Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

Day of Year: 129                                                                                                                                Date:5.9.14 Favorite Verse: Mark 4. 33  With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it; Thought for the day: When the student is ready the teacher will appea...

Day of Year: 130 Date:5.10.14 Favorite Verse: Mark 4. 38  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Thought for the day: I remember a story of a man who had car trouble.  He was trying to start his car and the guy behind him was sitting on the horn.  He got out of the car and walked back to talk to the honker, "If you will go up there and work on cranking my car, I'll honk for you." I suspect Jesus could sleep in a storm for several reasons. He had total trust in His Father in heaven.  He could have been drained and tired from helping people. He was given power to control storms. He knew that regardless of the immediate chaos, "things were in control". I hope I can remember to keep my my eyes on Jesus in the storm instead of looking at the wind and worrying. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Mark 4.35-41 + Rest of New Testament:1 Corinth...

Day of Year: 127 Date:5.7.14 Favorite Verse: Mark 4.19 19  but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.   Thought for the day: It has been my goal for many years to train people who are followers of Jesus to meditate on God's Word.  My example and teaching have often not worked as successfully as I had hoped, but I understand.  I get distracted and forget to keep the word of God in my heart and mind.  Jesus said that people aren't fruitful sometimes because we are distracted by: -worry -deceitful riches -desire for other things. Which of these is choking out your time with Jesus?   Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Mark 4.13-25 + Rest of New Testament:1 Corinthians 6.1-11 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 86.1-10 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 14.31 +Rest of Old Testament: 1 Samuel 25,26

Day of Year: 126 Date:5.6.14 Favorite Verse: Mark 4.1,2 4  He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land. 2  And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,   Thought for the day: Jesus was a great teacher.  He never taught without a story.  He was an entertaining speaker and the crowds loved to hear Him teach.  I find myself guilty of trying to teach people something without a story.  It doesn't work.  When I say, "Let me illustrate that with this story,"  they immediately plug into what I'm saying.  I hope to remember how important it is to listen to people and then support them with an encouraging story. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Mark 4.1-12 + Rest of New Testament:1 Corinthians 5.9-12 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 85. +Proverb of the Day: Pr...

Day of Year: 128 Date:5.8.14 Favorite Verse: Mark 4. 28  The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. Thought for the day: Growth and change are natural.  If we allow the healthy elements of soil, water and seed to be together, there will be growth. God made us to grow naturally and spiritually in healthy ways.  Are we willing to stay out of God's way and allow Him to help us grow without fighting change? Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Mark 4.26-29 + Rest of New Testament: 1 Corinthians 7.12-20 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 86.11-17 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 14.32 +Rest of Old Testament: 1 Samuel 27,28