Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

3.4- American Founders and Bible Reading Luke 18. 22  When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The impact of John Adams and John Quincy Adams on our country is hard to overestimate.   This father and son team had major influence on the founding of the country as well as its first few years. 1735 to 1848 is the span of their lives. John Adams wrote to John Quincy Adams regarding Bible reading: “..it is of all books in the world, that which contributes most to make men good, wise and happy—that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more steadily they pursue the practice of reading it throughout their lives, the lively and confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens of their country, respectable members of society, and a real blessing to their parents… I have myself, for many years, made it a prac...

3.3- The kingdom of God is a heart where God is the king. Luke 17. 20  Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21  nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” [ c ]

3.2- The reason religious experts didn't like Jesus. They often try to justify themselves with money or titles of importance instead of depending on the mercy of God. Luke 16. 14  The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15  He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

3.1- James 3. 13  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

2.28- James 1. 19  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20  because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

2.27- Luke 15.32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” Titus 3.4-7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2.26- My Favorite Passages on Judging Matthew 5. 25  “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Matthew 7. 7  “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3  “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Luke 6. 37  “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will ...