Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 8.23-  If you can resist the virus of the devil, then your blood could be good for other people.  Life is in the blood.  Jesus said that when He was having the last supper with the disciples that the wine represented His blood that was being poured out for them for the forgiveness of sins.  Mark 14. 22  While they were eating, He took some bread, and [ j ] after a blessing He broke it , and gave it to them, and said, “Take it ; this is My body.” 23  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24  And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25  Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26  After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Hebrews 9. 11  But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things [ ad ] to come, He entere...

 8,22-   What is the precious and beautiful gift to God?  He didn't want her to be alone in the COVID 19 battle so he wanted to go be with her.  They said, "This could kill you."   "I don't care I must be with her we have been together all the way."  They had been married for over 50 years. She was too weak to talk.  "He said if you can hear me squeeze my hand."   She did.  Then she moved to heaven. He moved to heaven a few days later himself.  He said he had no regrets.    

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 8.21- I saw the great singer, Dionne Warwick, interviewed this morning and she said her grandad once helped her in life by reminding her to remember her purpose in life was to help other people .  When people are seeking answers to the problems of our country right now where can they turn? Do they feel there is hypocrisy everywhere so just forget trying?   Do they drift into the belief that no one cares and there is no place to go for any better answers? Can we live lives that are real, sincere and loving?   Can we strive for being searchers along with them of the best answers we can find to having joy and hope in this messed up world? One of the guys who ran with Jesus wrote some words that resonate with me today. “ Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices.” “ Respect the authori...

 8.20-   When I am trying to learn how to have a better life with my family and friends it has become clear to me that I must not assume that I am right and they are wrong. The fact is that we are both trying to learn a better way together by keeping an open heart and mind to spiritual growth.  Romans 2. 2  Therefore you have no excuse, [ a ] everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2  And we know that the judgment of God [ b ] rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3  But do you suppose this, O man, [ c ] when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself , that you will escape the judgment of God? 4  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5  But [ d ] because of your stubbornness and unrepentan...

8.19- Progressive revelation.  Elijah and Moses were created by Jesus to point toward Him.  We need to listen to Jesus, before and more than any other Bible character. Mark 9. 9  And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” 2  Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and [ a ] James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3  and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4  Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5  Peter *said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three [ b ] tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6  For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. 7  Then a cloud [ c...

8.18- Anger. It’s easy to define: the noise of the soul. Anger. The unseen irritant of the heart. Anger. The relentless invader of silence. The louder it gets the more desperate we become . . . . Some of you are thinking . . . you can’t have any idea how hard my life has been. And you’re right. I don’t. But I have a very clear idea how miserable your future will be unless you deal with your anger. X-ray the world of the vengeful and behold the tumor of bitterness: black, menacing, malignant. Carcinoma of the spirit. Its fatal fibers creep around the edge of the heart and ravage it. Yesterday you can’t alter, but your reaction to yesterday you can. The past you cannot change, but your response to your past you can. Matthew 5. 27  “You have heard that it was said, ‘ You shall not commit adultery ’; 28  but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29  If your right eye make...

8.17- The Debt Eraser Psalm 103:1-12 Xochitl Dixon I blinked back tears as I reviewed my medical bill. Consideriing my husband’s severe cut in salary after a lengthy unemployment, even paying half of the balance would require years of small monthly installments. I prayed before calling the doctor’s office to explain our situation and request a payment plan. After leaving me on hold for a short time, the receptionist informed me the doctor had zeroed out our account. I sobbed a thank you. The generous gift overwhelmed me with gratitude. Hanging up the phone, I praised God. I considered saving the bill, not as a reminder of what I used to owe but as a reminder of what God had done. My physician’s choice to pardon my debt brought to mind God’s choice to forgive the insurmountable debt of my sins. Scripture assures us God is “compassionate and gracious” and “abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8). He “does not treat us as our sins deserve” (verse 10). He remov...