich people think it is bigger airplane hangars with 2 jets instead of 1. Political power junkies think it is funds raised equalling votes. Athletes think it is the most million per year. Influencesrs is millions of "followers" Music sellers is number of streams. Religious big shot televangelists think it is bigger buildings and spectator seat fillers. The teacher was impressed with a poor widow who had dollar to her name and gave it to help the "poor". The teacher was not impressed with wealthy donors who thought they could be justified from their messed up lives by a big money donation announced to impress the world. They have their reward. He was not impressed. That was not currency with him. What connected with him was a broken down sinner who said, "God be merciful to me the sinner." The teacher said, "This man is justified." The currency with God is humble trust in God and honesty of

 9.7- The long prayers about not electing anyone who doesn't support babies in the womb but unwilling to support and educate them for the next 18 years. Save your political action prayers for the meeting with your win/lose political party, whether you are democrat, republican or independependent as far as I'm concerned. Preach and sing the gospel but leave moral slobbery for some group that doesn't abuse children and cover it up and practices racism as a normal thing. The teacher said don't strain out gnats and swallow camels. Stop bad religion please. Matthew 25 31  “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.   32  And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;   33  and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. 34  “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who

 9.6- "Leadership is helping people to get from where they are to where they want to be." The teacher once was teaching in a home with a thatched roof and a big crowd was there filled the house. Four leaders had a lame, immobile friend who needed two things. Forgiveness and power to walk. These four leaders broke a hole in the roof and lowered the man down through the hole. He was forgiven with a few words from the teacher. Then with few more words he was able to walk. "Leadership is getting people from where they are to where they want to be." Cliff Robinson, a top leader at Chic Fila Mattthew 5. 38  “You have heard that it was said, ‘ Eye for eye , and  tooth for tooth .’   39  But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.   40  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your  [ ag ] tunic, let him have your  [ ah ] cloak also.   41  Whoever  [ ai ] forces you to go one mile

 9.5- Tribute to our heavenly Father for giving us teachers of prayer. "Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven". My grandson asked me a good question recently about where people go when they leave earth. If they have faith in God, they pray to him to carry them to Paradise with him when they commit their soul to him and breath the last breath. Those moments with my wife and mother and Sheila's parents and others are holy and private moments but trust in God, 100% trust in him is attitude for of the moment. The last breath here on earth is followed with the first hug from the beloved who have already gone there. This the quiet, holy atmosphere. So on this second anniversary of my beloved wife's going to a better place, I rejoice with her and deepen my faith in our Father in heaven. God's comfort has been overwhelming and constant. Family and friends have constantly supported me. He created Sheila, then joined us t

 9.4- Look at your favorite sight around your house. Maybe a flower. Could it be a sight of your favorite meal? A favorite pet a dog or cat or horse. It might be a tree or your perfectly manicured lawn. To you it is a beautiful sight. This is something created and designed by God to reflect his glorious beauty. The teacher used a sparrow and a lily to teach things about God. One teacher used a pet sheep to cause deep thought about life change needed by a favorite leader. Special sight reflects God's glory. A glimpse of the Milky Way can remind one of God's perfect justice. Humans drift off track of love and try to fill voids with something less than love. It doesn't work. Instead of fulfillment we get more hunger. Only love, grace, mercy and peace heals our inner being. I have decided today to enjoy God who is love regardless of my current life cicumstances. 1 John 4. 7  Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and

 9.2- The truth is that God is love. The teacher as he was dying was doing all he could to get as many as possible to choose to go th heaven with him when he died. He asked forgiveness of their sin of killing him because they didn't know what they were doing. He took a criminal with him to Paradise as he died. Those with faith in God go to a better place when they leave here because God is love. Luke 23 39  One of the criminals who were hanged  there  was  [ q ] hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the  [ r ] Christ? Save Yourself and us!”   40  But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?   41  And we indeed  are suffering  justly, for we are receiving  [ s ] what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.”   42  And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”   43  And He said to him,  “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise