Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 2.17- Love breaks down walls of division. God loves the whole world regardless of their nation, race or religion. The more we get to know God the more we love all people and drop the toxic attitudes of hate and resentment. Ephesians 2. 11  Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision”  which is  performed in the flesh by human hands—   12  remember  that you were at that time separate from Christ,  [ m ] excluded from  [ n ] the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.   13  But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away  [ o ] have been brought near  [ p ] by the blood of Christ.   14  For He Himself is our peace, who made both  groups into  one and broke down the  [ q ] barrier of...

 2.16- My Valentine. Sheila Lynn Self Wishard. I love this picture for it includes many reasons for love in my life. The front porch of mom and dad who showed me the beauty of love. The 65 Chevy. Sheila pushed me to take risks and walk by faith and buy the car you want instead of a piece of junk. Sheila made me want to dress up and look nice and be the best I could be and I needed that. Then her beautiful hair and lovely smile. I do miss that smile. Happy Valentine Day in heaven babe. 1 Corinthians 13. 4  Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant.   5  It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own  benefit ; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong  suffered ,   6  it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;   7  it  [ b ] keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ...

 2.15- Messy mangers. If you want to have a clean feed trough and a clean barn then you cannot have any cattle. Without any cattle you have no milk and no help for a harvest. People are messy. Babies can make a big mess all over the place and themselves. They grow into teenagers and start to drive and chose their own friends and soon there are additional messy situations. Finally old people get into trouble trying to fix messes with hypocrisy, deceit and false witness. The mess of our regrets could never be fixed by avoiding having anything around that caused a mess. The answer God came up with was to send His Son into the world of mess landing in a messy world in a messy Manger and dying on a messy cross. This allows us to have a way to get rid of our deep regrets through honesty about our need for a God's grace, mercy and peace. "Away in a manger..." Luke 2 2  Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all  [ a ] the in...

 2.14- So sad. i can't sleep tonight. (Shooting in a church in Houston)(4.01am).Praying tonight for all churches around the world which follow Jesus and are learning how to love from Him. This includes learning to love those who hate you. I'm sad and prayerful for the child shot in church in Houston yesterday. Parents need great guidance to work together to protect children from danger and provide a nurturing environment. About 6,000 years ago a book started to be written to help human beings.. Stories of failure and recovery in messy families are there. Words of weeping and confession and overcoming regret is there. It's called the B -I-B-L-E. It's probably on your phone your reading this on. It's available for free. I grew up in a messy imperfect, family, church and community. What was a blessing to us as children, regardless of it being a single parent family or a super big, healthy family, is that it provided extra fathers and mothers when needed. Indeed takes ...

 2.13- Felix, Fred, John, Irv. Bob, RichardJoe, Bill, Reed, Jerry, Steve, Harvey and other men are on my mind today even though it is not Veteran's day,(11.11) it is in my mind. These men served God number one and their nation in war and peace. Great courage and brotherhood they extended to me in my life. They laughed at life and spoke the truth I needed to here whether I liked it or not. Many of these now have gone on to their reward. They were diligent and unfailing in their love for God, country and the work of helping the weak without giving up. I owe a debt of love to them that I cannot repay. 2 Timothy 2. 2  You therefore, my  [ a ] son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.   2  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful  [ b ] people who will be able to teach others also.   3  Suffer hardship with  me , as a good soldier of...

 2.12- At the peak of excellent achievement there people who give praise to the one or ones who got them to this place of honor. Many say their team, coaches, team owners, family, wife, mom or mom and dad. Some say Jesus. Why would they say Jesus? They believe he is not only their creator, their hope in comeback stories, forgiver of their sins but also their wonderful counselor and prince of peace. He counsels them that those who come to them in hard times and through hard times are "family". Those who leave in hard times are not "family". A life of success is built on the cornerstone that failure isn't final and true love never fails. So happy for freedom of religion in America. 2 Timothy 4. 16  At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.   17  But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might  [ g ] be fully accomplished, and that all the Ge...