Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 12.11- Watch for the turn. We sometimes plan a big event and it is embarrassing with some mistake. I dreamed all last night about a wedding and it was mess. Mary knew that Jesus was a special person. At age 30 most children don't want their mother telling them what to do. They ran out of wine at a wedding Jesus and Mary attended. She said, "They have no wine." Looking at him I suspect. He said to her "My time has not yet come." She said to the servants, "Do what He tells you." He had them fill six water jars, 180 gallons, then there was a turn. Turn. The servants turned and did what He said. He turned water into the best of wine. He turned embarrassment into the joy of plenty. He turns weakness into strength. He turns problems into opportunities. Today I will watch for Jesus pushing me to turn slow moving lines into worship and prayer. I will see Him turn anxiety into deeper trust by doing what He says. Watch for the turn. John 2. 2  On the third d...

 12.10- Today I will remember to not allow my spirit to be weighed down with this world but celebrate the birth of Jesus as a deep connection with common folks who know about rejection and no room here, but you can stay over there. And poor baby beds and mangers. Who know about sheep and shepherds. Who know about "I bring you good news of great joy." No one will steal my joy today. Luke 2. 2  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.   2  (This was the first census that took place while [ a ]  Quirinius was governor of Syria.)   3  And everyone went to their own town to register. 4  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.   5  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.   6  While they...

 12.9- Dig in or drop out. Work to help ourselves, our family and neighbors is hard. It will have things about it that we don't love. Leave that work for another because it is painful and things might get worse. The goal of life is not comfort or convenience but fruitfulness and maturity. Beyond the perseverance is mutual affection for our fellow human. It is humans around us who point us to the light. Those who try to save their life actually lose the best life according to God. Those who lean into burdens and yoke up with Jesus find his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Don't drop out. Dig in. Romans 5. Dig in or drop out. Work to help ourselves, our family and neighbors is hard. It will have things about it that we don't love. Leave that work for another because it is painful and things might get worse. The goal of life is not comfort or convenience but fruitfulness and maturity. Beyond the perseverance is mutual affection for our fellow human. It is humans ar...

 12.8- Almost half of the New Testament was written by Saul. Why did God chose him for this amazing work? His life would show the patience of God. Do you have a life that requires people around you be patient. That doesn't mean you can't be useful. Saul's words in the Bible 5 Billion books so far. 1 Timothy 1. 12  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.   13  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.   14  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15  Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.   16  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ J...

12.7- Jesus shows us the nature of our Father in heaven. God is love. Jesus is love. Many of my family and friends have admitted that for a long time they had the wrong understanding of who God is. When we have a misunderstanding of who our Father is we get off track with our life of trying to imitate Him. The Father loves it when people who have been hurting themselves and others and wasting money and other resources come to their senses and stop this. Then they start on a path to productive actions. It causes the Father in heaven to want to throw a party with music and dancing and a feast of the best of food. That is who the Father in heaven is. If you have the perception that the Father in heaven is hard and tries to get out of us what we don’t have it means that there is a need to be reeducated. Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen the Father. God is generous. God is patient. God gives us second chances over and over and over. He is patient. He loves people. Rich pe...

 12.6- I'm planning on having a spectacular day today. I will remember that God knows what I need and want but He wants me to be alone with Him and describe things in my words so I can understand things better. I will look for small signs of post Thanksgiving disappointment and have word of upbeat joy for them and we will both have a better day. Though each of us is made in the image of God it is good to remember that I must rely on God more each day to reap the full measure of richness for the day. Ephesians 4. 29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.   30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.   31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.   32  Be kind and compassionate to one ...

 12.5- CBS news in DFW reported this story this weekend. Melissa Highsmith went missing when she was kidnapped at her parents home in Fort Worth in 1971. She was just 22 months old. Over the next 51 years her family and police searched diligently for her. Through DNA testing it was confirmed at age 53 she is indeed this kidnapped baby. It’s overwhelming but it’s the most wonderful thing in the world. Jeffrie Highsmith, her father, recalls the moment he heard his daughter had been found. “They said ‘Dad, she’s alive’, and I started crying…after 51 years, it’s so emotional.” A DNA test from 23andMe connected Melissa’s children with their family. Her family reached out to her on Facebook, Melissa thought it was a scam at first. “My father texted me on messenger and he told me, “You know, I’ve been looking for my daughter for 51 years.” This whole time, Melissa never knew her real family was searching for her. “The person that raised me, I asked her, ‘Is there anything you need t...