Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

3.9- Betrayal is often a temptation from the evil one and always causes regret. Deep regret in my own experience. Try to avoid it if possible. Don't say anything behind a friend's back you wouldn't say to their face. I have learned this the hard way and am still relearning it. Thankful for the mercy of my family and friends. For me the most helpful words I have been given to help others are words given to me by those who have extended grace and mercy to me from a time of regret. Luke 22 47  While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd  came , and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading the way for them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.   48  But Jesus said to him,  “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”   49  When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”   50  And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ...

 3.8- G H I Generosity Humility Integrity These are the qualities of my long term friends. I am blessed to interact with about 30 of these people each month. They encourage me by making me laugh especially at myself. They warn me when I get near the guardrails. They care deeply about my family. They pray for me. They call me. They Zoom with me. They text me. They push me to develop these character traits. Generosity Humility Integrity Philippians 2 2  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any  [ a ] affection and compassion,   2  make my joy complete  [ b ] by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.   3  Do nothing  [ c ] from  [ d ] selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;   4  do not  merely  look out for ...

 3.7- There are days we feel like life is squishing us like a bug. We feel small and weak compared to our circumstances. In those moments we must control what we can control and refuse to worry about what is out of our control. We can set our minds on good thoughts, noble acts of courage. We can rejoice in the things that are beautiful. We can cry out for wisdom and as a child of God he promises it to us. This comes in the form of family and friends support. It comes in comfort and guidance and memories of others whom we have seen overcome. I had such a supportive day yesterday. P.S. Five minutes after I wrote this a friend came to my 6am men's group and handed me this "paperweight". Philippans 4 4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!   5  Let your gentle  spirit  be known to all people. The Lord is  [ d ] near.   6  Do not  [ e ] be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanks...

 3.6- Be alert to the danger to your life when you align with someone who prays long prayers for for the poor while taking advantage of them. Luke 20 45  And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples,   46  “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love personal greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,   47  who  [ w ] devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.”

 3.5-  Speaking truth to powerful people. King David had a man from God to tell him had done wrong. It's not easy to tell a person with great power that he has done wrong. Anything worthwhile is not easy. During Watergate Charles Colson told Nixon what he wanted to hear, but later he changed his mind and told the truth to that he had failed God and Nixon during that time of his life. Men and women of God must not say what their culture wants said, but what God wants said. We don't need "ear ticklers" or "yes men". We need Daniels and Nathans and men and women like Sharack, Meshack and Abednigo and Peter and Stephen. Speak the truth in love and let God handle the consequences. Acts 4 4  As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple  guard  and the Sadducees came up to them,   2  being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming  [ a ] in Jesus the resurrection from the dea...

 3.4- Portuguese sundew is a plant that eats an insect that thinks he wii eat it.. The plant puts off a smell that attracts insects. They light on the plant and the glue on the plant grabs the insect. This is way the love of money works. All need some money for needs. Then we can be so devoted to money that it kills our soul. Suddenly instead of owning money, it owns us. The teacher once said to some toxic religion addicts that they loved money instead of God. 1 Timothy 6 3  If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not  [ d ] agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,   4  he is conceited  and  understands nothing; but he  [ e ] has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,   5  and constant friction between people of depraved mind and depriv...

 3.3- Building things you didn't know you needed. For months after I was my cook I didn't know I needed a remodeled oven frame. Trying to cook our first Thanksgiving dinner, we needed I a new oven which required a new oven frame. Jack, my 80 year old learning buddy, built it for me. He works as a volunteer to help those who need a compassionate carpenter. Most often he is building for a someone for a spiritual purpose. I didn't know I needed a new oven frame and oven because we didn't try our old one for months. Jack recruits a couple of younger guys, 75. On this Saturday he has found an elderly couple who need a new fence. He is building a fence using teenagers and their fathers. Wow! The Bridge Builder "An old man going a lone highway, Came, at the evening cold and gray, To a chasm vast and deep and wide. Through which was flowing a sullen tide The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The sullen stream had no fear for him; But he turned when safe on the othe...