Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 3.6- Wait on the Lord Max Lucado Waiting is easier said than done. Waiting doesn’t come easy for me. I’ve been in a hurry all my life. Pedal faster, drive quicker. I used to wear my wristwatch on the inside of my arm so I wouldn’t lose the millisecond it took to turn my wrist. I wonder if I could’ve obeyed God’s ancient command to keep the Sabbath holy. To slow life to a crawl for twenty-four hours. The Sabbath was created for frantic souls like me, people who need this weekly reminder: the world will not stop if you do. Isaiah 40:31 promises: “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Wait on the Lord—He will bring rest to your soul.

 3.5- An Olympic Victory Luke 2:40-52 Elaine Young McGuire “I hated people with slanted eyes,” a faithful woman confessed in our large Sunday school class, commanding the attention of all. She recalled how she had carried a burden of prejudice and hate for over fifty years after her brother had been wounded during World War II. She then revealed how she was finally changed during the summer games of 1996 as she stood in Centennial Olympic Park among a large crowd of “those people.” A frantic young woman turned to her, crying, “Have you seen my baby? He was with me just a moment ago, but now he is gone!” Another mother, two thousand years ago, felt that same panic as she hurried back to Jerusalem to find her son. My friend identified with it, too, when she remembered her own long hours of fear and searching years ago before her lost young child was safely found. In that moment of empathy, the Lord replaced hate and prejudice with Christian compassion. Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park...

 3.4- It’s Good to Ask Psalm 143:4-11 John Blasé My father has always had a directional sense I’ve envied. He’s just immediately known where north, south, east, and west are. It’s like he was born with that sense. And he’s always been right. Until the night he wasn’t. That was the night my father got lost. He and my mother attended and event in an unfamiliar town and left after dark. He was convinced he knew the way back to the highway, tut he didn’t He got turned around, then confused, and ultimately frustrated. My mother reassured him, “I know it’s hard, but ask your phone for directions. It’s okay.” For the first time in his life that I’m aware of, my seventy-six-year-old father asked for directions. From his phone. The psalmist was a man with a wealth of life experiences. But the psalms reveal moments when it appears David felt lost spiritually and emotionally. Psalm 143 contains one of those times. The great king’s heart was dismayed (Psalm 143:4). He was in trouble (verse 11)...

 3.3- What Kind of Savior Is He? John 6:47-51, 60-66 Anne Cetas Last year, friends and I prayed for healing for three women battling cancer. We knew God had the power to do this, and we asked Him to do so every day. We’d seen Him work in the past and believed He could do it again. There were days in each one’s battle where healing looked like it was a reality, and we rejoiced. But they all died that fall. Some said that was “the ultimate healing,” and in a way it was. Still the losss hurt us deeply. We wanted Him to heal them all – here and now – gut for reasons we couldn’t understand, no miracle came. Some people followed Jesus for the miracles He performed and to get their needs met (John 6:2, 26). Some simply saw Him as the carpenter’s son (Matthew 13:55-58), and others expected Him to be their political leader (Luke 19:37-38). Some thought of Him as a great teacher (Matthew 7:28-29), while others quit following Him because His teaching was hard to understand (John 6:66). Jesus ...

 3.2- There are good uses for money. Each day I try to pray for money wisdom for my family. It is not to be hoarded or trusted but to be used to provide for needs. It is not to be sqandered on loose living and self destruction. It is to be used to support ourselves and the poor. Without compassion for others and pure selfishness it is a prison of anxiety and internal torment. My thoughts of my lack of compassion for justice for the poor and powerless reminds me of my own need for mercy and grace. Amazing grace how sweet the sound.. Thank you God for money resources. Give us the wisdom to use them effectively. Luke 16. 16  He also said to His disciples:  “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was   [ a ] wasting his goods.   2  So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an   account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ 3  “Then the stew...

 3.1- God's greatest joy is when someone returns home to live in grace, mercy and peace. Luke 15. 8  “Or what woman, having ten silver   [ c ] coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds  it?   9  And when she has found  it,  she calls  her  friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’   10  Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 18 Carol Wishard, Denise Cross and 16 others

 2.28- People at work who do an excellent job with a joyful, positive attitude are a delight. They make life so much better. They look for positive outcomes of hard circumstances. Colossians 4. 5  Walk in wisdom toward those  who are  outside, redeeming the time.  6  Let  your speech always  be  with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

 2.27- What would you say? If you had a friend who had experienced a close brush with death yet he couldn't forgive a former friend. I tried to listen on the call deeply without judgment. Finally I said, "This an area I need much growth in but I would like to begin the rest of my life forgiving everyone in the same way God has forgiven me. As Jesus ended His life He said 'Father forgive them...' I hope I can end with that same spirit. He said, "Yes, me too." God help us build bridges, not walls. Ephesians 4.   32  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 2.26- I am seeing something good happening. People who are family and friends serving each other regardless of different points of view on political opinions. "As much as lies within you be at peace with all people." Romans 12. 16  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17  Repay no one evil for evil. Have [ e ]  regard for good things in the sight of all men.  18  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

 2.25- My good buddy, Joe Wishard. Today is his birthday and so the memories of him come flooding into my mind. Driving through hayfields while others were loading hay and both of us barely able to reach the pedals but keeping the pick up in "granny" gear. Sitting in the pick up and Joe describing some details about Santa Claus that I hadn't thought of. Then in junior high and high school playing football together. Later in life watching our families grow and develop. Then watching Joe become a leader in the banking community and a strong influence in the church where we both grew up. Seeing him care for those who were in need and hurting. Going to the Roxton bank and taking my seat in the waiting area and watching people come out with a grateful attitude of helpfulness that "Mr. Wishard" had extended to them. Going next door to the grocery store/cafe in Roxton for a salad or hamburger. Going for a drive over the pasture and counting the cows and admir...