Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 4.16- Passover. Lambs. Blood protection. Crosses are places of blood, suffering, loud cries, hard questions, "Why", nakedness and other hard smelly human things. Jesus came and after hard prayer moved toward them to save Barrabus and me and many others for the last 2000 plus years. Luke 23. 8  When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort.   9  He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.   10  The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him.   11  Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.   12  That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies. 13  Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,   14...

 4.15- Jesus must be the number one teacher in the life of his disciples. Over your parents. Over your spouse. Over your grandparents. Over your preacher. He will make us much better family members. He will help us to be better servants, more kind and less arguemenative, less judgemental. More supportive of good thinking. Pat Snyder and Jerry visited me about a month ago. They have four boys and a large, loving clan. At the start Pat, made it clear to Jerry that she was following Jesus number one. Later, Jerry became one the best Christian leaders I have known. When the boys were college age they came through Denver on a ski trip and visited us. One of their sons, Travis, was moved to heaven by Jesus a few years ago. This picture has a another citizen of heaven,Sheila, on the left. That Sunday morning following this picture we went to church to worship Jesus and celebrate the empty tomb. "He is risen." (Jerry and Travis kneeling.) Luke 14. 25  Large crowds were traveling w...

 4.14- t's now Sunday in Syndey Australia. One of their guiding principles is that when it comes to overcoming problems that drag us down we cannot depend upon our own strength but must rely on the power of God to overcome. I agree. That power was never more demonstrated than that one tomb in the cemetery that was empty. Jesus tomb. In Syndey and other cities in Australia A group is meeting there this morning to celebrate that empty tomb that gives us hope because of the promise of Jesus. In 1879 group of people who follow Jesus Christ started meeting togther at the Oak Ridge church of Christ. Each week they gather in person and online now across America and around the world to celebrate the life of Jesus Christ. They pray for each other. They strive to lay down their lives for each other and the needy in their community nearby, Ladonia, Texas. I am thankful to be part of their congregation in person when I can and online when I cannot. Tomorrow churches around the world w...

 4.13- Basic training. Football workouts. Drills. Doing what I can't do. Building muscle memory. Basic instinctively must be counter intuitive. The narrow. The road less chosen. A few good men and women. Refusing to retaliate and leave revenge to God. Loving all people including your enemies. This is the cross we must all take up to be a disciple of Jesus. Most of us don't choose and consistently hold this position. I know I don't, but on Saturday between the good Friday death of Jesus and Easter resurrection I think of laying down the control of life and releasing it 100% to our Father. Jesus did as a 100% human. He wrestled with it in Gethsemane and then released it to death and the grave. It's Saturday but Sunday's coming. Hebrews 12. 4  In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.   5  And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, d...

 4.12- One of the most famous history writers is Josephus, born 37 A. D. He wrote that most of twelve apostles died as martyrs, except John. They along with 500 others saw the resurrected Jesus. This year is my first Easter to have watched someone I was with almost every day for 56 years as Jesus took her to Paradise. There were two criminals Jesus reached out to on his last day before His death. One chose his own selfish, rebelious way and one chose Jesus' way. The one who chose Jesus' way spoke the truth to Jesus and his fellow sinner, a criminal. Believe that all humans are big sinners and there is no such thing as big sinners and little sinners in the sight of God. He confessed Jesus is King and not himself or anyone else. Only Jesus' tomb is empty. Respect God and receive His grace, mercy and peace. Face your suffering and darkness. Three hours or longer. When you day comes,Go with Jesus to Paradise. Your body stays here your soul goes to Our Father with Jesus. Take yo...