Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

9.17 Luke 12. 54-56  Then he turned to the crowd: “When you see clouds coming in from the west, you say, ‘Storm’s coming’—and you’re right. And when the wind comes out of the south, you say, ‘This’ll be a hot one’—and you’re right. Frauds! You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don’t tell me you can’t tell a change in the season, the God-season we’re in right now. 57-59  “You don’t have to be a genius to understand these things. Just use your common sense, the kind you’d use if, while being taken to court, you decided to settle up with your accuser on the way, knowing that if the case went to the judge you’d probably go to jail and pay every last penny of the fine. That’s the kind of decision I’m asking you to make.” Psalm 106 106  1-3  Hallelujah! Thank God ! And why?      Because he’s good, because his love lasts. But who on earth can do it—      declaim God ’s mighty acts, broadcast all his prais...

I think that my vocation given to me by God’s grace is to be a teacher. I am not a writer though I desire to write as a part of being a teacher. Many of my friends are thinking a lot about leadership right now. To me the model of leadership is Jesus Christ because I am a Christian. He was not a political leader and though at times some wanted Him to be, this was not His calling so He resisted political leadership. He was tempted by Satan to worship Satan and he would gi ve him this world. Jesus said, “No.” He gives His ideals of spiritual leadership in many places and one of these is the Message John 10. 6-10 "Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and ...

9.16 Luke 12. 49-53  “I’ve come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything rightside up—how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront! From now on, when you find five in a house, it will be— Three against two,      and two against three; Father against son,      and son against father; Mother against daughter,      and daughter against mother; Mother-in-law against bride,      and bride against mother-in-law.” Psalm 105 105  1-6  Hallelujah! Thank God ! Pray to him by name!      Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns,      translate his wonders into music! Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,      you who seek G...

This past week I have spent time with several men who impress me regarding having a clear vision of what a fulfilling life is all about. A clear vision for a fulfilling life. 1. Do not crush your family with unnecessary rules. 2. Be loyal and trustworthy with your family. 3. Be generous with hospitality. 4. Keep a sharp eye out for people who take bits and pieces of religious teaching and use it to hurt people. These use pious talk but they make trouble for unsuspecting innocent people. 5. Make the good things the real things in your life. 6. Don’t be gullible to smooth talkers who are evil. 7. Stay alert. 8. Mark ignorant windbags who infect the air with backstabbing as a way to make a fast buck. 9. Seek the richness of being the best version of yourself. 10. Avoid the lust for money which brings only trouble and more trouble and live to regret it. 11. Be rich in helping others to build up spiritual treasures which is real life. Larry Wishard 1 Timothy 6. ...

9.15 Luke 12. 35-38  “Keep your shirts on; keep the lights on! Be like house servants waiting for their master to come back from his honeymoon, awake and ready to open the door when he arrives and knocks. Lucky the servants whom the master finds on watch! He’ll put on an apron, sit them at the table, and serve them a meal, sharing his wedding feast with them. It doesn’t matter what time of the night he arrives; they’re awake—and so blessed! 39-40  “You know that if the house owner had known what night the burglar was coming, he wouldn’t have stayed out late and left the place unlocked. So don’t you be slovenly and careless. Just when you don’t expect him, the Son of Man will show up.” 41  Peter said, “Master, are you telling this story just for us? Or is it for everybody?” 42-46  The Master said, “Let me ask you: Who is the dependable manager, full of common sense, that the master puts in charge of his staff to feed them well and on time? He is a...

9.14 Luke 12. 22-24  He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. 25-28  “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? 29-32  “W...

9.13- Luke 12. 13  Someone out of the crowd said, “Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance.” 14  He replied, “Mister, what makes you think it’s any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?” 15  Speaking to the people, he went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.” 16-19  Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’ 20  “Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’ 21  “That...

9.12 Luke 12. 4-5  “I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands. 6-7  “What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. 8-9  “Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels? 10  “If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked. But if you’re...