Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

Day of Year: 89 Date:3.29.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 22.39 39  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [ d ] 40  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Thought for the day: Do you want peace and harmony in your life? The practice of this command of Jesus will transform your relationship with any person in your world. If you do this day after day and keep at it, there will be a growing love in your relationships. There is no law that is not supported by this basic challenge. Love others as you love yourself. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 22.23-46 + Rest of New Testament: Romans 8.26-30 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 65.1-8 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 12.27 +Rest of Old Testament:Deuteronomy 32,33

Day of Year: 88 Date:3.29.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 22. 21  “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “ So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Thought for the day: We are approaching April 15th, the day Americans' income taxes are to be paid. Jesus said to give to Caesar our taxes. The followers of Jesus have continually taught disciples to be good citizens. Jesus taught that His kingdom was not of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. We pay taxes and we give respect and honor to those who are servants of God as leaders of our country. We cannot give to Caesar our hearts and souls. God wants our hearts and souls. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 22:15-22 + Rest of New Testament: Romans 8.18-25 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 64 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 12.26 +Rest of Old Testament: Deuteronomy 30,31

Day of Year: 87 Date: 3.28.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 22.7 7  The king was enraged . He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Thought for the day: Jesus told a story about a king who prepared a beautiful feast like a wedding reception. He invited those who should have been invited and they made excuses. When the very best is placed before people and they reject it, rage would be a normal emotion. Jesus said this was like the kingdom of heaven. God has given a great price to provide heaven. His own Son. To make excuses about rejecting this beautiful heavenly feast is to reject the best God has to offer. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Matthew 22.1-14 + Rest of New Testament: Romans 8.12-17 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 63. +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 12.25 +Rest of Old Testament: Deuteronomy 28,29

My mother was a great Bible reader at 71 years of age.  I was reading through some of her journals and found this written on 1.1.84. ” To be a better woman, To do more for people. To live closer to God. To read my Bible more. My study each year and to study all I can.  The Lord has been Good to us.”

Day of Year: 86 Date:3.27.14 Favorite Verse: Matthew 21.42 42  Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected      has become the cornerstone ; the Lord has done this,      and it is marvelous in our eyes’ [ h ] ? Thought for the day: There are several teachings of Jesus that didn't sit well with the religious people of His time. He was gentle. They were harsh. They rejected Him.  He was from a small, despised town and he had no formal training. They respected only those who were formally trained in their rabbinacal schools. They rejected Him.   He was not manipulated by their threats. They wanted to control by fear. They rejected Him.   He was assertive about standing for the oppressed. They wanted to conform people to think like they thought. They rejected Him.  He demanded fruitfulness in the ...

What is J 10+? J 10+ is a system of reading Jesus for about ten minutes a day.   When I moved from teaching and coaching to ministry and life-coaching, I found the necessity to quiet the spirit and relax the mind for a few moments each day.     Some suggest to empty the mind is best.   Filling the mind with the love of Jesus is much better.  In my opinion t he best way to do that is to get a good, readable translation of the Bible, sit down in a comfortable chair and read and meditate on a paragraph of Jesus in the Gospels.     This year for my daily devotional contribution I am structuring readings called J10+.   If you have only ten minutes a day, read the first reading and notice the verse of the day.   Perhaps you would like my take on the verse in the thought for the day.   This can be done in less than ten minutes and hopefully, give you and excellent mind-set. Some people might have more time or in...