The race is not finished

 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.~Acts 20:24

I have two more work days of school left and then it’s officially my summer break.  Here’s the question though…Am I done?  No, because the ministry work that I do for Christ is ongoing.  I have to finish the race. Even in the summer there are opportunities to pour into others.  Whether it be our interactions with people in the grocery store, fellowshipping with family or worshipping in church we can make a difference for Christ.  We can share the good news about His love, mercy and grace.

This summer will be somewhat active for me.  I usually like to just chill, but God has other plans and it is for my good.  It is so that I do not get stagnant and develop stamina for the race He has set before me.  We all have a race to run and good news to share.  I pray that His word falls on good soil.

Lord, thank You for saving me and entrusting me with the good news.  May I run the race well and tell of Your marvelous deeds.  May someone know You better through the use of me.  In Jesus name.  Amen

The privilege of being a light

 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.~Matthew 5:16

We are living in a dark time, but I heard a minister say that we were appointed for this time.  It shifted my thinking.  I am living in a time with a purpose to be a light that shines bright on Jesus.  I get the opportunity to share with someone in a dark place the reality that Jesus is real. 

I get to be a beacon of love to others who may not otherwise see it.  I have had an entire year to impact the lives of my students and colleagues for the better, to imprint Jesus in their thoughts so that God can take control of their hearts.

I am not the light, just a reflection of Him.  He trust me and you with this mission as His children.  Anything that I do good is because of Him and through Him and it shines a light on Him in a dark place that is illuminated by the stars of His grace.

So yes, there are shadows and evil may look like it’s winning, but it’s not because God sits on the throne and His light illuminates everything.  He is the way. And when join together in unity think about bright of a beacon that is all over the world.

Lord, I thank You for the privilege and opportunity to be a light to others who might be walking in the shadows.  Thank You for works that You do through me and others.  Thank You for Your Son.  In Jesus name.  Amen

His loving eye is on us

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.~Psalm 32:8

Yesterday, I came upon this post by Tamara Mowry  sharing the scripture above.  She broke it down in such a way that stood out to me and I want to share it with others. 

 Psalm 32:8 emphasizes God’s loving relationship with us.  First He tells us that He will instruct us.  He is giving us the directions for how to live.  He shares with us the boundaries that will keep us safe and warns us off the consequences of not aligning to His will.  But He doesn’t stop there because He says teaches us.

This hit home for me because as a teacher I show my students the way.  I scaffold lessons to help them learn and meet the mark and that what God does.  He doesn’t leave us alone to figure it out.  He teaches us the way to go.  As Tamara said, “He shows us”. 

In addition to showing us, He comes beside us and counsels us with His loving eye.  I think of the Spirit, the Helper, that is available to all believers.  The indwelling of the Spirit that leads us on the path.  God talking and walking with us.  He is intentional.

What a precious gift we have in Jesus.  What a loving Father.  We are not alone.  We are loved and precious in His sight.

Father, I thank You for having Your Word go forth.  Thank You for the seeds you plant in our hearts and the growth that comes.  Thank You for teaching us and counseling us.  Thank you for showing us the way.  Forgive us when we falter.  Help us to get back up and keep moving on.  In Jesus  name.  Amen

Worship Him

 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.~Romans 12:1

Today is a gift.  Another opportunity to praise and worship God.  Because of His great mercy and faithfulness we should make the most of each day by praising and worshipping God through our thoughts and actions.

Each of has a purpose and when we seek to fulfill that purpose we are worshipping the Lord.  Using the gifts that God has granted each of us to up build His z kingdom is worship.  Aligning ourselves to His will and choosing His way is worship.

Yesterday, I was prompted to choose my attitude and approach for the day.  It was a play on the word Tuesday, but every day we are given a choice to position ourselves for victory as we worship the Lord.  Even on the the rough days we can still choose to trust Him.  Choose to praise, honor, and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. ( Colossians 3:23-24).  Whether that be teaching, singing, working in an office, serving as a greeter, being a caregiver or a mom. Walk humbly with God and worship Him. Let your light shine so that others may see God.  

Lord,  today is a gift; an opportunity to worship You.  I do not have to wait until Sunday.  I can praise You right now through my actions and deeds.  I thank You for this opportunity and join with fellow brothers and sisters by lifting your name on High.  Forgive us when we fall short and help us to continue to put You first. Hides us behind You Jesus.  We will give You all the glory, honor, and praise.  In Jesus name. Amen

Steady

 Jesus Will

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. ~ Psalm 1:3

The word steady was used by a friend to describe me.  I immediately thought of this word.  It's not me that is steady, but Christ in me the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).  The hardship of battling with depression and anxiety is present, but my God is greater and because I tap into Him I can still yield fruit.

I am abiding in the Vine.  He is doing the work.  I am just yielding and letting Him have His way.  I am trusting that God is taking my good and my bad and working it for my good.(Romans 8:28)  Its shaping me and making me into the woman of God that He desires me to be.

So as my friend spoke life into me, I speak life into others.  You may feel fragile.  Like fine glass that might shatter, but remember Who is holding you.  Remember who holds your hands.  He will keep you steady.  You will bloom where you are planted.  The hardships will not overtake you because God has given you the way of escape-"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

For those who might be thinking my blogs are sounding familiar that is because battling with anxiety and depression is an ongoing battle.  But God delivers me from the oppression of the enemy by allowing me to share the truth of a mighty deliverer whose mercies are brand new everyday and every minute.  The battle comes, but He gives me the victory.  I just have to stay in position and disposition to receive it.

Lord, I thank You for another day.  I thank You for light in the shadows.  I thank You for victory.  I thank You for the steadiness of You.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

I'm a Witness

 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. ~ Psalm 136:1

Lord, You are mighty and You are great.  There are not enough words to express the wonders of You.  You continue to bring me out of the traps that enemy tries to ensnare me with.  Every time depression would dare lift its' head, You put Your foot on its neck.  You save me.  You spare me.  You remind me that You deliver me from my afflictions( Psalm 34:19) You see me and You hold me.  You wipe every tear.  You comfort me as only You can.  Thank You for having your hands on me.

Lord. It is You who calms the storms that arise in my life.  You give me a spirit of joy.  Hallelujah!  You give me peace because of Your grace.  It is You who allows me to overcome.  You are a blessed Father and I blessed because of You.  Thank You.  Thank You.  Thank You.

I know that I am not the only one who deals with hard days and battle depression and I know that I am one of of many witnesses of how God is a deliverer.  I am a witness of enduring love.  If you are in a dark tunnel or dealing with a some form of hardship, hold on.  Know and trust that the Lord is their.  Even if it is a sliver of light, head towards it.  He is Your hope and He wont let you down.  He loves you just as much if not more than He loves me.

Jesus, I thank You.  Father, I love You.  Holy Spirit, I continually need You.  Bless Your people Lord and thank You for love.  You are great and mercy goes deep.  Thank You for the opportunity to praise You.  Forgive me and cleanse me of any and all sin.  Cover me with Your blood.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen 

By His Spirit

  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ~John 20:21-22

The Lord is gracious to us.  He promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.(Hebrews 13:5.  Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, but God the Father and Jesus gave us access to the triune God by giving us the Holy Spirit.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—John 14:6.  

We who believe and receive have the person of the Holy Spirit living in us and on us.  This week has been a battle.  I have had to tell myself the truth over and over again.  The truth is that that Spirit guides us, comforts us, and protects us.   

I have been walking through shadows, but as God promised He is the good Shepherd and His Spirit has protected me.  His Spirit has comforted me and shown me the way.  His Spirit has protected me and made a way.  The  things that I could not do on my own God did through His Spirit.

We all have a purpose and mission from the Lord and we can rest assured that the Lord does not send us to do it alone or in our power, but rather His.  Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.(Zechariah 4:6)  I am absolutely humbled by God.  The devil was working overtime to steal my joy, but God restored me.  He would not let Him have me.  Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit.  Thank You Father.

Father, You are a mighty God that has infinite wisdom.  Thank You for seeing to needs of Your people.  Thank You for breathing on me.  Thank You for your comfort, peace, guidance, and protection.  Thank You for Your Spirit.  In Jesus name.  Amen