Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

6.17 Today as I was in the lazy river I was with a young boy, 14, who was a special needs person.  He was being watched over by a woman who might have been a mom or grandmother or even caretaker.  What I noticed was the joy in the heart of the young man and the love and watchfulness in the heart of this lady with him. She chased him and he laughed.  He chased her and laughed.  He screamed with delight and she told him to not be so loud, but through the entire experience I could sense the joy of God in both of their hearts. John 9. 9  As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2  His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3  “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4  As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5  While I am in the w...

6.16- If you ask some talented Christians where their strength or skill or creativity come from they will insist it is from God.  Their life flows from God.  John 7. 38  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” [ c ] 39  By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

6.15 Which is your kind of wisdom? Above or below? 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.

6.14- Our God Provides One of the Jewish names for God is Yahweh Yireh.   Our God is a gracious provider. Sometimes we have that feeling that we are simply too tired and weary to go on.   God provides. Matthew 11. 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.” My daughter has impressed me by making sure that her children as well as other children are provided for.   She has a son 19 and one almost 16 and I don’t believe they have ever worried about provisions for their food, shelter and clothing and medical treatment.   It has been a big goal for the that her boys feel they will have provided everything they need.   This has meant a few challenges because at the same time they were growing up she was getting her degree in accou...

6.13 Forgive others in the same way as God has forgiven you. Forgive others as often as God has forgiven you. Forgive others as completely as God has forgiven you. Forgive others of anything you hold against them so that your prayers will be answered "Yes". Mark 11. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [26] [g]

6.12- Jesus provides a good question for a man and for us, “Do you want to get well?” Jesus provides clear directions. “Pick up your mat and walk.”   Get busy carrying what has been carrying you.   John 5. 5  Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2  Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda [ a ] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3  Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4]  [ b ] 5  One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6  When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7  “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8  Then Jesus said...

6.11- 1 Thessalonians 5. 16  Rejoice always, 17  pray continually, 18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19  Do not quench the Spirit. 20  Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21  but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22  reject every kind of evil.