Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

5.21.14 Day 141 Favorite Verse: Mark 7 36  And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it. 37  They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Thought for the day: Imagine there was a Doctor who could cure children who were deaf and mute.  Suppose this physician could do this by means that were completely new and revolutionary.  Don't you think He would want his healed patients to advertise for him?  Not Jesus.  His mission was much more than healing peoples' bodies.  He came to be the Savior of the world.  He ordered those healed to tell no one.  Of course the news was so good that they couldn't keep quiet.  Those of us who have had our hearts and minds healed by Jesus' grace have good news also.  Hopefully, we will stay busy telling people of Jesus who did not come to...

5.23.14 Day:143 Favorite Verse: Mark 8. 33  But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Thought for the day: There is a difference between disciples of Jesus and people who call themselves "Christians".  Disciples are tuned in to the lifestyle of Jesus and see Him as their Savior and Lord.  He is the boss and we are not.  He is the Messiah and we are not.  He is the leader and we are the followers. When Jesus told Peter that His life included suffering and death, Peter began to rebuke and correct His Lord.  The Lord identified Peter's basic problem.  His mindset was wrong.  He had his mind on man's interests instead of God's. We approach Memorial Day with thoughts of soldiers who focused on what was good for others instead of themselves.  I saw a man interviewed yesterday who received the medal of honor....

5.22.14 Day 142 Favorite Verse: Mark 8. In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and *said to them, 2  “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat.   Thought for the day: Do you look through those in need?  I heard Richard Cohen interviewed on the Today Show and he said because of his disability, MS, he felt people looked around him, above him and through him without seeing him.  Poor hungry people can be looked at without us seeing them.  Jesus saw them.  He felt compassion for them.  He did something about it.  He feed them. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Mark 8.1-26 + Rest of New Testament: 1 Corinthians 11.23-34 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 92.1-15 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 15.14 +Rest of Old Testament:2 Samuel 24, 1 Kings 1

5.20.14 Day 140 Favorite Verse: Mark 7. 21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts,  fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22  deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, [ i ] envy, slander, [ j ] pride and foolishness. 23  All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” Thought for the day: Our politically correct culture is constantly telling us what is good or bad for our stomachs.  I need guidance and I need to do a much better job with my nutrition.  My problem is that people in the media culture who seem to know exactly what everyone should put into their stomachs don't care too much what media puts in the peoples' minds.  Jesus said that the problem is not what we put into our mouths, but what we put into our hearts and minds.  Even nutritionists have said that it's not what we eat, but what eats us.  Look at the list above and notice what Jesu...

5.19.14 Day 139 Favorite Verse: Mark 7. 6  And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘ This people honors Me with their lips , But their heart is far away from Me . 7  ‘ But in vain do they worship Me , Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men .’ Thought for the day: The people who gave Jesus the most trouble were ritualistic, religious people who were into their traditions with much judgment toward others.  They often looked down on wounded people.  How sad!  What upset Jesus was that their religious behavior was extreme, but their hearts were far away from God. Have you encountered arrogant people who were extremely religious.  Jesus did. Thankfully, He put them in their place so that no one would miss His message. Jesus Reading (Ten Minutes): Mark 7.1-13 + Rest of New Testament:1 Corinthians 10.14-33 +Psalm of the Day: Psalm 90.13-17 +Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 15.11 +R...