Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

 2.16- Bad, perverse speech is a way to prove you want to discount others and therefore yourself. We don't need to use words and speech that seems elite, hypereducated and complicated. We need to use speech that shows freedom and self control that reflects, honor, faith love and gentleness. People who use bad language are not the enemy. They are the victim of the enemy. We need to reach out in love to understand all people to teach them words that build up. I need much grace and mercy in this area. 1 Timothy 6 11  But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,  [ j ] perseverance,  and  gentleness.   12  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and  for which  you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.   13  I direct you in the presence of God, who  [ k ] gives life to a...

 2.15= Being secure in your understanding of the creator of the universe helps- us to have a radiant personality. My valentine, Sheila, learned from her mom and dad that she was a delight to them. Her desire was to please them by working hard and making good grades. By her junior year in college she developed a freedom play more than work on grades so her dad pushed her to go to work. That drew her to the P.E. office where I was training to be a teacher and coach. She took pains to keep her red hair and light smooth skin as healthy as possible. Good self care helped her to care well for others and pushed her husband and kids to work on health. Happy Valentine's Day in heaven to you Sheila, your parents and creator knew something about creating inner heart beauty of spirit along with good health. 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...

 2.14- One of the biggest illusions of this universe is that we don't need a relationship with the creator of it. Genesis 3 3  Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the  Lord  God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”   2  The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;   3  but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”   4  The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die!   5  For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will  [ a ] become like God, knowing good and evil.”   6  When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make  one  wise,...

 2.13- There is a famous story about certain Indian tribes that have a night of aloneness and darkness and danger that young warriors must experience alone. The wolves howl but the young brave must feel and experience his own power to be able to handle anything with the training he has been given. The night fire dies down. He stays awake to resist attack. As the sun rises he is able to see his father was sitting at a distance. He was there watching over the entire process of his encounter with the deep darkness all alone. When we feel forsaken and alone it can be a new awareness there is not a sparrow that falls to the ground alone. God is there with you and understands. God says to his children "I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13 13  Let love of the brothers  and  sisters continue.   2  Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.   3  Remember the pris...

 2.12- One of my trainers, close friend, good example in living well under great stress told me when he was about 70 that he knew more about being young than I knew about being old. I have two of my study buddies who turned 80 in the last three days. Regardless of age, 18 to 78 there are some things children of God need that are given to all ages of men and women. All ages: Self control. Young: Love and power and boldness. Old: Patience, refusal to leave our first love. Zeal. In our weakest moments the grace of God is powered up beyond our own understanding. The wisdom is delivered at exactly the right time for all ages who wish to enjoy life as a banquet. Titus 2.   2  Older men are to be  [ a ] temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in  [ b ] perseverance. 3  Older women likewise  are to be  reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,   4...

c and like yourself in the way that God does, your transformation into being the person you were meant to be will meet less resistance. Romans 15 14  And concerning you, my brothers  and sisters , I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.  

 2.10- Today I will not worry. Anything I am tempted to worry about I will pray about and release to God. I will not slander any leader appointed by God for the work of establishing justice and peace in my nation. I enjoy freedom of worship and speech and I will not take these for granted. I will pray for forgiveness of sins equal to how I have forgiven others. I will forgive anyone of anything so that my hands can be holy and pure and my prayers can be answered "Yes." Romans 13 13  Every  [ a ] person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except  [ b ] from God, and those which exist are established by God.   2  Therefore  [ c ] whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.   3  For rulers are not a cause of fear for  [ d ] good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is g...