Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

Matthew 6. 16  “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18  so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Treasures in Heaven 19  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22  “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, [ c ] your whole body will be full of light. 23  But if your eyes are unhealthy, [ d ] your whole bo...

Matthew 6. 6  “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2  “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4  so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Prayer 5  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward yo...

Matthew 5. 17  “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19  Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. 21  “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, [ a ] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister [ b ] [ ...

Matthew 5. 13  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Psalm 10. 12  Arise, Lord ! Lift up your hand, O God.      Do not forget the helpless. 13  Why does the wicked man revile God?      Why does he say to himself,      “He won’t call me to account”? 14  But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;      you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themsel...

Matthew 5. 5  Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2  and he began to teach them. The Beatitudes He said: 3  “Blessed are the poor in spirit,      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4  Blessed are those who mourn,      for they will be comforted. 5  Blessed are the meek,      for they will inherit the earth. 6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,      for they will be filled. 7  Blessed are the merciful,      for they will be shown mercy. 8  Blessed are the pure in heart,      for they will see God. 9  Blessed are the peacemakers,      for they will be called children of God. 10  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,      for theirs is the kin...

Matthew 4. 23  Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24  News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25  Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, [ g ] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Psalm 9. 7  The Lord reigns forever;      he has established his throne for judgment. 8  He rules the world in righteousness      and judges the peoples with equity. 9  The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,      a stronghold in times of trouble. 10  Those who know your name trust in you,      for you, Lord , have never forsaken those who seek you. 1...

Matthew 4. 18  As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20  At once they left their nets and followed him. 21  Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22  and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Psalm 9. 1  I will give thanks to you, Lord , with all my heart;      I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 2  I will be glad and rejoice in you;      I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. 3  My enemies turn back;      they stumble and perish before you. 4  For you have upheld my righ...