Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

4.14 Make disciples of Jesus is dangerous work.  It is not always convenient. Matthew 10. 16  “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so [ r ] be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17  But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18  and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19  But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20  For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

4.13- Allow you heart to enjoy people who are peaceful.  Extend peace the them.  Receive it back.  Live in peace and be a peacemaker.  This is the best way to live. Matthew 10. 11  And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay [ m ] at his house until you leave that city . 12  As you enter the [ n ] house, give it your [ o ] greeting. 13  If the house is worthy, [ p ] give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, [ q ] take back your blessing of peace. 14  Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.

4.12- On 5.22.05 above Golden Colorado I went on a retreat with a men’s group. We took a noon time ascent up into a mountain to experience some time alone with God. There I did something that I called at the time “turning my ankle.” Usually, when this had happened before I would walk it off and soon be back to normal walking. Not so with this one. My walking has never been the same since then. With some amount of consultation I found out that my ankle had been “broken” several times and now my joints had arthritis in the right ankle joint and that this is just a part of my life now. I walked from then to now with pain. Orthodics have helped but still I must move slowly and deliberately and I am officially, “lame”. At times I get a bad attitude about how slowly I must move now. People who can move about easily don’t realize what some people go through. I am coming to understand lame people day by day. I was in a store for people with handic...

4.12- God is the source of power to keep on keeping on.   He is awesome.   People are greatly in need of His grace and mercy, all of us are.   In the last week I have had the chance to meet with people who are grandparents helping to raise and rescue their grandchildren from danger of the effects of drugs and alcohol abuse in their parents. Romans 5. 5  Therefore, having been justified by faith, [ a ] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [ b ] we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3  And not only this, but [ c ] we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6  For...

4.11- Jesus’ preaching is not like typical religious preacher. Different sources of happiness. Different view of what insults mean. Different view of being different. Different view of God’s laws. Different view of the gift of reconciliation. Different view of adultery. Different view of marriage. Different view of the importance of a man’s word. Matthew 5. 21  “You have heard that [ w ] the ancients were told, ‘ You shall not commit murder ’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be [ x ] liable to the court.’ 22  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be [ y ] guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘ [ z ] You good-for-nothing,’ shall be [ aa ] guilty before [ ab ] the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be [ ac ] guilty enough to go into the [ ad ] fiery hell. 23  Therefore if you are presenting your [ ae ] offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has someth...

4.10- Reframe the hard, challenging obstacle courses in your life as developmental of your abilities. Proverbs 3.12 12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

4.9- Have you ever envied someone else and their lot in life?  Most of us have, but in reality we don't know the plans God has for us or for them.  In Peter's life there was going to be some hard times.  He wanted to know what about John, would he also have hard times.  Jesus said for him to not be worrying about God's plans for John.  That is good direction for all of us to not be so concerned about God's purpose and plans for others, but to leave that to God and live one day at a time the life that we are to live. John 21. 18  Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go .” 19  Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!” 20  Peter, turning around, *saw the di...