Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

2.16- Dolly Parton was interviewed this weekend about her musical success.  They asked her what the awards and succcess meant to her.  She replied that she did not do the music for the money or for the awards.  She did what she did because this was the path that God had given her.  Following this path had been fulfilling regardless of the awards or the money 1 Corinthians 12. 12  Now concerning spiritual gifts , brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2  You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3  Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking [ a ] by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is [ b ] accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except [ c ] by the Holy Spirit. 4  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in ...

2.15- The God we serve is like this Psalm 37. 37  Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2  For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb. 3  Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and [ a ] cultivate faithfulness. 4  Delight yourself in the Lord ; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5  Commit your way to the Lord , Trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. 7  [ b ] Rest in the Lord and wait [ c ] patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8  Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9  For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord , they will inherit the land.

2.14- Love. Examine yourself. To be more loving my self examination means I need to be less arrogant, conceited and talk like I think I know everything and more circumspect, humble and learning.  This was told to me in the last month by a good Christian friend of mine. 2 Corinthians 13. 13  This is the third time I am coming to you. Every [ a ] fact [ b ] is to be confirmed by the [ c ] testimony of two or three witnesses . 2  I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well , that if I come again I will not spare anyone , 3  since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4  For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak [ d ] in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you....

2.13- Be alert.  We never know when our world is going to be changed drastically.  Live each day by taking care of those around you and never abusing them.  This is the proper way to live as we wait for the day to come when we will be accountable for our deeds on this earth. Mark 13. 33  “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time [ s ] will come. 34  It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and [ t ] putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35  Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the [ u ] master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36  in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37  What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’” Romans 13. 11  Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for...

2.12- What are the values of knowing our weaknesses? 2 Corinthians 12. 12  Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations [ a ] of the Lord. 2  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3  And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4  was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5  On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6  For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this , so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. A Thorn in the Flesh 7  Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, fo...

2.11 Went to the doctor today and got the staples out of her Sheila’s scalp. I guess I should go back and catch some of you up on the story. As I woke up to a new sunrise Saturday morning (2/7/19), things were not the same. I was looking at my life from a new perspective. I was very open-eyed about how fragile life is. Sheila had a severe gash in her head from an accident in our kitchen Friday night. She had reached for the refrigerator door, but missed. She lost her balance and fell and hit her head on the corner of the countertop. 911, firetrucks, firemen, EMTs, ambulance ride, eight staples, and amazingly, not as much pain as you would expect from a three-inch gash in her scalp. I had some dark thoughts while waiting in the ER. I must have looked like a zombie from the way Jeff and Donna described me. I think my world and how I thought it would always be was broken. Life would not continue forever like it had for 52 years of our partnership. In the next few ...

2.10- In Zimbabwe, a country of 16.5 million people, have only twelve trained psychiatrists. Dr. Dixon Chibanda has been on a mission to improve the depression in the country. One of his young patients didn't have $15 to travel to see him. She hanged herself. After research he discovered the greatest resource they had in the country was grandmothers. They built friendship benches where grandmothers were trained in role playing, problem solving and behavior activation. Their s essions take place outside on wooden benches. (Time, 2.18-25,2019, P.30)  My grandmothers trained me to optimistic on a front porch swing. They can kindle in our hearts and spirit of power, love and discipline to overcome our timidity. 2 Timothy1. 5 [e]For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is i...