Fight the good fight

  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  ~Ephesians 6:10-13

I was reminded today that I have an assignment.  One that the enemy does not want me to complete.  My health has been under attack for three weeks now.  I cannot get a clear diagnosis.  I am meeting obstacles, but God.  

I have to remember that my battle is not with flesh and blood, but against rulers and authorities of this dark world.  But I serve a greater authority.  I serve the Lord Jesus Christ and I will not give in.  I will not back down.  I will stand my ground for His grace is sufficient for me.  

I know that I do not fight alone.  I have a whole slew of prayer warriors who are lifting me up before God.  The enemies plans will not prosper.  I will be healed.  I will complete my assignments. I will spread the good news of Jesus Christ.  I will be a light for my students and my family.  I will continue to share His word.

I know I have been writing about my struggles for the last few weeks, but God is using my struggle to give someone else hope.  To have them fight on, whatever their battle may be. We have the victory in Christ Jesus.

Lord, I cling to you.  I trust in You.  I put on Your armor and stand firm in Your power.  I declare that the enemy is defeated.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Woke up this morning feeling pretty good.  Thank you Jesus.

Fuel for faith

 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  ~Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

I woke up this morning happy and in expectation. The pain is my leg has not stopped, it’s been weeks now, but the rash is slowly moving away.  My circumstances have not changed, but my faith is renewed.  

I have Jesus.  He gives me hope and energy to “run on and see what the end may be”.  He is my sustainer and hope for tomorrow.  He is my joy for today. 

I don’t know what He is going to do, but I know it will be for my good.  I will not be weary as I breathe in His breath.  I will not faint.  I will hold onto my faith.  Healing is on the way. 

Lord, thank You for being my strength.  Thank You for the renewed energy.  Thank You for hope.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Trust when it’s hard

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.~Job 13:15

So I know we are not to cherry pick scripture, but the key part of the verse I would like to focus on is trusting in God regardless of the circumstances.  I don’t consider myself to be a Job, but I do my best to keep my heart postured towards God.  

For the past week I have been dealing with pain in my left leg.  It really hurts and now my toes are starting to blister and I do not know why.  No major trauma has occurred, but I’m in pain.  I have lost my appetite ( which might be a good thing).  

I say all this to say that no matter what I am going to praise God and trust in Him.  He knows the outcome and He is my healer.  He has blessed me with the ability to see a doctor.  It’s a blessing to be alive.  It’s a blessing that I can still walk.  I don’t know why this is happening, but I take the good with the bad.

Prayers appreciated.

Lord, I love you and declare that You are sovereign.  I know you to be a healer.  You are my redeemer.  I will trust in You.  In Jesus name. Amen

Plea of the Heart

 Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. ~Hosea 6:3

I love the Lord.  He is the source of my strength.  He is my provider, my healer, my all and all.  He is everything, but I want more.  I want more of Him.  I want to press, to move, closer to Him each day.  I want to know Him intimately.  Not just because He is the source of my life, but because He is God and He is Lord.

I just don't want to pray and rattle off all of my needs.  I want to hear from God.  I want to understand His word.  I want to live out His word daily.  I want to take up my cross and follow Him.  I want intimacy with my Savior.

I imagine being one of the women who traveled with Jesus, hearing his voice.  Seeing and feeling His love for His people and mankind. Experiencing the wonder of God. I must decrease so that He may increase (john 3:30). 

I want to stay in His presence and have holy communion with the Father, and the Son, and the Spirit.  I must stay humble and positioned with a heart that seeks Him. I have to cast off the cares of this world and draw near to Him.  

Lord, You know my heart.  You know my flaws and my intent.  You see me and i am grateful, but help me to see You better Lord.  Help me to know You better Lord.  Increase my faith.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Finding Joy in the Journey

 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them? ~Ecclesiastes 3:22

One of our core values at my school is Joy in the Journey.  As we push and strive to see student achievement grow we want to do so with joy.  As I reflect on this core value, I realize that I see each day as a personal battle to overcome.  I'm straight on "Every Minute Matters" and "Scholars Above Self", but I need work on having joy.  

I realize that my joy is not going to come from my job itself, but from knowing that I am doing a work unto the Lord. My joy comes from obedience and heeding the voice of the Spirit as He directs my moves throughout the day.  My joy comes from seeing the joy in students and my colleagues. Joy comes from being a servant, loving those who might not love you back.

I am studying the book of Ecclesiastes in the First5 App and today we focused the work we have to do for God.  Doing His work.  Loving our neighbors, standing up for the oppressed and overlooked and seeking justice is His work.    Micah 6:8 says "Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God."

As I think about this I realize that I want to do more than just gain victory over the day.  I want to gain victory for my neighbors.  I want to find joy in the journey of working with youth as I have been for 31 years now.  I want to stand up for them. I want to make a difference for Christ. I want to enjoy my lot and trust God with rest.

Lord thank You for giving me an assignment.  Restore to me my joy.   The joy of You is my strength.  Blessed the oppressed and may your people be a voice for justice and righteousness.  In Jesus name,  Amen

Don't Bow

  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” ~Daniel 3:16-18

I go to church expecting to hear something that will feed my soul and embolden me to continue this journey with the Lord.  Last Sunday, I heard these words."  If you don't bow, you won't burn' Praise God!  The minister was referencing Daniel 3, the familiar story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Nebuchadnezzar had set up a golden image and he decreed that when the the horns, flutes and lyres sounded that people were to bow down and worship the golden image (Daniel 3:10)  But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused.  If with the threat of their life they would not bow down.

Later in Daniel 3, we find that these three Hebrews were thrown into the furnace, but Nebuchadnezzar saw four.  They were walking around.  Daniel 3:25 records.. He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Daniel 3 inspires me and has my spirit leap for joy.  When we do not bow down to worship anything other than God.  He will deliver us.  Yes, they went through the fire, but they were not burned because God was with them.  Jesus always stands ready to defend.

So now I'm asking what things do I need to not bow down to.  I will not bow down to sin, gossip, self-righteousness, oppression, fear, or anything that sets itself up against God.  I will not conform to this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2)  I will be resolute.

I may have to go through the fire, but I know I will not be alone.  I know that when I am called out I will be in a better position than I was before because God will use it for His glory. ( Daniel 3:28-30) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's faith showed the king just who God was(is) and that there is no God like him.  We can show the world that too.  God has been connecting the dots for me and I praise Him for it.  Hallelujah!

In three days many will not receive from the government the provisions they need for food security, Many are missing paychecks.  Scary times, but we can stand up for the vulnerable.  We can trust in God who is our provider to show up in mighty ways for people.  We can donate, work as a community, as the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  We can decree that God will show up for them as we face the fire.

Lord, there is nothing impossible for You.  I pray that as we stand for justice and righteousness that Your power will be manifested.  The enemy wants confusion and fear.  He wants us to bow down and worship the material and the temporal, but I decree that we will stand up and call on the name of the Lord.  Do what only You can do.  Move as only You can move.  Be our fourth in the fire.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Attitude adjustments

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:23-24

I have found myself hitting the snooze button in the morning as of late.  I do not want to be disturbed from my slumber.  I am not yet ready to face the day.  If I am transparent, my days of work and toil are becoming burdensome. Yet I remember, as I asked the Spirit to convict me, to speak life.  To think on things that are good, so I switch my thinking around.

I do not have to go to work, I get to go to work.  I get to provide for myself and my family ( I keep Amazon happy.)  I do not  have to go to work, So many right now are not receiving pay or are struggling to find work that is steady. I get  a chance at work to speak into someone's life, to say good morning to a student.  I get to serve.

I don't have to wake up, I get to wake up.  I am blessed to have breath in my body and the use of of my limbs.  I may be slower than my youth, but I am still blessed to be above ground than beneath.  I do not have to get out of bed, I get to get out of bed and experience the world.  I could have been bed ridden.

I am not consumed.  My anxiety and struggles with depression have not conquered me because of the Lord's great mercy.  I experience His favor every day and I am grateful. Grateful to serve a faithful God.  A loving Father, who knows I need an attitude adjustment in the morning, a word from Him ( y daily bread).  So rather than a frown, I have a smile.  That's all God.

Thank You Lord for being great.  Thank You for being good.  Thank You for your compassion.  Thank You for Your love.  Bless your people during this shutdown.  In Jesus name, Amen