Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

Matthew 12. 9-10  When Jesus left the field, he entered their meeting place. There was a man there with a crippled hand. They said to Jesus, “Is it legal to heal on the Sabbath?” They were baiting him. 11-14  He replied, “Is there a person here who, finding one of your lambs fallen into a ravine, wouldn’t, even though it was a Sabbath, pull it out? Surely kindness to people is as legal as kindness to animals!” Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out and it was healed. The Pharisees walked out furious, sputtering about how they were going to ruin Jesus. In Charge of Everything 15-21  Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on. A lot of people followed him, and he healed them all. He also cautioned them to keep it quiet, following guidelines set down by Isaiah: Look well at my handpicked servant;      I love him so much, take such delight in him. I’ve placed my Spirit on him;      h...

Matthew 12. 12  1-2  One Sabbath, Jesus was strolling with his disciples through a field of ripe grain. Hungry, the disciples were pulling off the heads of grain and munching on them. Some Pharisees reported them to Jesus: “Your disciples are breaking the Sabbath rules!” 3-5  Jesus said, “Really? Didn’t you ever read what David and his companions did when they were hungry, how they entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat? And didn’t you ever read in God’s Law that priests carrying out their Temple duties break Sabbath rules all the time and it’s not held against them? 6-8  “There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—‘I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual’—you wouldn’t be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he’s in charge.” Psalm  30   I give you all the credit, God —  ...

Matthew 11. 25  At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26  Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27  “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Psalm 29. Psalm 29 A psalm of David. 1  Ascribe to the Lord , you heavenly beings,      ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;      worship the Lord in the splendor...

Matthew 11. 20  Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21  “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22  But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23  And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. [ e ] For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24  But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” Psalm 28 Of David. 1  To you, Lord , I call;      you are my Rock,      do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent,      I will be like those who go dow...

Matthew 11. 7  As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8  If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9  Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10  This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,      who will prepare your way before you.’ [ c ] 11  Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, [ d ] and violent people have been raiding it. 13  For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14  And if you are w...

Matthew 11. 11  After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. [ a ] 2  When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3  to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4  Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy [ b ] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6  Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Psalm 26 Of David. 1  Vindicate me, Lord ,      for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord      and have not faltered. 2  Test me, Lord , and try me,      examine my heart and my mind; 3  for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love...

Matthew 10. 24  “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25  It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26  “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27  What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. [ b ] 30  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32  “Whoever acknowledges me before ot...