Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 10.8- I want to remind myself today of certain realities. We all need a lot of grace and space. My family and friends give me a bunch of both. My favorite people do not take family for granted. They don't want to be overly sensitive or easily offended by things done and not done. They strive daily to never, yes never, use guilt to manipulate anyone especially family. They are happy campers. They live a life grace, mercy and peace and pass it on. Early in Paul's relationship with Mark he said that Mark wasn't useful to be a team member with him because he had turned back on a mission. Later Paul said bring Mark because he is useful. About himself he said that Paul himself, from his perspective, was the very worst of sinners and yet he was a beloved child of God. Humility is good. Arrogance is bad. Phlilippians 2. 2  Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness...

 10.7- People that stand for justice will not be popular in their own times. The teacher said "Woe be unto you when everyone speaks well of you." Yes. Love your enemies and pray for them. But remember these words from Charles Mackay "You have no enemies, you say? Alas, my friend, the boast is poor. He who has mingled in the fray of duty that the brave endure, must have made foes. If you have none, small is the work that you have done. You’ve hit no traitor on the hip. You’ve dashed no cup from perjured lip. You’ve never turned the wrong to right. You’ve been a coward in the fight." Luke 6 26  Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,      for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

 10.6- 1000 years ago it was written The quality of your life depends upon quality of your thoughts. 2000 years ago the teacher said "look at the birds do they worry? No." 3000 years ago a wise man wrote that the creator of all humans has set eternity in the hearts of all humans. Worry is a thought that does not lengthen your life. A broken fisherman wrote, "Cast all your cares on your maker for he cares for you" 1 Peter 5. 6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.   7  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.   9  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 10.5 What do about failure? Yes it happens. Admit it to yourself. Confess it to your Father. Admit it to those who love and care for you. Receive the love and forgiveness of God. He paid for it for you and wants you to have it. Move forward to help others who may need your help. Be thankful for grace, mercy and peace. Live a life of not shaming yourself or others. John 21. Jesus Reinstates Peter 15  When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,  “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said,  “Feed my lambs.” 16  Again Jesus said,  “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said,  “Take care of my sheep.” 17  The third time he said to him,  “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time,  “Do you love me?”  He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know ...

 10.4- It is great thing that close family and friends stay with us through "thick and thin". There is a last mile of the way on the marathon of life where no one else can go with us except our Father in heaven. He has revealed who He is so we can be calm and secure in that "alone". We, as His children, may feel alone, but we are not actually alone. Some hymn writers have picked up on this. We can grow in our knowledge of who He is by observing the design of the universe and learning about Him from those around who imitative His love daily. Look at the helpers in the hard times. Oh, what love, matchless love, Oh, what love for me was shown! His forever I will be, For the love He gave to me, When He suffered all alone. “Tarry here,” He told the three, “Tarry here and watch for Me,” But they heard no bitter moan; For the three disciples slept While my loving Savior wept In Gethsemane, alone. Long in anguish deep was He, Weeping there for you and me, For our sin to ...

 10.3- The first blessing of love is communicating forgiveness, grace, mercy and peace. This sets the mind at ease in the relationship. This goodness from the heart will take down walls to set up good communication. With the bridge of communication open there can be a number of ways we can encourage those around us to move forward to accomplish the best forward path that they can. I heard an additional verse to the serenity prayer that I had not heard. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen. Matthew 6. 25  “Therefore I tell you,...

 10.2- Courage is also the willingness to stand with what's right even if you stand alone. Children should never be seen as a burden or a a waste of time. They are the ones who can teach us how to love all people. Young and old, male and female. Black, brown and white. Unless we change and learn to love all of God's children we are missing a part of the banquet of life. Matthew 18. 18  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 takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.   5  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.