Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 12.4- To believe in Jesus is not just to prepare for death but to prepare for a life where there is no death. Jesus teaches His followers that for those who believe in Him there is no death. Of course He is referring to spiritual death. The point I'm making is that Jesus aligns our priorities in life so that we really live. We experience and give and receive deep love. Many of us exchanged this love over Thanksgiving and what blessing. John 11. 25  Jesus said to her,  “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;   26  and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

 1.3- The Christmas season constantly is distracting people from what is best about Christ. I’m not complaining about the American experience of Christmas season, but trying to help all of us observe what gives us the best experiences what gives us close fellowship with friends and family what gives us artistic, musical joy what gives us a warmth of heart with people extending mercy to each other. what helps us to stay focused on baby Jesus in the manger during the storms of life. Anchor families are families that are filled with joy, happiness and support for each other during every kind of adversity. What qualities do they have? Not perfection because their are no perfect families, but their are healthy families. What can you observe about their celebration of holidays including Christmas? They look at what worked in the families they came from and drop what didn’t work and add what has worked well for a healthy, long life of joy and service. They feel a close connection with G...

 12.3- There and number of places where Jesus asked his followers to make sacrifices for a cause larger than themselves and he promises that beyond the immediate pain there will come great joy. He uses birthpain as an illustration. After travail comes joy. When we do other hard things there is an amazing gift on the other side. You are about to give a gift to God at church and God reminds you of a person you need to forgive or be reconciled with and you go and do all you can. Very hard and painful but later there comes the relief that you have done all you can leave it in the Lord's hands. This reduces regrets. With humility and apology reconciliation a forgiveness can bring healing. "As much as lies within you be at peace with all people." The best gift we can give God is to be an ambassador of reconciliation. Matthew 5. 23  “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,   24  leave y...

 12.2- Giving minimum service. Get by work. Versus second mile service. If you were trained by your family and others to be excellent then you have been truly blessed. Yesterday we were treated to second mile service by a manager of a Honey Baked Ham store. Our daughter did a good job setting up our Thanksgiving dinner. I picked it up and the clerk looked at the order. I asked her to double check it. She said she did. Then just before lunch we found a mistake of short two items we had ordered and paid. Watch excellent service. Amy emailed the company. In less than one hour the manager brought it to our door with extras and an apology. That is second mile service. Jesus teaches us to be excellent servants. Don't cover up mistakes. Use them to prove your heart and soul is full of grace and truth. If you were taught this by your family you have been blessed. To whom much is given much shall be required. Thank you God for great helpers. Matthew 5.   41  If anyone forces you t...

 12.1- On holiday we get to sleep in. We eat what we want temporarily. We try to treat each other in a loving and patient way. If we are blessed to be with our family, we cherish those still with us more than ever as we lose some who are moved to heaven by Jesus. Holidays are also a time when we can reflect on what matters to us. People matter more than things. To extend to our family the mercy God has healed us with will not be regretted. Holiday is rest for or souls. We get weary chasing illusions of riches, fame, celebrity and earthly security. Billions lost in cyrto coin ponzi schemes to secure an easy life. Woman goes to prison for eleven years selling the snake oil of curing all medical problems with a drop of blood. Jesus said never trade your soul for money. Holiday is a time to re center ourselves on our core values. Oh little town of Bethlehem. Luke 10. 38  As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her ...

 11.30- Thankful today for the men and women who have been my teachers. At times they seemed surrounded by impossible circumstances, but they had faith in God who surrounded those circumstances. A few stand out as making a gigantic impression on me for a lifetime. Their key method was teaching by example. They were peaceful people. Resilience was illustrated in their lives by what they did after they were rejected. They kept on doing what they were supposed to do. They followed the example and words of Jesus regardless of what the world thought of it. Their child like faith and dependance upon God allowed them to see things that others could not see. Their lives were not easy even though looking back their lives had a simplicity to them. Two basic things. Love God 100% and love others they way they wanted to be loved. They loved helping people who were down and they were good listeners. Thank you God for our teachers. Luke 10. 25  On one occasion an expert in the law sto...

 11.29- I have waited until this holiday and I think this is the day. She and her husband have been loyal friends. When she found out we were hurting she couldn't come immediately but in the next day or so a package come to the door. It was too precious to use. Once King David was in battle and he thought of the best water he had tasted. "Wouldn't water from Bethlehem be good?" The city was behind the lines of battle. Two soldiers heard him and decided to risk their lives for him. They went and got it for him. It was too precious to use. He poured it out as as offering to God. This package at the door was a soft chair comforter. I have not wanted to use it until today. My water of life was born in Bethlehem. He gave me my life and family and good friends like Ben and Denise Cross. 2 Samuel 23. 8  These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, [ a ]  a Tahkemonite, [ b ]  was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom ...

 11.28- The churches Jesus is building are not trying to beat people down and get political power but are trying to pick people up and be Helpers to the fatherless. They want to have compassion for the poor, hungry, powerless and oppressed. They are not concerned with being popular but being a reflection Jesus work in our community. Our Father's will done in our neighborhoods as it is in heaven. Luke 6 20  Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor,      for yours is the kingdom of God. 21  Blessed are you who hunger now,      for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now,      for you will laugh. 22  Blessed are you when people hate you,      when they exclude you and insult you      and reject your name as evil,          because of the Son of Man. 23  “Rejoice in that day and leap for j...