Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

5.30- Enemy Love Jonah 3:10 – 4:11 Mart DeHaan When war broke out in 1950, fifteen-year-old Kim Chin-Kyung joined the South Korean army to defend his homeland. He soon found, however, that he wasn’t ready for the horrors of combat. As young friends died around him, he begged God for his life and promised that, if allowed to live, he would learn to love his enemies. Sixty-five years later, Dr. Kim reflected on that answered prayer. Through decades of caring for orphans and assisting in the education of North Korean and Chinese young people, he has won many friends among those he once regarded as enemies. Today he shuns political labels. Instead he calls himself a loveist as an expression of his faith in Jesus. The prophet Jonah left a different kind of legacy. Even a dramatic rescue from the belly of a big fish didn’t transform his heart. Although he eventually obeyed God, Jonah said he’d rather die than watch the Lord show mercy to his enem...

5.29- The Brick Unknown Author A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead a brick smashed into the Jag’s side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, “What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That’s a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do that?” The young boy was apologetic. “Please mister, I’m sorry but I didn’t know what else to do,” he pleaded. “I threw the brick because no one else would stop. . .” With tears down his face and dripping off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot j...

5.28- Greater than the Mess 2 Samuel 22:26-37 David McCasland A major theme of the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel could easily be “Life is a mess!” It has all the elements of a blockbuster TV miniseries. As David sought to establish his rule as king of Israel, he faced military challenges, political intrigue, and betrayal by friends and family members. And David himself was certainly not without guilt as his relationship with Bathsheba clearly showed (chapters 11 & 12). Yet near the end of 2 Samuel we find David’s song of praise to God for his mercy, love, and deliverance. “You, Lord, are my lamp” (22:29). In many of his difficulties, David turned to the Lord. “With your help I can advance against a troop [run through a barricade]; with my God I can scale a wall” (v. 30). Perhaps we identify with David’s struggles because he, like us, was far from perfect. Yet he knew that God was greater than the most chaotic parts of his life. ...

5.27- Relief for the Troubled 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 Jennifer Benson Schuldt One of my favorite scenes in literature occurs when a feisty aunt confronts an evil stepfather over the abuse of her nephew, David Copperfield. This scene takes place in Charles Dickens’ novel named after the main character. When David Copperfield shows up at his aunt’s house, his stepfather is not far behind. Aunt Betsy Trotwood is not pleased to see the malicious Mr. Murdstrone. She recounts a list of offenses and does not let him slither out of his responsibility for each act of cruelty. Her charges are so forceful and truthful that Mr. Murdstone – a normally aggressive person – finally leaves without a word. Through the strength and goodness of Aunt Betsy’s character, David finally receives justice. There is Someone else who is strong and good, and who will one day right the wrongs in our world. When Jesus returns, He will come down from heaven with a group of powerful a...

5.26- Unconventional Tactics 2 Chronicles 20:1-13 Tim Gustafson In 1980 a woman hopped on a subway during the Boston Marathon. No big deal, except for one small detail. She was supposed to be running the marathon! Later, witnesses saw her jump into the race less than a mile from the finish line. She finished well ahead of all the other female runners, and oddly, she wasn’t winded or even sweating much. For a brief time she looked like the winner. In a conflict long ago, a people who were losing a battle found a more honorable way to win. When messengers told King Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,” he was terrified (2 Chronicles 20:2-3). But instead of turning to typical military tactics, Jehoshaphat turned to God. He acknowledged God’s supremacy and admitted his own fear and confusion. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12). Then the king chose singers to lead the army into battle. Instead of a war cry, they sang o...

5.25- Human beings are not simply creatures of instinct. They have been given by their creator the ability to make free will choices. I don’t like where my mind drifted in the last 24 hours. The designer of the universe has given me freedom to start over today to have a completely new mindset. I have the ability to not lose focus during the storms of my life. I can pray a blessing for my enemies who seem busy trying to destroy what I am trying to build. I now choose to see tests as opportunities for new growth. I want and will develop a noble and good heart intentionally. Being in the third month of seeing no one and touching no one except my wife is a completely new experience for me. (Believe me I am thankful for her.) Rather that let my mind be drawn into one bad news story after another on the television I will turn the television off. I will choose what I want to look at and hear. I will see the cardinal on my roof. I will really look at the shock...

5.24- Today I am grateful. I can meditate on what I see in nature. I can remember the things I have seen. I can choose my thoughts. I can be grateful for the blessings I have. Food. Clean water. Good health care. Good health. Good relationships with family and friends. My house is dry when it rains and cool in the summer and warm in the winter. My mattress is soft and easy to sleep on. My country has laws that keep things orderly rather than chaotic in my community, state and nation. My world includes the ability to receive communication from people who are distant from me but who matter to me. Letters can be delivered by the mailman in days or text in seconds. I have access to information with great width, depth and breadth than ever in the history of man. I am blessed. Larry Wishard 5.22.20 Philippians 4. 8  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [ e ] lovely, whatever is of good repute,...