Question 1

Why do I need refreshment?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 23:12“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives our ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed.”1 Samuel 14:24, 28The men of Israel were pressed to exhaustion that day, because Saul had placed them under an oath, saying, “Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening—before I have full revenge on my enemies.” So no one ate anything all day, . . . But one of the men saw him and said, “Your father made the army take a strict oath that anyone who eats food today will be cursed. That is why everyone is weary and faint.”Ezra 9:9“We were slaves, but in his unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery. Instead, he caused the kings of Persia to treat us favorably. He revived us so we could rebuild the Temple of our God and repair its ruins. He has given us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem.”Psalm 73:26My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.Isaiah 40:30Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.Romans 8:6-8So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.2 Corinthians 5:2We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.Galatians 6:9So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.2 Thessalonians 3:13As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.Hebrews 12:12-13So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.Life can take a toll on us in many ways. Whether it be from physical, emotional, or spiritual exhaustion, we need refreshment to renew our bodies, minds, and souls so we can continue to live strong and productive lives for God.

Question 2

How can my soul be refreshed?

Accepted Answer

2 Corinthians 4:16-17That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!Our souls can be refreshed by maintaining an eternal perspective, seeing life from God’s point of view, keeping eternity in view.Psalm 42:2I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?Psalm 63:1O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.Psalm 90:14Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.Jeremiah 31:25“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”Our souls can be refreshed by relying on God and enjoying his faithful, loving presence.Matthew 11:28Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”Our souls can be refreshed by keeping our relationship with Jesus strong.Psalm 19:7The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.Psalm 119:25I lie in the dust; revive me by your word.Psalm 119:50Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.Our souls can be refreshed by reading, studying, meditating on, and applying Scripture.Mark 1:35Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.Mark 6:46After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.Our souls can be refreshed by spending time alone with God in prayer.Isaiah 28:12God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen.Ezekiel 18:31Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel?Our souls can be refreshed by obeying what God tells us to do.Psalm 51:2, 10, 12Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. . . . Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.Isaiah 57:15The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.”Acts 3:19-20Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.Our souls can be refreshed by confessing and repenting of our sins.Hebrews 12:11-12No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.Our souls can be refreshed by accepting God’s discipline, which will bring the joy of a restored relationship with him.Proverbs 11:25The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.Our souls can be refreshed by giving to and serving others.Psalm 133:1-3How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! . . . Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.Our souls can be refreshed through harmonious relationships.

Question 3

How can my mind be refreshed?

Accepted Answer

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.Our minds can be refreshed by submitting to God’s transforming power.Psalm 94:19When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.Our minds can be refreshed by God’s comfort. Doubts can clutter the mind. God’s comfort sweeps the clutter away, allowing for more clarity of mind.2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.2 Peter 3:1-2This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.Our minds can be refreshed by reading, studying, meditating on, and applying God’s Word.Colossians 3:10Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.Hebrews 12:2-4We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.Our minds ca be refreshed by learning about Jesus and focusing on him.Romans 8:5Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.Ephesians 4:22-24Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.Philippians 4:8-9Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.Our minds can be refreshed by thinking on things that are pleasing to the Holy Spirit. A mind in harmony with the Holy Spirit will be refreshed.

Question 4

How can my body be refreshed?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 92:10You have made me as strong as a wild ox. You have anointed me with the finest oil.Isaiah 40:29, 31He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. . . . But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.Our bodies can be refreshed by trusting in God and relying on his power working through us.2 Samuel 16:2“What are these for?” the king asked Ziba. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s people to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”2 Samuel 17:27-29When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash, who came from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and by Makir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogelim. They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep, goats, and cheese for David and those who were with him. For they said, “You must all be very hungry and tired and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.”1 Kings 19:3-9Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.Psalm 145:16When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.Our bodies can be refreshed by eating the food and drink that God provides.Exodus 23:12“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed.”Our bodies can be refreshed by rest and sleep.Exodus 17:12Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.Our bodies can be refreshed by physical assistance from others.Proverbs 3:7-8Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.Our bodies can be refreshed by living God’s way.Proverbs 14:30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.Our bodies can be refreshed by having godly, positive attitudes toward others and life in general.

Question 5

How can I refresh others?

Accepted Answer

2 Corinthians 7:6God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.We can refresh others with our presence, spending quantity and quality time with them.Acts 27:3The next day when we docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul and let him go ashore to visit with friends so they could provide for his needs.2 Corinthians 7:13We have been greatly encouraged by this. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease.2 Timothy 1:16May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains.Philemon 1:7Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.We can refresh others by being kind to them, providing for their emotional and physical needs.Job 29:19-23“‘For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’ Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.”Proverbs 13:14The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.Proverbs 16:15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.Proverbs 18:4Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.Proverbs 18:20Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.Proverbs 25:25Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.Isaiah 50:4The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.We can refresh others with positive, encouraging, and wise words.

Refreshment