Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 9.25- The greatest life includes having mercy and compassion enough to lay down one’s life for others.   Good mothers and fathers and soldiers and policemen and women and firemen and teachers and coaches and Doctors and nurses and many others do this as a part of their daily lives.   God sets us up in families so we will not be lonely and have the resources that we need in times of joy and sorrow. Psalm 68 Psalm 68 [ a ] For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song. 1  May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;      may his foes flee before him. 2  May you blow them away like smoke—      as wax melts before the fire,      may the wicked perish before God. 3  But may the righteous be glad      and rejoice before God;      may they be happy and joyful. 4  Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,  ...

 9.24- In the family of God we need to be reminded not to take advantage of each other.  There are rich followers of Jesus and there are some poor followers.  There are oppressed followers and there are liberated free followers.  They can help each other without being an unnecessary burden to each other.  If one has a boss or leader who is also a believer is not a reason to do “get by” work.  We should being doing  our work as wholeheartedly for the Lord Himself. 1 Timothy 6. 6  All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.   2  Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare [ a ]  of their slaves.

 9.23- A cheap building is build with cheap materials.   The kind of life that holds up in the long run is built on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.   If we don’t build on this as the basic center of our life then we are “off kilter”.   God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.   That is the way He showed us all that He is love and our of His heart flows compassion and grace and mercy and peace.   I remember when I really started following Jesus intentionally that He taught me that I didn’t need to fear being close to Him, I needed to fear drifting away from Him. All of you reading this who are weak and tired.   Go to Jesus and tell Him you want His help.   He will help you because his yoke is easy and his burden is light.   He is humble and gentle in soul.   Everything you are going through is something that He understands.   He was tempted in all points that we are.   He found a way of escape f...

 9.22- Weakness is an opportunity to receive.   Jesus teaches it is more blessed to give than receive, but it is a blessing to receive also. Those of us who love to study the word and teach it also have times of weakness in our lives.   We need to admit this and allow God’s help and He uses His children as a channel of blessing to us.   A call. A card. A text. A gift. Sheila and I have a good friend who sent us this little comforting blanket. Three little prayers answered in one little brown box at our door. Help! Wow! And Thank you! How is it that God knows just how and when to deliver things into our lives that we need.   He is omniscient, all knowing.   He hears our cries and tears.   He knows the gifts and such that are in the hearts of His children and puts good ideas into hearts at the right time. I have started to believe more in God incidence instead of Coincidence.

 9.21- I have been reminded this year that all of us who have decided to follow Jesus will go through some times of trouble.   Suffering, sickness, frustration, disappointment, disillusion and ever persecution for one’s faith is normal in this world. God is love.   He is flowing out into this world his grace and peace on a daily basis. He gives us people who are supportive and thankful for us and they let us know this through spoken and written words. He has given each of His children the Holy Spirit as a gift and the gifts powered by the Holy Spirit are to be used to keep us going in hard times and to bless others as well. In times of trouble it helps to remember that God is faithful to His children always.   He is the good shepherd. Some churches have had great trouble because instead of depending upon God’s faithfulness, they get invested in the strength of some men and women who are the flesh and blood workers in the local situation.   All of these...

 9.20- Jesus as the Master teacher is  a good news message that spread because people were willing to speak with people who came at things from a different point of view.   Today there is a danger of thinking in “silos of thought”.    “We” are right on everything and “they” are wrong on everything.   Jesus taught that there is none who !00% good.   To believe that you are perfectly right and good is to be deluded by hubris and set up to fail because of lack of desire to learn from others and other groups.   The Jews in synagogue would listen to Paul as he explained that Jesus was the Messiah who fulfilled the Scriptures.   Some were persuaded. If you are listening to a message that is new to you it would be good to evaluate it on its on merits.   Do not allow fear of others and the jealousy of religious leaders keep you from learning and believing the good news that Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. He pleased God the Father in ...

 9.19- I was blind, but now I see. Wow! God what a glorious pre-fall summer day in North Texas today. I saw just a bit of leaf change on my trip up the country to Honey Grove, Bugtussle and Oak Ridge Texas on Tuesday. God displays his work in the attitude of people who pursue excellence in their work before money. I drove to Mama’s trailer for lunch and Carol Wishard fixed me a bacon burger with all the trimmings, a pasta salad, pumpkin bread and tea. There was a table and chairs and a large umbrella with a nice breeze to keep things cool. She introduced me to the other customers whom I had not met, though most of her customers were my cousins. As usual she prepared delicious food. If you have not eaten at Mama’s trailer it is worth the trip. Just look for the big silo. God is awesome. He allows us to see clearly especially if we need and have glasses. This requires technology and men and women who know how to measure your exact needs. I have another friend who shaped my l...