Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

1.17- How do we as Christians relate to our government? Romans 13. 13  1-3  Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. 3-5  Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you’ll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you’re breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live. 6-7  That’s also why you pay taxes—so that an o...

1.16.18 An old farmer owned an old mule.   The mule fell into the farmer’s well.   The farmer heard the mule braying.   After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule or the well was worth the trouble of saving.   Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.   Initially, the old mule was hysterical!   But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back…a though struck him.   It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back…HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!   This he did, blow after blow.   “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!”   he repeated to encourage himself.   No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed...

1.16- How should I treat those who oppose me? Romans 12. 14-16  Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. 17-19  Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” 20-21  Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

1.15.18- In honor of Martin Luther King day Good-hearted men and women do what they can to help people to choose to do things that are consistent with the better angels of their natures. One of the evil things an evil man does is to show you how weak humans beings can be.   They use money and power to dangle before good-hearted, but weak men and women to see how vulnerable they are.   This too is evil. Look at leaders who dangle money and power and do not hate them.   Do not be bitter.   Do not be hostile. Pray for them.   Forgive them.   Ask God to bless them.   Do not imitate them.   Do confront them if God places you in that position. When I lived in Denver there was an a time that Mother Teresa was on the same program and Bill Clinton, the president at the time.   When it came her time to speak, she spoke directly to Bill Clinton.   She said, “Mr. Clinton you need to do all you can to stop the abortion that is ...