Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 8.28- In the year 1898 there was a 13 year old girl who was was attending a congregation that loved to sing hymns. It was probably about that time that she decided to follow Jesus Christ. That year 1898, Johnson Oatman wrote these words that would encourage her and her church from then until now. Lord plant my feet on higher ground This lady was my grandmother and she did go through some hard times. She lost her husband at age 57 when they had seven children and one on the way. She faced a depression. She lost a daughter in death who had a young son. She went through these things carrying in her heart a concept that was made into a song. Lord lift me up and let me stand on heaven's table land. A higher plane than I have found Lord plant my feet on higher ground. My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay. Lord plant my feet on higher ground.

 8.27- The answer to bad religious teaching is not the absence of religious teaching. There is no vacuum. Without any engagement in doing good for the poor and oppressed there is a temptation to make religious rules about personal opinions and bind them on others. Toxic religion is a bad thing. I once had someone involved in an accidential shooting who had thought of themselves as a "murderer". This is not pure religion but toxic religion. America is at her best when she is a humble country with a posture of learning and improving. We keep trying to teach and persuade toward a pure, healthy religion that brings kindness, unity and peace.

 8.26- I wonder how many times I have asked God to heal me and my family. When I was about 14 years old, I ran under a barb wire fence on a horse requiring a total of 30 stitches. One was a deep cut near my juggler vain. Dr. Marcom said 1/8th of an inch deeper and I would have been dead. The doctors and nurses have been so gentle and so skilled. They have generally treated us like family. Thousands of healing incidents over the years. God is my healer but often He uses gifted EMTS, and the heroes to save us. Once Jesus healed 10 lepers and only one came back and said "Thank you!" Jesus said that this one was not only healed but he was "made well." When our hearts have been moved into the position of being grateful to God for our lives it is then that we have truly been "made well" in body, soul, mind and heart. Healed from inside out. Thank you God for setting up our bodies to heal. For giving us great helpers. Most of all for Jesus teaching us to be gr...

 8.25- 50 21 Fellowsoldiers. I watched a documentary last night about soldiers with PTSD. We send them into battle to stand up for the protection of our nation. When they get into battle they discover things are not as clearly black and white as they had thought. They learn to fight for each other as fellowsoldiers. They become so bonded to each other that they would compete to fall on a landmine to save each other. When they come home they don't have that kind of support. They have found that dog companions can become better than medicene for them. Men have aligned themselves with me as close fellowsoldiers in the spiritual battle of living your best life down here on earth. 50 21 I took a mental survey this morning of my fellowsoldiers who are still working here on earth with me. I can call them any time of day or night and they will take my call. They will do anything they can to help me. Even at age 75 I am blessed that 50 are still here on earth working for the same mission ...

 8.24- Do you need? Want do want? What do you desire? Our creator has designed us with the ability to -refuse to doubt -ask -believe -receive -forgive anyone in the same way we want to be forgiven. Since our creator is loving He will work out all things for our good. Mark 11. 22  “Have faith in God,”  Jesus answered.   23  “Truly [ f ]  I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.   24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.   25  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”   [26]  [ g ]

 8.23- Thank you God for rain pouring down right now in North Richland Hills. We have needed this badly and our preacher on Sunday prayed to our God for it. The reality is that every good gift from our God. He gives rain for fruits, veggies and all our food. He sends rains on those who are against Him and those of us who love Him. God is so good. James 5. 17  Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.   18  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19  My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,   20  remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

 8.22- Some of you are finishing your work on earth. Others helping those who are. Remember this "Holy Ground".There is a hyper alertness and deep observation in these moments. Don't be alarmed. Yes death is real, but so is Jesus' resurrection and our own. He has gone ahead of us and will come back and pick us up and take us to heaven with Him and the Father. Believers have blessings on earth of knowing what is our work that has meaning. Making disciples of Jesus. We overcome many times of danger to continue our work by His grace and strength. Then the time comes for us feel the pull of those nail scarred, never dropped anyone hands and be gathered to our people. Don't alarmed. Use the time for beautiful acts of love. This is Holy Ground. 2 Timothy 4. 6  For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.   7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.   8  Now th...