Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 1.22- I heard that 9.25.56 was the first clear telephone talk across the Atlantic. An underwater line was put down. Phone study, fellowship friendship is important. Unity and love among my family and friends is one of my greatest joys. I currently have about ten friends I study with weekly and these are scattered across the nation. Yes Fort Worth study partners, but New Jersey, Michigan, Tennessee. North Carolina and Colorado are a regular possibility. We don't agree about everything, but rarely argue or quarrel. We can also speak to the one who created all this possibilty. Prayer. In fact He is the reason we have our long term friendship. I hope you are supported today by feeling close to Him. Matthew 8. 5  When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.   6  “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” 7  Jesus said to him,  “Shall I come and heal him?” 8  The centurion replied, “Lord, I ...

 1.21- Too much of a good thing. Fertilizer on front lawn can burn it if over done. Tree growth. Good shade and playground for birds and squirrels. Yet when limbs scrape my gutters put squirrels on my roof. No. Too much of a good thing. Bad news on radio and television. My recliner. My bed. My covid isolation (I didn't get Covid, I was isolating to prevent getting it). One of the gifts of the children of God is self control. 0ne meatball good ?How many= bad. Coffee. Saying "Yes" or "No.". Pruning is needed in this new year.? Galations 5. 13  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh [ a ] ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.   14  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [ b ]   15  If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16  So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will...

 1.20- At 7.39am on Thursday morning I came over the highest point in my neighborhood. At that exact moment the sunrise happened. Was returning from breakfast with three guys have had breakfast with for the last nine years. I had met them at a Mcdonld's when I first moved here to the Fort Worth area. I saw a story about the source of happiness. A part of it is having deep, close long term friends. These guys have similar goals for their life as I do. They are an encouragement group for me. This year I hope you do yourself a favor and build yourself some good mutual support groups. If they are hopeful, optimistic people who know how to build each other up it will brighten each morning whether you see the sunrise or not. Ephesians 4. 17  So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.   18  They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God beca...

 1.19- We cannot become mature in understanding the love of God today, but we can begin the journey today. Hebrews 5. 11  We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.   12  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!   13  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.   14  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 6 6  Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, [ a ]  and of faith in God,   2  instruction about cleansing rites, [ b ]  the laying ...

 1.18- Want to have a great year? Believe... that God wants to heal our souls regardless of the earthly circumstances we are surrounded by. That our kind, heavenly Father has thought more about our return to our home with Him than we have thought about our leaving or return. That God's commands are set to bless human beings long term. That our Father in heaven is not trillions of light years away but as near as our open hearts. That prayer is always appropriate football field, school, work and car because at best it is as secret as a heart and soul sincerely aligned with God who is love. Matthew 8. 5  When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.   6  “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” 7  Jesus said to him,  “Shall I come and heal him?” 8  The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.   9...

 1.17- One of my most beloved friends told that I was much better at judging others work performance than I was at judging my own work performance. 3000 years ago someone wrote that he who digs a pit for others will fall into it himself. My amazing nephew, Alan Wishard said, "Most of the time we don't judge and condemn those we deeply love." If we focus on loving people more deeply we will be less judgemental. 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 no attention to the plank in your own eye?   4  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?   5  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from ...

 1.16- I grew up on the farm. Begin at 7 am, lunch around noon, quit at 6pn or dark depending on the job. Lazy and slothful were felonies, not misdemeanors. Content. There is a saying from the advertising world that says "sell the sizzle not the steak". It takes an intensive, steady "show up for work each day attitude", mentally dressed for work. If we keep our eyes on our own we will go home tired and fulfilled. If that is not acceptable, we might be at the wrong job. If you get quality steak, cook it right the sizzle will be there. The great workers say, "The proof is in the pudding." The world's greatest teacher said. "Be careful of those who claim to do things that they don't do but demand that you do." If we quit thinking about making impressions and just do the work our life will be simple, focused on the right things and much more effective. 2 Thessalonian 3. 6  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sis...