Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 1.29- Love is very bold to protect children from harm. The news of six year old having a gun at school and shooting a teacher is disturbing. Love is not weak when it comes to getting rid of anything or anyone who harms children. Religion that covers up abuse of children is not true religion but is false. God is love. Love stands for the teaching and protection of children. Jesus who is God's Son and love in a body said this. If someone harms children it would be better for them to be dead than to harm children. Anyone who destroys children cannot be protected from the consequences of their choices. Matthew 18. 8  At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2  He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.   3  And he said:  “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.   4  Therefore, whoever ...

 1.28- With even small faith in a big God a true gentleman can be formed. Out of weakness a man can learn to rely on God and a man of integrity an be developed. A blameless man. One who speaks the truth from the heart. Who never slanders anyone. Who does no wrong to his neighbor. Who despises vile acts. Who honors those who respect God. A man who keeps his oath even when it hurts. Who has set his eyes on Jesus as his example an will not change his mind. Who lends money to the poor without interest and does not accept bribes. This is the kind of man I want to be as I start over every morning with new mercies to clear out the missteps of yesterday. Psalm 15 Psalm 15 A psalm of David. 1  Lord , who may dwell in your sacred tent?      Who may live on your holy mountain? 2  The one whose walk is blameless,      who does what is righteous,      who speaks the truth from their heart; 3  whose tongue utter...

 1.27- Seven simple words from the model prayer given us by Jesus. These can overcome worry and anxiety.Those who are beginning their career and feel vocationally "lost" need these. At the time we get a message, " you are laid off". When you are on a fixed income and food prices double in a year. Simple words when you believe God always provides for His children. "Give us this day our daily bread" Matthew 6. 9  “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10  your kingdom come, your will be done,      on earth as it is in heaven. 11  Give us today our daily bread. 12  And forgive us our debts,      as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13  And lead us not into temptation, [ a ]      but deliver us from the evil one. [ b ] ’ 14  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.   15  ...

 1.26- Someone in Maine woke up with great riches this morning. 703 million dollars. Now for about 2023 years there have been people waking up with greater riches than that. Riches that last more than 70 or 80 years. These riches are called the pearl of great price spiritual riches. It is worth more than your life. It is a quality of life where courage is given to stand for justice regardless of the cost. Martin Luther King day reminds us It is not just the length of life that counts. Jesus said that you could be poor but move to a place of comfort at death and live forever. His family taught that hope beyond death means we envision those who leave this earth have been "gathered to their people". The tomb of Jesus is empty and therefore we do not grieve as others who have no hope. Riches that last forever is better than 703 million. Luke 12. 13  Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14  Jesus replied,  “Man, ...

 1.25- Some of our country leaders years ago wrote down an important phrase "pursuit of happiness" as a basic right. How are we doing in that enterprise? 2,000 years ago a wise, mature man wrote to a younger man that he should be careful what he was pursuing. If he was pursuing the wrong things he would have regrets. If pursued faith, love, godliness, endurance, righteousness and gentleness that he would be blessed with the deepest kind of happiness. Quarrels, arguments and division and hate is bad. Love for all people is good. What are we pursuing? Some of our country leaders years ago wrote down an important phrase "pursuit of happiness" as a basic right. How are we doing in that enterprise? 2,000 years ago a wise, mature man wrote to a younger man that he should be careful what he was pursuing. If he was pursuing the wrong things he would have regrets. If pursued faith, love, godliness, endurance, righteousness and gentleness that he would be blessed with the dee...

 1.24- If you are tired, weary and burdened when you woke up this morning I know of two humans who have walked a while on earth who understand. I do and so does Jesus. Jesus said come to Him. He will give you rest for your soul. He is so gentle and so humble you will find Him restful to walk with. He never asks us to do anything that he doesn't give us the resources to do it with. He tells to do take one day at a time and one step at a time. Remember to watch for other weak people that you can learn from. One weak person wrote that God puts his love in broken flower pots to show that He is the source of any power we have. We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair and stuck down but not staying down. Matthew 11. 28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   ...

 1.23- There is a famous line in the movie, “Shawshank Redemption” which says, “Get busy living or get busy dying.” We are going to use our bodies or lose our bodies. There is no vacuum that is left open in the realm of the mind, heart and soul. When evil is cleaned out, there must be good placed in or the empty space will be taken over by something worse that what was there originally. Jesus said that you are either for me or against me. You are either gathering or you are scattering. So today I want to be “all in”. I hope I can encourage of you who read this to be all in for the good today. 1 Corinthians 9. 24  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.   25  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.   26  Therefore I do not run like someone runni...