Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

11.24- I was reminded recently of some things Mr. Rogers taught. I'm the only one in the world qualified to be me. Adults are kids plus time. Matthew 18. 18  At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2  He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

11.23- People need new passion mission and direction. Matthew 3. 3  In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2  and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,      make straight paths for him.’” [ a ] 4  John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5  People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6  Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9  And do not think you ...

11.22- People who need a Savior, Son of God who was born into this wicked world and understands how awful people and conditions of oppression can be.  The Christmas story is real. Matthew 2. 2  After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi [ a ] from the east came to Jerusalem 2  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6  “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,      are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler      who will shepherd my people Israel....

11.21-Jesus, Savior and Lord for All Kinds of Broken, lost and confused people. People who feel their family is messed up and cannot be used by God. Matthew 1. 1  This is the genealogy [ a ] of Jesus the Messiah [ b ] the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2   Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3  Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4  Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5  Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6  and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, 7  Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8  Asa th...

11.20- One of blessings of following Jesus is a great change in the way we view the sick. Not to avoid them but care for them. If they want a visit, when you touch them there is a double blessing. They feel they are not alone. You feel useful. This is the house across the street from our Denver home for thirty years. Our neighbors, the Sherlins, cared for us when we were down. Hopefully, we lifted them up also. Life gives us many opportunities to be fruitful with our neighbors. Mark 16. 15  He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17  And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18  they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick p...

11.19- Susan Orphanos will be getting some prayers from me today. She had a child who survived the Las Vegas mass shooting. She had people to send her "thoughts and prayers". Then she had this same son killed in the Thousand Oaks shooting. She was so distraught she said to the news people, "I don't want any 'thoughts and prayers' I want better gun laws". I pray to God, the Father of comfort, for her comfort. I pray her raw honest words to people and God continues. I pray shal low, thoughtless, insensitive people stop saying, "thoughts and prayers" to her. I will pray she is surrounded by her beloved family and friends during this time of horror and sorrow. Jesus understands her. He had prayed to His Father in heaven for the cup of his suffering to pass. Soon He was dying on a cross. People were insulting Him, mocking Him, and flogging Him. Then He cried out, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me." He ...

11.18- So thank for Scripture given to us by God. 2 Peter 1. 12  So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13  I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14  because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15  And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 16  For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17  He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [ b ] 18  We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19  We also...