Able

Able 

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

God is able and God is faithful.  I recently listened to a song by Jonathan McReynolds entitled "Abel". ( I have inserted it above)  The first lyric says that God is able.  That there is nothing to hard for a strong and might God.  My spirit leaps when I hears those words because I know them to be true. 

The God I serve, my Father is a good God.  He takes care of every concern and need.  He moves mountains.  He calms the raging seas of anxiety. He ushers in peace.  He creates an atmosphere where students can learn and respond.  He keeps my family.  He answers every plea and prayer.  There is nothing He can't do and wont do because He is a faithful God.

On this Friday, I just want to encourage anyone who may be facing a difficult circumstance to stand firm in the Lord knowing that His banner over you is love.  Knowing that He is able to resolve your situation.  He is bigger than any problem and circumstance.  He is God.  He is good! He cares for you.

Lord, we thank You for being and able and faithful God.  We thank You for Your Spirit and power.  We thank You for You and stand on your promises Lord.  We know that You are Jehovah Jireh, You will provide.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Accepting Others

 

Romans 15:7 NIV

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Sometimes I think that everybody thinks like me.  Believes like me.  Lives like me.  Acts like me.  This is faulty thinking.  God made us all uniquely different. We all have a role to play and a job to do.  Our personalities are different.  We see the world in different ways.  I see it in my family, in my classroom, and the world itself.   

Transparently somethings I can not accept because they are contrary to the word of God, yet I must be careful to ward off self -righteousness and meet people where they are.  Just like I want someone to meet me where am I am because God is not finish with me yet.  He is still carving and shaping me into His image.  We are all God's children so I must accept others.  I must love and forgive. I must let go of things that are not in my control, but are in God's capable hands.  I must bring God praise. God wants His people united.  He died on the cross so that we could be. 

I must humble myself and not think to highly.  I must see others they way God sees them.  I must look through the lenses of love and embrace my brothers and sisters, even when circumstances tend to make it difficult.  I can do this through Christ.  I can honor Him in this way.

Lord, forgive me for those time when I get my butt on my shoulders and become haughty, thinking I am better than someone else. Keep me humble and bowed before You.  Help me to love and accept my fellow man.  Thank You for accepting me.  In Jesus name. Amen 

Encourage Yourself

 

Psalms 18:32 NIV

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

I focus a lot on God's strength and protection because transparently I need every bit I can get from Him.  I am totally dependent upon God to get me through each day.  I go to bed tired and I wake up tired.  I wake up having to press my way through, so I go to the source for the energy I need to do just that. I go to the source of my encouragement.

The Lord is my strength.  He gives me His word to meditate on a repeat.  Such as Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  He reminds me that He angels dispatched on my behalf.  Psalm 91:11-12, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."  

He reminds me of His love and in His great mercy He reveals Himself to me.  He reminds me of my purpose, like when I get to help a student understand their work or see the effects of prayer when my child speaks positively over himself.  My heart leaps for joy and I immediately energized.  I am full of hope.  His breath takes over and I am grateful.  

And when I reach the end of my day their is no secret to what God can do and has done for me.  He brings me victory as my heart trust in Him to provide. I lean into an on Him and He props me up every time.  Thank You Jesus. 

Thank You Jesus for being me strength.  Thank You for being my encourager.  Help me to get weary in well doing, knowing that I will reap a harvest if I endure.  I can do it through You Lord, so I thank You and bless Your Holy Name.  In Jesus name I do pray. Amen

He Watches Over Me

 

Psalms 121:7-8 NIV

The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

There is an old hymn called Blessed Assurance and the first line says "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine".  When I reflect on what the  Lord does for me I realize that I blessed assurance.  I have the knowledge and confidence to know that Jesus is watching out for me.  He is keeping me from all harm.  Not some, but all.  

 This means He is watching over me as I drive to and from work. He is protecting me on the highways.  He is protecting me when I come into contact with a server who presents themselves with an attitude.  His Spirit tells me to stay calm and to remember whom I am representing.  He is watching over my reputation.

He watches over me in my classroom, protecting me and my students from negativity.  He is watching over my children and my husband as they go about their day.  He watches over me everyday, all day.  Who wouldn't serve a God like that.  

And its all because I have Jesus.  God gave me His precious Son who died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day winning the victory over death.  As a result I can experience peace.  I do not have to worry about what's coming because God has me completely covered now and forevermore.

The Lord Is My Strength

 

Psalms 28:7 NIV

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

There are times when I feel like I am at the end of myself.  I am mentally drained and it becomes hard to focus.  I just want to go home and crawl under my covers.  I cry out to God for help and He heeds my call.  

It is when I am at my end that He begins and feel me the dunamis power.  I get supernatural strength to endure and go on.  He shields me from anxious thoughts as I trust in Him. My heart turns to Him.  I put my trust in Him and He helps me.  God never lets me down. He is a faithful God who lavishes me with His love.

Thinking on the Lord and all He has done for me.  Thinking on all that He is  and who He is causes my heart to respond.  It's like He breathes in me and I am revived.  I get my second wind.  I can face the next thing.  I am confidant because God is on my side.  He is my shield.

 There is now a song in my heart.  A song of praise for His goodness.  Praise for His mercy. Praise for His provision. God is beyond good and deserves a hallelujah praise.

Lord thank You for being my strength.  Thank You for the breath of life. Thank You for being me shield.  Thank you for focusing me and causing me to triumph where I would fail on my own.  Thank You for pouring into me.  Thank You for being my rest.  In Jesus name.  Amen