Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 8.14- When I was watching a man who was about 90 getting near to finishing his work I noticed how his daughter in law was serving him. She provided him every comfort she could. She set his head right on his pillow. She held his water glass and steadied his straw. Spoonfuls of strawberry jello were fed to him. Cool water was sponged on to his lips. This picture is in my mind after twenty years. As Jesus neared the cross a lady served by anointing his body. Some criticized this as a waste of resources giving to a dying man. Jesus said you can serve me forever by serving the poor, but to serve me personally is but a short time. She is doing a good thing and will remembered forever for it. It teaches me to enjoy beautiful memories and pass them on.

8.13- Humble helpers of the sick. Yes, it is doctors and nurses and nurses aids and all who work with them. It is also family and friends who are drawn with compassion to those who are sick. Some see sick people and see problems. Those with a loving heart see sick people and see opportunities to help, encourage and heal. These see God in the sick and God sees this marvelous work. They are so gentle, kind and patient. Jesus said at the end of this life the people like this will hear some welcome words in the next life. "well done good and faithful servant." Matthew 25. 31  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.   32  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.   33  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34  “Then the King will say to those on his right,...

 8.12- While worshipping online with the Oak Ridge church of Christ this morning I heard a great lesson. It was on Jesus by Matthew Lieske, my friend Joe Wishard's grandson, where He mentioned that we are all prone to like to read and listen to Jesus on areas where He doesn't call us out on something, but if He calls us out on something we don't want to read or hear that verse taught on. Quite a good point. What is your attitude when something is broken? What is your frame of mind when trouble comes to your country? What is your thought when a drought or famine comes to your state? What your point of view of the future of people who move from earth? What is your thoughts when times they are changing in your community? What is your method of getting ahead at work? Jesus addresses these subjects in Matthew 24. If these are set by your culture you get one answer, but if they are set by Jesus you might get another. “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last o...

 8.11- There is a refreshment that comes when people look for us and find us in a time when we are limited in our ability to move about in success.. On my worst days I have had friends who held on to me. I have couple friends who heard me pop off in arrogance and potentially ruin some good peer relationships. They gently guided me back to a better way. These a friends who could see the potential of a better day in me on my worst day. Thank God for them.

 8.10- Joshua believed in his own freedom of choice. He was the leader of his own home and had decided he would serve God number one. Jesus name means Savior and he too said he would not serve the devil. That was His choice to the end. Stephen was a follower of Jesus and he too chose to serve God in his dying breath. Victor Frankl said that "everything can be taken from a man but on thing. The last of a man's freedoms--to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." Jesus chose to forgive those who murdered Him and so did Stephen. Forgiveness sets us free from bitterness and revenge and limits the damage. Thank God for Jesus.

 8.9- Believe something is possible and amazing things can happen. Helen Keller was blind, but she believed she could do amazing things in spite of this and look what happened. Here some amazing things that blind people have done. Blind race car driver? Yes. Blind painter? Yes. Blind architect? Yes. Blind musician? Yes. Blind mountain climber? Yes. How can this be? It requires someone who believes in God and can see the unseen. Jesus was one who believed in His heavenly Father and taught us to pray to Him. He also taught that in for prayer to work properly we must believe, receive, pray without doubting and forgive everyone of anything they have done to us. Then we can receive a blessing that is beyond imagination. Do you believe in God though you cannot see Him? Have you seen people help you in amazing ways who have seen Him carry them through hard times? I have. If you don’t love your neighbor whom you can see, how can you say you love God whom you cannot see? We have neig...

 8.8-     There are two parts to thinking like Jesus. The first half of this mental shift is to stop thinking immature thoughts, which are self-centered and self-seeking. The second half is to start thinking maturely, which focuses on others, not yourself. Thinking of others is the heart of Christlikeness, and the goal of spiritual growth. This kind of thinking is unnatural, counter- cultural, and rare. The only way we will learn to think this way is by filling our minds with the Word of God.           Rick Warren    The Purpose Driven Life Journal