Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 2.7- New: Inside and Out John 3:1-8, 13-16 Dave Branon A few years ago a publisher made a big mistake. A book had been on the market for several years, so it was time for a makeover. The author rewrote the book to bring it up to date. But when the revision was published, there was a problem. The publisher gave the book a new cover but printed the old book inside. The exterior was fresh and new, but the interior was old and out of date. This “reprint” was not really new at all. Sometimes that kind of thing happens with people. They realize a change needs to be made in life. Things are heading in the wrong direction. So they may put on a new exterior without making a vital change in their heart. They may change a behavior on the outside but may not realize that it is only God who can change us on the inside. In John 3, Nicodemus sensed that because Jesus came “from God” (John 1:2). He offered something very different. What Jesus told Nicodemus made him realize that He offered nothin...

 2.6- Our Prayers, God’s Timing Luke 1:5-17 James Banks Sometimes God takes His time in answering our prayers and that isn’t always easy for us to understand. That was the situation for Zechariah, a priest whom the angel Gabriel appeared to one day near an altar in the temple in Jerusalem. Gabriel told him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John” (Luke 1:13) But Zechariah had probably asked God for a child years before, and he struggled with Gabriel’s message because Elizabeth was now well beyond the expected age for childbirth. Still, God answered his prayer. God’s memory is perfect. He is able to remember our prayers not only for years but also for generations beyond our lifetime. He never forgets them and may move in response long after we first brought our requests to Him. Sometimes His answer is “no,” other times it is “wait” – but His response is always measured with love. God’s ways are ...

 2.5- Can’t Take It Back Galatians 5:13-26 Anne Cetas I couldn’t take my actions back. A woman had parked her car and blocked my way of getting to the gas pump. She hopped out to drop off some recycling items, and I didn’t feel like waiting, so I honked my horn at her. Irritated, I put my car in reverse and drove around another way. I immediately felt bad about being impatient and unwilling to wait 30 seconds (at the most) for her to move. I apologized to God. Yes, she should have parked in the designated area, but I could have spread kindness and patience instead of harshness. Unfortunately it was too late to apologize to her – she was gone. Many of the Proverbs challenge us to think about how to respond when people get in the way of our plans. There’s the one that says, “Fools show their annoyance at once” (Proverbs 12:16). And “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel” (Proverbs 20:3). Then there’s this one that goes straight to the heart: “Fools ...

 2.4- When people don't believe in truth bad things happen. Left wing false teachers and right wing false teachers. Over 3,000 years ago it was written. "Be strong and courageous and depart not to the right or left." Joshua 1. 6  “Be strong and brave, for you will be a successful leader of my people; and they shall conquer all the land I promised to their ancestors. 

 2.3= If you want to be a leader you must be willing to carry the suffering of others. Matthew 20. 20  Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, brought them to Jesus and respectfully asked a favor. 21  “What is your request?”  he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, will you let my two sons sit on two thrones [ c ]  next to yours?” 22  But Jesus told her,  “You don’t know what you are asking!”  Then he turned to James and John and asked them,  “Are you able to drink from the terrible cup I am about to drink from?” “Yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

 2,2- For those of us who believe we were created in the image of God, this gives us both the power and the love to have great confidence and the self control to promise less than we can deliver. 1 Timothy 1. 7  For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.

 2.1- God is Waiting On You Max Lucado Whatever it is that’s troubling you, you’ll get through this. Cancel your escape to the Himalayas. Forget the deserted island. This is no time to be a hermit. Pray. Lean on God’s people. Be a barnacle on the boat of God’s church. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Don’t quit, don’t hide. Would the sick avoid the hospital? The hungry avoid the food pantry? Would the discouraged abandon God’s Hope Distribution Center? Only at great risk. God is waiting on you, my friend. He is with you. Your family may have left. Your supporters may be gone. Your counselor may be silent. But God has not budged. His promise in Genesis 28:15 still stands: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go!” You will get through this.