Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 2.9- The difference between a very fruitful and successful life is how we react to trouble, suffering and pain. If we see it as normal in a life worth living then it is a distraction, but the beginning of a new stage of our opportunity to help new people in new ways. When we resist moving forward in our pain we resist new, deep meaningful experiences with God and his children. Matthew 5 10  “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11  “Blessed are you when  people  insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.   12  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 2.8- "Why we do something is more important than what we do. The greatest treason is to do the right thing for the wrong reason." Katherine Wlofe 1 Corinthians 13 13  If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.   2  If I have  the gift of  prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.   3  And if I give away all my possessions  to charity , and if I surrender my body so that I may  [ a ] glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.

 2.7- Church, as we know, is people, not a building. Our congregation has met in a Tabernacle sheet metal shed and now a brick building. We see this after a fire or tornado destroys the building. I remember going to the meeting at times in a wagon. I can still see the coal burning pot belly stove in the middle of the room.that provided physical warmth. The spiritual warmth was from men and women and children that loved to be together. My start with Oak Ridge church was 1946, but it started in 1879. You don't any money to attend. No tickets are sold to attend an event for learning and worship. The warmth is still the feeling of love. acceptance and challenge to grow stronger. Regardless of our age our zeal starts too cool off and we need to be refired up for love of God and people. There is a secret, perpetual and alarming rebellion that exists in the hearts of all people who have been followers of God for a long time. A war in the heart and soul between good and evil continues. ...

 2.6 I met God on the way up, but I got to know him on the way down. 2 Samuel 12 12  Then the  Lord  sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and  [ a ] said, “There were two men in a city, the one wealthy and the other poor. 2  The wealthy man had a great many flocks and herds. 3  But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb Which he bought and nurtured; And it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat  [ b ] scraps from him and drink from his cup and lie  [ c ] in his lap, And was like a daughter to him. 4  Now a visitor came to the wealthy man, And he could not bring himself to take  any animal  from his own flock or his own herd, To prepare for the traveler who had come to him; So he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5  Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the  Lord  lives, the...

2.5- When we are in a life storm it seems dangerous and uncomfortable. If we know we are children of God, we are comforted knowing his plans for us are good and not harm. Still, we can become fearful instead of bold. When we spend time with the teacher, love drives out fear. When Peter was looking at the teacher he could walk on the storm. When he looked at the storm he started to sink. He cried out and the teacher carried him back to safety as he walked on the water. So I go forth today through storms of life on earth. On good days I focus my eyes on the teacher and the work he gives me for today. One day at a time. Each time I sink down he picks me up. Matthew 14 22  Immediately  afterward  He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.   23  After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.   24...

 2,4- Angels are messengers from God. They know what they are doing. They are powerful. They know what to do and when to do it. They know when to start and when to stop. They are amazing. I have had some almost angels human type to pick me up when I was down and out. I would be ready to quit and these would say, "Oh no. You're not quitting dude. I've invested too much in you to let you quit." John 21 12  Jesus *said to them,  “Come  and  have breakfast.”  None of the disciples ventured to inquire of Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.   13  Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave  it  to them, and the fish likewise.   14  This was now the third time that Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. The Love Question 15  Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter,  “Simon,  son  of John, do you  [ e ] love Me mo...

 2.3- George Whitfield was a famous preacher in the early 20th century. A woman was converted who attended his congregation. She was asked what sermon he preached when she was converted. "It was not a sermon. I lived in his home as a foster child from age 9. I saw his sweetness and kindness and said to myself. I want his God to be my God." 1 Peter 3. 3  In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any  of them  are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives,   2  as they observe your pure  [ a ] and respectful behavior.   3  Your adornment must not be  merely  the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold  jewelry , or putting on apparel;   4  but  it should be  the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable  quality  of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.   5  Fo...