Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 3.10- Gethsemane days are days when followers are reminded that God's plans for lives is not the same as ours. That phrase, "Your will be done, not ours but yours," About 50 years ago a close minister friend became ill. I prayed a thanked God for his effectiveness and asked the great healer for his healing. The healer did not heal him in the way I wanted and the timing I wanted. There was a part of me that wanted to give up on the work of telling people the good news of God's love. There was another part of me that reminded me that I must use this moment to deepen my resolve to stay focused on the words of that phrase. "Your will be done. Not my will but your will in this Gethsemane moment." Luke 22 39  And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.   40  Now when He arrived at the place, He said to them,  “Pray that you do not come into temptation.”   41  And He withdrew from them ab...

3.9- Yesterday, because of the death of my good friend,, Robert Wayne Milton, I was extremely sad. He is more than my good friend. My grandfather was named Authur Abraham Wishard. My dad was named Authur Wayne Wishard. My dad's only brother was named Robert Wishard. My cousin, H. L. Milton was my dad's nephew and my high school chemistry, biology teacher and principal. "Mr. Milton" as I called him was also blessed with an amazing daughter, Ruth Ann Jones, and wonderful son named Robert Wayne Milton. After a seven month fight with cancer, He was who was taken to be Jesus Thursday evening. I had all my close prayer partners begging the healer to help him and get him back to helping all of us with his laughter, support and service. Grandad, retired principal, referee, chaplain, counselor, farmer, rancher The great healer's decision was to heal him forever in heaven. I was stunned. I cried. I did nothing but lay around wanting to be alone with God, my healer all ...

 3.8- Important things Jesus said just before he died. To a crowd killing him, "Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." To a thief dying beside him,"Today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23. 33  And when they came to the place called  [ n ] The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.   34  [ [ o ] But Jesus was saying,  “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” ] And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves.   35  And the people stood by, watching. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the  [ p ] Christ of God, His Chosen One.”   36  The soldiers also ridiculed Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine,   37  and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”   38  Now there was also an inscription...

 3.7- The best kind of life examples are people who speak the truth or nothing at all. Near the beginning of time the greatest deceiver ever said to Adam and Eve that they could be Lawless and rebellious without any negative consequences. This was a significant lie. Choices do have life changing regrets and consequences. Be wise and choose well I am reminded today. One of the big ten is "don't bear false witness." Matthew 5. 33  “Again, you have heard that  [ z ] the ancients were told, ‘ [ aa ] You shall not   [ ab ] make false vows, but shall fulfill your   [ ac ] vows to the Lord .’   34  But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,   35  nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor  [ ad ] by Jerusalem, for it is  the city of the great King .   36  Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. ...

 3.6= Kids need a father who they can respect. He should know his own role in life and be a man who honors and respects God. He should be an example of how to do excellent work with confidence, passion and integrity. He needs to be a one woman kind of man who can admit his own failures. He leads by challenging himself and his children to be the best version of themselves they can be without shaming and exasperating the children. When I reflect on what a perfect father would be I must say I'm thankful for grace and mercy from God and his children entrusted to me. Ephesians 6. 6  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.   2  Honor your father and mother  (which is the first commandment with a promise),   3  so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth . 4  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. All reactions: 14 Amy Wish...

 3.5- Do not let money kill you. Money. Food. Drink. Printing press. Telephone. Smart phone. Internet. Social media. Television. Cars. Tractors. Trucks. Houses. These are neutral in themselves. They can be used for good or evil. People say that the Bible says money is the root of all evil. No. The Bible says "the love of money is the root of all evil." Big difference. It can be a great resource to help people. It can kill you. 1 Timothy 6 10  For  the love of money is a root of all  [ h ] sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have  wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many  [ i ] griefs. All reactions: 6 Amy Wishard Goggins, Denise Cross and 4 others

 3.4- You meet people who focus on quiet work to benefit the children, the powerless the poor and oppressed. 4th grade Sunday school teachers don't become famous.They are known for not talking much especially in public. No Complaining, whining, bellyackin', screaming, crying. hypersensitive overreactions.. No gossip. No slander. No hysterical acting out. If you know someone who has dealt with chronic pain for most of their life and you knew them well but didn't know that about them it means they learned to rely on the lamb of God in long hours of personal fellowship without burdening others unnecessarily. The suffering servant, the lamb of God did not open his mouth. Today is the 18th Month since Sheila was moved to heaven by Jesus. I learned so much from her but still learning how to suffer without opening my mouth. Isaiah 53 7  He was oppressed and afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before it...