Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

Day of Year: 11 Date: 1.11.14 Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 4.23-25 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 7.59-60 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 9.7-20 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 2.9-11 +Rest of Old Testament: Genesis 22, 23 Favorite Verse: Matthew 4.24 24  The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, [ l ] epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Thought for the day: When the student is ready the teacher will appear.  As long as we think we are healthy and okay and don't need Jesus, then we don't seek Him with desperation.  If we recognize our blindness and spiritual need, then Jesus is all over the place.  I have been blessed to travel 14 time zones from North Richland Hills and find that people there were worshipping Jesus with the same love for healing that the sincere people are here in my town.

Day of Year: 10 Date: 1.10.14 Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 4.18-22 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 7 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 9.1-6 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 2.6-8 +Rest of Old Testament: Genesis 20,21 Favorite Verse: Matthew 4.19 19  And He *said to them, “ [ h ] Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Thought for the day:  Jesus never met a person He didn't love.

There are things in this world that can make us very weary: Giving instructions to people. Teaching. Preaching. Hard questions. Helping blind, lame, hearing deficient people. Helping the marginalized of society. Giving good news to poor people. Being strong-minded in the face of a weak-minded culture. Having no security in our home environment. Marching to the beat of Jesus’ rather than the world. Being criticized when standing with Jesus’ way.  Fierce conversations are necessary . Working out of our own sin struggles. Staying friendly with tax collectors. Denouncing sin.  Fierce conversations are necessary . Challenging people to change before it is too late.  Fierce conversations are necessary . These are some things that disciples of Jesus will be doing with Him and for Him. We get weary. What to do? Praise God as our Father and Lord of heaven and earth. Thank God that the wise and intelligent people ...

Day of Year: 9 Date: 1.9.14 Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 4.12-17 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 6.1-15 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 8. +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 2.1-5 +Rest of Old Testament: Genesis 18, 19 Favorite Verse: Matthew 4.17 17  From that time Jesus began to [ g ] preach and say, “ Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Thought for the day:  The ministry of John the Baptist ended in his death. This did not stop Jesus from continuing the same message.  The Father in heaven is king.  We can all change our hearts if we want to.  God has opened the door for each of us to change this year into a more mature follower of Jesus.

Day of Year: 8 Date: 1.8.14 Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 4.1-11 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 5.33-42 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 7.10-17 +Proverb of the Day: Proverb 1.33 +Rest of Old Testament: Genesis 16, 17 Favorite Verse: "He will give His angels charge concerning you." Thought for the day:  The verses in Scripture are give to the children of God.  At times they are misused by the devil and his workers, but that doesn't mean they are useless words.  When properly used and interpreted they are powerful reminders of who God is.

Day of Year: Seven Date: 1.7.14 Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes):Matthew 3.13-17 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 5.17-32 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 7.1-9 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 1.28-32 +Rest of Old Testament: Genesis 13,14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 3. 16  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Thought for the day: Jesus baptism pleased His Father in heaven and so does it please Him when anyone gives their lives to follow God's ways.

Day of Year: Six Date: 1.6.14 Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 3.1-12 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 5.1-16 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 6 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 1.22-27 +Rest of Old Testament: Genesis 11,12 Favorite Verse: Matthew 3. 3  In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2  and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,      make straight paths for him.’” [ a Thought for the day:  God has given us freedom of choice.  We can change and make our heart and soul a container for the love of God if we choose.

Day of Year: Five Date: 1.5.14 Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes):Matthew 2.16-23 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 4.32-37 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 5. +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 1.20,21 +Rest of Old Testament: Genesis 9,10 Favorite Verse: Matthew 2. 19  After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20  and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” Thought for the day: God lives and He loves and defends the children.  Kings die.  Focus on loving and serving the children and our lives will be blessed.