Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 11.13- I was thinking about my good news for today. People who consider themselves very bad people can become great people. The most widely read spiritual writer in the last 2,000 years is a guy who wrote that he considered himself the very worst of people, but God chose to save him and transform him. The apostle Paul became a worker to spread the message of God’s flow of grace, mercy and peace into the hearts of people who will receive these. There was this popular morning television news host who was a "germaphobe". He took pictures of germs on door handles and smart phones and desks and shamed everyone around him while he keep purrell in all his pockets. What appeared to destroy his career and his family and his life was the spiritual germs that the devil put in front of him. He was accused of sexually harassment of some of his co workers and was fired immediately. He hasn’t been around for several years even on their tapes of the show. The good news is that the wor...

 11.12- What we can learn from people who are longsuffering. They receive and depend upon the grace and peace of God. They love the difficult to love and keep it growing. They are brothers and sisters who are growing more and more in their faith. They have persevere. They keep their faith in spite of trials. They have been judged worthy of suffering by God and rejoice in their difficult situation. They believe in a God who is just and righteous. They finish strong and received their desire to experience total goodness. They glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1 1  Paul, Silas [ a ]  and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2  Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer 3  We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, [ b ]  and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one an...

 11.11= Today is my wife's birthday.  She went to church with me every Sunday we were married for 55 years and we loved the fellowship we found in the church.  Both of us had been raised being taken to church by our parents. Where can you go where everyone is welcome regardless of their income level or whatever kind of home or neighborhood they live in. They are welcome to come and learn together regardless of age from 8 days to 88 years. They are can find joy if the like joyful, upbeat music or slow and sad songs. They are from all nations and all ethnic groups and all are one group. There is no division even during election cycles. Where can you find such a friendly, supportive comforting group? I found this at my home congregation this morning. When you need to receive a fix of the love of God a church that centers on worshipping Jesus Christ is the place to be. Hebrews 10. 19  Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most H...

 11.10- For as long as I can remember I was warned about the problem with religions that are formed by men instead of God. They care more about their rules than about honoring God by having compassion for people. When Jesus broke their rules and restored a man to health they wanted to kill Him for breaking their religious rules. He looked around at them in anger because of their stubborn hearts. When people use their religion as an excuse to not help people, God is not pleased. If anger motivates us to keep doing the right thing then this is a way to "be angry and sin not". I am very much for true religion which is helping those in need and keeping oneself from the filth of this world, but I am not for religion that robs widows and prays long prayers. James 1. 26  Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.   27  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure a...

 11.9- Don't burn bridges. Do build bridges. Romans 12. 17  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.   18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.   19  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” [ d ]  says the Lord.   20  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;      if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” [ e ] 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

11.8- I parked carefully in the compact car section because the handicapped parking was full. I was in the middle of my white lines. When I came out of the restaurant the next car had gotten on the white line with his/her van. My friend walking with me to the car said, "Can you get in there?" "I think so" These are tense, prayerful times. I have been taught to have a non-judgemental interpretation of things. This could have been a son running in and out to get pick up food for his family at the hospital with dad who just had a heart attack. I inhaled and squeezed in thankful I had in cup of chili instead of the bowl. So thankful for Jesus' teaching about careful with our attitude and be better instead of bitter. Matthew 7. 7  “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.   2  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3  “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay n...

 11.7- Human beings have the task of not misusing animals. I saw several city horses and a herd of city cows. North Richland Hills, Keller and Colleyville have farm animals and even a corn field. I drove two hours up to Gober Texas and beyond to Oak Ridge.and saw a herd of Longhorns. Both groups of humans, city and country, appeared to be preparing well for the winter upcoming. Bales of hay wrapped in plastic. Fall rains have been so needed and appreciated. We are grateful. God provides witness to His love with rains and fruit. I had baked beans and a fabulous bacon cheeseburger at Mama's Trailer. Thank you Carol Wishard. No better food and fellowship. The trees are turning. Green, yellow, orange, rust and brown. Cool temperatures with windows down and what hair I have blowing in the wind down Sam Rayburn highway. Wise men have written that God has written His presence all over nature. He teaches His children to take care of the earth and the animals whether city or country....