Refreshing Our Spirits With Scripture

7.27-A new attitude about our enemies Psalm 17. 8  Keep me as the apple of your eye;      hide me in the shadow of your wings 9  from the wicked who are out to destroy me,       from my mortal enemies who surround me. 10  They close up their callous hearts,      and their mouths speak with arrogance. 11  They have tracked me down, they now surround me,      with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. 12  They are like a lion hungry for prey,      like a fierce lion crouching in cover. 13  Rise up, Lord , confront them, bring them down;      with your sword rescue me from the wicked. 14  By your hand save me from such people, Lord ,      from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;      may their children gorge th...

7.26- Perfect justice and perfect righteousness are difficult concepts for us to grasp. God is holy.  When it comes to sin and evil it is necessary for Him to make sure that the consequences of evil are consistently carried out as a teaching for humans to learn how to live well. He has set up a universe with humans having free will choice.  That choice means to choose love or fear.  That choice means to obey God or rebel against Him.  With the rebellion and disobedience come negative outcomes.  This is how we learn. God is love.  He wants all people to be saved and redeemed from the consequences of their sinful choices.  The Bible teaches that all men are sinners and yet God is love and wants to save them. In the Bible we learn that the path to forgiveness involves the shedding of blood of the innocent to pay for the sin of the guilty. They offered lambs blood to atone for their sins in the Old Testament, but it was not effective because th...

7.25- There are times when we get jealous of someone's generosity to others. Matthew 20. 20  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2  He agreed to pay them a denarius [ a ] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3  “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4  He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5  So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6  About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ 7  “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8  “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the...

7.24- The Lord is the Helper of the Weak Do you feel weak? It is in times of weakness that we are most aware of God's presence in our lives. . Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 2 Chronicles 14. 11  Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “ Lord , there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord , you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”   2 Corinthians 12. 8  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weak...

7.23- Six years ago we rolled into Fort Worth and for the first time in nearly forty years we were looking for a church near our home to get into the habit of meeting together with for congregational worship. We picked the Hills church in North Richland Hills and have been very happy there. What we were looking for. 1. A church love God and each other. 2. They love strangers. 3. They love Scripture and know its power. 4. They know the need to focus on Good news. 5. They know and talk often of their mission. 6. They love to sings songs of praise. 7. They love their leaders, both volunteer and staff. 8. They are not wasteful of resources. 9. They are transparent with finances. 10. They walk with Jesus and enjoy their life together. John 13. 34  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 1 Corinthians 13. 13...

7.22- 1 Timothy 6. 6  All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2  Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare [ a ] of their slaves.

7.21- 2 Thessalonians 3. 6  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching [ a ] you received from us. 7  For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8  nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9  We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

7.20- 1Thessalonians 4. 11  and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12  so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

7.19 Ephesians 6. 5  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6  Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8  because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. 9  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. Colossians 3. 22  Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24  since you ...

7.18- Good work ethics My dad was my first work boss. He cared. He worked six days a week at least 12 hours per day at two jobs.  He was a farmer and rancher and he was butcher or grocery store worker.  Some work was hard and intense and some was enjoyable, even fun. His motto was treat co-workers and customers they way you want to be treated.  Co-workers were family and customers were to be treated fairly. Here are some good Scriptures for workers: Matthew 11. 28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

7.17- Noon and tired.  It does happen.  40 minutes in the current against the river and I'm tired at 11.01am.  Still there are opportunities.  I met Lisa there with Sheila today.  She said she had bad back problems and had surgery to fix the back, but the surgeon cut something else.  Now she can't feel her feet.  That causes other problems and she is tired of this struggle, but with some exchanged smiles we tried to encourage her. Jesus is a friend who understands tired.  Are you ever sick and tired of being sick and tired?  Jesus is the best friend we could have. John 4. 4  Now he had to go through Samaria. 5  So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6  Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 2 Corinthians 4. 16  Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasti...

7.16- Avoid Immorality Immorality kills. Turn to Jesus for a fresh start anytime you feel overcome with the wrong kind of thoughts and actions.  Turn to Him for a fresh start. Matthew 5. 8  Blessed are the pure in heart,      for they will see God. 27  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [ e ] 28  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29  If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30  And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.   Proverbs 9. 13  Folly is an unruly woman;      she is simple and knows nothing. 14  She sits a...

7.15- When someone has done something bad to us there is a tendency to take our own revenge and this is a great danger to any Jesus follower.  We don't know all that God knows about the case.  He knows the beginning the middle and the possible outcome.  We don't.  We must be careful to stand for justice through the government systems given to us by God for such purposes. Romans 13. 13  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4  For the one in authority is God’s ser...

7.14- Travel light.  Don't carry a bunch of extra stuff. Six years ago today my wife slept in her Denver bed for the last time before our move.  She worked all night the night of the ninth of July and on the 10th at 5pm we walked out of the house we had called home for 30 years. We drove to Los Vegas New Mexico and crashed into the motel bed. She had given so much of herself to get everything ready for the move.  She had to help me with a broken knee cap for six weeks after my fall on 3.22.13.  Then she had my surgery to cope with.  On top of this was the disposition of everything we didn't want to move. Some given away to charity. Some give to neighbors and friends. Some sold at a garage sale. Some became trash. Then the remainder to be packed in boxes for the move to Texas.  Much hard work and mostly done by Sheila with a little help from our grandsons, Jared and Jordan and then on July 9 and 10th.  One long day for Sheila it all wrapp...

7.13- At the cross we face the pain and the gain. Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross Fanny Crosby was blind but she had insight to write these words. Jesus, keep me near the cross,   This song filled my heart today as I walked around the water therapy river at my health club.  I was thinking about my encounter with Horace Couch at the club yesterday and today.   There a precious fountain— Free to all, a healing stream— Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain. Refrain: In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river. Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and Mercy found me; There the bright and morning star Sheds its beams around me. Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me. Near the cross I’ll watch and wait Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand, Just beyond the river. Another cross song says,    At the...

7.12- How long have you been at your job? How long have you had your close friends? How long have you been active in a local service group? If there are answers of only a short time, could it be because you are not truthful.  Endurance in service for many years speaks of verbal integrity.  Job hopping is sometimes because someone has not learned to be truthful. When you are trying to establish a person's integrity and credibility ask the question, "How long have you....?" Proverbs 12. 19  Truthful lips endure forever,      but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

7.11- Jesus is either Lord or a Liar.  He is not just a good moral teacher.  God raises the dead.  This is the basic claim of Jesus.  He called followers telling them that they would be persecuted and they might suffer and die for following Him.  Some of them did.  Stephen and James are killed for following Him.  Now if Jesus is the Son of God as He said He was then that is no problem because in the resurrection Jesus will give them Eternal Life with Him in heaven.  If He was not the Son of God, then he is a liar that cost them their life.  Jesus is not just a good moral teacher if He was not who He claimed to be.  The fact is that we stake our lives on this reality.  The Holy Spirit has the power to raise people from the dead. Matthew 9. 18  While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19  Jesus g...

7.10- God teaches in the Bible that if you are walking with Jesus then you have a right to celebrate and enjoy your life with Him.  When Jesus was here on earth they accused Him of being a glutton and a drunkard.  He was not.  He enjoyed the blessings of life in moderation and drew all kinds of people to himself including tax collectors and prostitutes.  For this He was criticized.  Even the only perfect person to ever walk on earth could not avoid negative comments.  Enjoy your life.  Don't let the nay sayers ruin your joy in life. Matthew 9. 14  Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” 15  Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. 16  “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away...

7.9- God forgives sin.  Jesus presented the good news that nothing is impossible for God including saving the greatest of sinners.  How?  Forgiveness.  It was hard for God to forgive sins because it cost Him the life of His Son.  Jesus could release a paralyzed man from immobility but even harder job could be done by Him, the forgiveness of sins. There are things that are hard for me to forgive.  Things that are against innocent children.  There was a very wise, blameless servant of God named Stephen.  His killer was some people who laid their coats at the feet of Saul of Tarsus.  God forgave him.  He became Paul and He used him as an instrument to save others.  Matthew 9. 9  Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2  Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3  At this, some ...

7.8- Do not judge people especially your wife, kids, in laws and grandkids.   Instead focus on teaching these beloved by example and no words unless asked.   Do not give things to others that they don’t want, like advice. You will probably not be asked between 12 and 50.   Remember that you know you are stubborn and difficult to work with at times.    For example, listen more and speak less. Never give up praying for God’s best for your life. Go where few people go because they see the path as too narrow and long. Be observant of the outcome of people’s lives. Open your heart to God and people. Walk out your view of life a day at a time. Practice yourself what you desire in others. Matthew 7. 7  “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3  “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in y...