Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

5.26-Love is the opposite of a self destructive way of life. Romans 13. 8  Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves [ e ] his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9  For this, “ You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet ,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “ You shall love your neighbor as yourself .” 10  Love [ f ] does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11  Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now [ g ] salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12  The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13  Let us [ h ] behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14  But put on ...

5.25-What should we do to honor our government? Romans 13. 13  Every [ a ] person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except [ b ] from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2  Therefore [ c ] whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3  For rulers are not a cause of fear for [ d ] good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4  for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6  For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, dev...

5.24-How to be at peace with all people. Romans 12. 9  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; [ j ] give preference to one another in honor; 11  not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13  contributing to the needs of the [ k ] saints, [ l ] practicing hospitality. 14  Bless those who persecute [ m ] you; bless and do not curse. 15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but [ n ] associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. [ o ] Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19  Never take your own revenge,...

5.23-It is by the mercy of God that we are able to present our bodies as our gift of worship contribution. Romans 12. 12  Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [ a ] acceptable to God, which is your [ b ] spiritual service of worship. 2  And do not be conformed to this [ c ] world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [ d ] prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [ e ] acceptable and perfect. 3  For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4  For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6  Since we have gifts that differ according to th...

5.22-What is the nature of our conflict in this world? Ephesians 6. 10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12  For our struggle is not against [ e ] flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places . 13  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth , and having put on the breastplate of righteousness , 15  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace ; 16  [ f ] in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one . 17  And take ...

5.21-A family lead by Jesus looks like this on a good day. Ephesians 5. 22  Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23  For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24  But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26  so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27  that He might present to Himself the church [ q ] in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28  So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29  for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30...

5.21- Enjoyed the Brief but Spectacular segment on PBS news tonight. Patti McCord’s, the former chief talent officer of Netflix, remarks about how to build a great working group made me think of how Sheila and I are hoping to help our own family grow up and be all we can be.   To begin with they don’t need to be like us to be successful.   We are a diverse family and have a different path to success for each member of our family. We make mistakes when we surround ourselves with people like ourselves.   If you want to build a group of people who are bold then we must be bold in front of them.    If we want a group, our family or other groups, to be effective with each other then we must honor them by showing up on time and being fully present.   If we want to have a great working family we must help them to learn how to learn from their mistakes.   We help people to learn how to make good decisions by admitting and sharing how we have learne...

5.20- What does a life look like when you are trying to imitate Jesus Christ? Ephesians 5. 5  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2  and walk in love, just as Christ also loved [ a ] you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God [ b ] as a fragrant aroma. 3  But immorality [ c ] or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among [ d ] saints; 4  and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5  For this you know with certainty, that no [ e ] immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7  Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8  for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as c...

5.20- You might need a good meeting with Jesus. If you feel like you are out of control and at times too loud for proper communication, You might need a good meeting with Jesus. If you feel like you are shooting yourself in the foot on some days. You might need a good meeting with Jesus. If you tell God to stop trying to change your life. You might need a good meeting with Jesus. If you think someone beside God is in control of the universe. You might need a good meeting with Jesus. If you need guidance on how to live with proper clothing and a right mind. You might need a good meeting with Jesus. If you have opposition which frightens you instead of them being frightened. You might need a good meeting with Jesus. If its been a while since anyone wanted you and your disciples friends invited you to leave town. You might need a good meeting with Jesus. If you have nothing to say to your family about what great things the Lord has done for you. You might need a good ...