Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 1.19- Your life is set by what you pursue.  If you pursue fame and celebrity and money then that will give a certain outcome. Religious people can often get to pursuing money and power instead of a desire to help the people.  This shows up in some cases in political seasons.  It shows up on radio and television religion.  It shows up one computers and websites and podcasts.  People become more interested in division and hate and name calling instead of trying to benefit those in need. The answer to improvement involve in refocus on one's pursuit. Rightousness. Godliness. Faith. Love. Perseverance. Gentleness.  These are good pursuits. This will lead to a life of grace and mercy and peace.  1 Timothy 6 11  But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,  [ j ] perseverance,  and  gentleness.   12  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and  for which  you made the good confession in the pr

 1,18- A covenant is a sacred document.  It makes certain promises. A marriage covenant.  A neighborhood covenant.  These make binding promises. For children of God there is covenant that God made which provides for all of us to have our own high priest.  A bridge from our human and messy lives into heaven's perfection to the throne room of our Holy God. God has sent a Savior to put his law of love and liberty into our hearts and minds. These children will all know God.  They will grow in their knowledge of Him but all will know Him because is the beginning of the relationship with Him.   They know God and God knows them.  This knowledge can be in the heart of a child or a child at heart who is 90. He promises to merciful to their wrongdoings. He promises that he will no longer remember their sins. This is the kind of relationship that is available to everyone who turns to God is humility and truth and trusts the Father in heaven. Hebrews 8 7  For if that first  covenant  had been

 1.17- God does not want unnecessary trouble put into the life of people.  Jewish people were given guidance that males in their family must be circucised.  The gospel of Jesus was to go out to show that Jews and Gentiles were meant to be children of God.  These wanted to become children of God, but the path to becoming a child of God did not demand circumcision in the New Covenant that God had planned when the gospel went forth to the whold world. The leaders of the family of God and got together and decided that circumcision for Gentiles as an uncedessary burden.  They sent out this message to the church and it brough much relief and joy. Acts 15 15  Some men came down from Judea and  began  teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”   2  And after Paul and Barnabas had  [ a ] a heated argument and debate with them,  the brothers  determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the 

 11.16- All people need hope. When there is no hope there is depression and a lack of fuel for thriving. Wise men have written that human beings were created and designed with something in their hearts that us unique to them. Hope for eternity. Life beyond this life. One dark night there were some shepherds, some of the most humble and common of workers who were watching over their sheep and the most dramatic birth announcement ever given on earth came to them. They were told to not be afraid at the amazing angels who came to announce the arrival of a baby that would change the direction and history of the world. His path was one of humility. Born and layed in a manger. This would be sign of God coming into the world for all people. Not just the rich, but also the poor. Not just the powerful and wise, but also for the lowly and powerless. If you live in a house built of random boards or of cardboard. If you house has expensive tile roof or a blue tarp you house is not forgo

 11.15- Fruitful, successful, fulfilling life and long life. Both are important. Humans were designed to be workers. Certain Blue Zones around the world have been studied where it is common for people to live to be 90 to 100 years old. These elements were noticed. 1.Active natural physical moment for daily life. Active not passive. 2. Eat wisely. 3. Clear sense of purpose for why you live. 4. Connected. Surrounded by people who support healthy behavior. People you enjoy and enjoy you. 5. Loving the local place and people where you live. 6. Sense of purpose. Passions. Talents. Values. 7. Work. Find a way to be useful. 8. Belong. Be in a group who helps you put others before yourself. Many of my friends are helping me with these very goals. So thankful for all of you. Psalm 90 Lord, You have been our   [ b ] dwelling place in all generations. 2  Before the mountains were born [ c ] Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. 3  You t