Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

Day of Year: 39 Date: 2.8.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 12. 31  “ Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Thought for the day: Speaking against the Holy Spirit of God is to resist the only thing that can empower real transformation in one's life.  Do not do it. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 12.30-32 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 18.23-28 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 32 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 6.20-29 +Rest of Old Testament: Exodus 29,30

  (Richard is fourth from the left.)   I lost a friend, Richard Pettit about two weeks ago.  I found out on Saturday 1.25.14 that he had passed. Richard was a confident and strong man who followed Jesus, but was a free thinker. He did not allow anyone to put him in a group and assume that he was like the group.    Richard had been through many hard things in life, but rather than become hardened, he had chosen to keep a soft heart. This could be seen when he would speak about his love for his wife, Kathi. He often told about how he felt God had led him to his wife and she had given him a new outlook on life. He rejoiced in his children and grandchildren and celebrated life every day.  He recounted a job interview. When asked why he was such a positive person, he replied, “I have my wife beside me and my children around me and my Father above me taking care of everything. How could I be anything but positive.” He was proud ...

Thoughts of my granddad were brought back to my mind when I heard a singer named Brandon Heath sing these words. (Papa is fourth from the left on the second row)   "Paul Brown Petty"     Paul Brown Petty was a good ol’ man   You felt a little better when he shook your hand   Let me tell you a little ‘bout him and you’ll understand   Why Paul Brown Petty was a good ol’ man     He grew up in the depression and he fought in the war   He never talked too much about the other shore   But he was real good-looking in his uniform   Officer Petty in ‘44     And you might say, hey, what’s so great   Sounds like a simple man   He wasn’t rich or famous but   To me, he sure was grand     He married a girl from down the street   Built her a house down by a creek   One girl, two boys, five mouths to feed   Paul Brown Petty bu...

 I had not ever seen this picture when my cousin Gail Newman brought it over to the house recently. (She's holding the basketball and I stand to her left and to my left is my brother, Bill.  The second row (L to R) is my grandmother, Little Momma Woods, my mother, my sister Hazanne, my grandfather, Papa Woods, Reed, my brother, then dad and my Uncle James Phillips.  I suppose my aunt Doodie Phillips was taking the picture.  Over our heads the peak of the barn.  In the picture is the first basketball goal I played on and our 1949 gray Ford.  This picture reminds me of the great love and fun I had with my family and extended family.  Thanks Gail for this picture.  The date probably is 1951.

Day of Year: 38 Date: 2.7.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 12. 25  And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “ [ x ] Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and [ y ] any city or house divided against itself will not stand. Thought for the day:  This verse is to be read a bit after America's famous football game called the Super Bowl.  Usually the top team is complimented as being totally united.  Unity wins.  Division fails.  We need to give ourselves to unity in family, work and community to experience the best that life has to offer. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 12.22-29 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 18.1-22 +Psalm of the Day: 31.14-24 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 6.16-19 +Rest of Old Testament: Exodus 27,28

Day of Year: 37 Date: 2.6.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 12. 21  “ And in His name the [ u ] Gentiles will hope .” Thought for the day: When we have the name of Jesus as our hope we are in good shape.  When people marry they share the same last name.  The Bible teaches that when we surrender our life to Jesus we take on His name.  We are baptized into His name.  His name is the only name with unlimited resources at heaven's bank.  I am not a Jew.  I'm a Gentile so my hope is in His name. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 12.8-21 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 17.22-34 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 31.1-13 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 6.12-15 +Rest of Old Testament: Exodus 27,28

Day of Year: 36 Date: 2.5.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 12. 7  But if you had known what this [ d ] means, ‘ I desire [ e ] compassion, and not a sacrifice ,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. Thought for the day:  Jesus reflects perfectly the character of the Father in heaven.  He does not desire sacrifice for sacrifice sake.  He wants us to be busy doing deeds of compassion.  He wants His children extending mercy to people. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes):Matthew 12.1-7 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 17.16-21 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 30 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 6.6-11 +Rest of Old Testament: Exodus 25,26

Day of Year: 35 Date: 2.4.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 11. 28  “ Come to Me, all [ z ] who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Thought for the day: If you are weary.  If you are in the pits.  If you are burned out.  If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then Jesus is the perfect leader for you.  He specializes in giving rest to the soul of those in that condition. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 11.25-30 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 17.10-15 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 29 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 6.1-5 +Rest of Old Testament: Exodus 23,24

Day of Year:34 Date: 2.3.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 11. Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.   Thought for the day:  There is a day when God will judge people for the things they have done on earth.  There are consequences in eternity for our choices here on earth.  That will be more tolerable for some than others.  As for me my only hope is in the reality that Jesus has saved me from my own sins. I will be saved by God's mercy and grace.  Except for the cross I would have no chance. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 11.20-24 + Rest of New Testament: Acts 17.1-9 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 28 +Proverb of the Day: 5.15-23 +Rest of Old Testament: Exodus 21,22  

Day of Year:33 Date: 2.2.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 11. Day of Year:33 Date: 2.2.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 11. 16  “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children , 17  and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not [ r ] mourn.’ 18  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘ He has a demon!’ 19  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a [ s ] drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and [ t ] sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” Thought for the day:  Those who follow Jesus are not marching to the beat of the drums of the world.  There is no herd mentality here.  The world has a view of what "religion" should be and do.  Jesus was different. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 11.7-19 + Rest of New Testa...