Refresher Training

Are you or were you in one of those professions that offered or required continuing education?

You get away for a week and learn new techniques and brush up on established skills. That’s where my heart took my mind this morning as I was reading some of my oldest, favorite passages of Scriptures.

The re-reading and meditating on familiar verses will refresh us.

“ If you have ears, pay attention!” Matthew 11:15 CEV

When Jesus said this, He was speaking to a group of people who had seen Him do miracles and had been listening to His teachings, but they were criticizing His association with “sinful” people. Then He prayed this prayer.

“My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too. ²⁸  If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, ‘come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:27-28 CEV

It’s important that we realize the words we read from the Bible each day are the words of God for our lives. They are not to be taken for granted or brushed over with a “that was nice”. They are the words of life.

I’ve been asked how can you be so confident. It’s because I know that God’s word is true – it’s true because He says it is. So, if you have ears to hear – pay attention as I share some “refresher course” verses.

“¹³ Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. ¹⁴ When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. ¹⁵ Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food. ¹⁶ By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live.

¹⁷ Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, ¹⁸ and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere. ¹⁹ You satisfy the desires of all your worshipers, and you come to save them when they ask for help. ²⁰ You take care of everyone who loves you, but you destroy the wicked.” Psalm 145:10-20 CEV

And now for the next one…

“ I kneel in prayer to the Father. ¹⁵ All beings in heaven and on earth receive their life from him. ¹⁶ God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers ¹⁷ and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. ¹⁸  I pray that you and all God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. ¹⁹ I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.

^20-21 I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21 CEV

For over 40 years I have been reading these sections of Scripture nearly every day. I’m still learning to live totally in the goodness of God and the full expression of His love for me.

I pray these verses are a refresher course for you as well. Read them, again and again. Let them sink deep into your heart, become deeply rooted in God’s love for you.

“If you have ears to hear – pay attention”!