End of the Year Reflection

 

Matthew 25:23

 

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

It's the last day of school for me and I feel a sense of accomplishment.  I know that I could not have reached this day without the Lord by my side strengthening me, guiding me, and directing me steps.  I had new responsibilities this year and the Lord helped me meet them.

As I think about this verse and reflect on the year I wonder if the Lord is pleased because we "work as unto the Lord" _Colossians 3:23-24.  I wonder if I touched any lives?  Did I make a difference? Was I the hands and feet of the Lord as I went about my daily task of instructing our youth?  Did I make a difference to co-workers?

On the final day of my life, I want to hear the Lord say " well done thy good and faithful servant."  I want Him to be pleased.  

Lord, thank You for seeing me through. Thank You for allowing me to enter into rest.  Thank You for all my fellow teachers and laborers in the field.  Thank You for You.  May my work speak for itself.  In Jesus name. Amen

He is a provider

 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

As I think of all the needs I have had just in this one week, I am reminded of how God has met each and every one. He is a provider  of physical, mental, and spiritual needs.  He meets us right where we are.  As I think of this, I am also reminded that I have done nothing to earn this gracious provision, but I am His child and He loves me.  What great love does God lavish on us day in and day out. What magnificent grace.

He not only meet my needs, but He meets the needs of my family and love one.  God's love is so deep and wide.  Its hard to fathom sometimes.  I could never repay God for all He has done for me.  He met my first need of salvation by allowing His Son Jesus to die on the cross for me.  He meets my need of peace by reminding me that He is always with me.  He removes obstacles and clears a path for me.  God is good and His mercy fails not( Lamentations 3:22).

This is a true statement.  What He has done for me, He can and will do for You.  Just keep trusting and believing in God.  Hold on to His hand and promises.  He loves You and He cares.

Jesus, thank You.  Thank You for your mercies and thank Your grace.   I am humbled by care for me.   In Jesus name.  Amen

Doing Good For Others

 

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. ~Hebrews 13:16

I have a lot of pressure on me at work and home.  Its a busy time of year.  Grades are due, federal documentation to be finalized, and  my youngest is graduating from High School.  Meeting "here" and events "there" in addition to the needs of my students.  There's just a lot to do and life can get overwhelming, but what I have found is that God disrupts all of that when we submit to His will allow our plans to be interrupted by His.

I noticed that when I take time from doing what I think is urgent to instead urgently help someone else I find joy.  I no longer experience panic because I have a deadline approaching, but instead I experience peace.  I trust that God will provide me with what I need as I meet a need of another.  God is amazing.  He always fills my cup.  He fills my cup and it spills over so that I can bless others.  So that I can see Him in the midst of the to-do list.  

God tells us to not forget to do good and share with others.  This might be time or resources, but we know with such sacrifices God is pleased ( Hebrews 13:16).  Pleasing God, pleases me and brings me the gift of joy.   It makes the work less looming and the unknown less fearful.  I am thankful for a gracious God.

Lord, I thank You for all the opportunities in my day that You give me to serve someone else because when I am doing that I am pleasing and serving You.  Thank You for a joyful heart and the blessing of You. Thank You calming my anxieties and meeting me in my need.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Secure

 

Psalms 139:5 New International Version (NIV)

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

Praise be to God, i am a kept woman.  I am kept by God.  There is peace in knowing that He surrounds me.  His hand is upon me.  He is directing my steps and keeping my way secure as I trust  and obey.

When I think about being hemmed in, I picture being tucked in bed like a burrito all snug and secure.  God makes me feels this way as I know that He goes before me, showing me the way.  He is behind me protecting my blind side.  He is beside me, walking with me so that I am never alone.  

The scripture also says that He lays His hand upon me.  I think of a loving parent  placing their hand on my should giving me assurance that everything is going to be okay.  So i know that when trials and test come I will make it to the other side because His favor is upon me,.  What a blessed assurance.  God is good like that.  He is absolutely amazing!

Lord, thank You for keeping me and my family.  Thank You for surrounding me with your love.  Thank You for allowing your favor to rest upon me,  I thank You for your touch. You are a good God, the only One and I praise You. In Jesus name. Amen

He is.......

Psalms 100:5 NIV

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.  

I want to take a moment to thank a praise a faithful and loving God.  When my future is unknown, I know a certain God and He comes through every time.  The last few weeks have been moving at a grueling pace and I have been running on fumes.  I have been over the place, But GOD! He made sure I landed at just the right place at  just the right time.

EVERYTIME, I go to Him He shows up.  He is faithful and He gives me just what I need.  My mind goes to the manna that God provided for the Hebrew people in the desert (Exodus 16:4-5).  They did nothing to earn it, but God provided nourishment for them.  It likes when I am on E, He fills my  tank with the energy and stamina needed to carry on.

He gives me His word.  Like reminding me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13).  He gives me  wisdom, like guarding my tongue and redirecting my thoughts to those that honor and praise Him.  He gives me love, when I am feeling down and fills my heart with gratitude.

He watches over my family and shows me how we He will work all things  for my good(Romans8:28) out as I surrender control to Him.

God is amazing! He is splendid.  Awesome in power! Loving, faithful and true.  Transparently, I knew I had a challenging week ahead of me.  I went to God and asked Him to see me through.  And what did He do?  That's right, He gave me more than I could ever ask for.  He is God like that.  Try Him out!  He will not fail you.

Lord, I thank You for You.  Thank You for your Son, the reason I have a new life,  I thank You for not changing on me, but being a consistent and constant God.  A safe place, a refuge, the Source of life and joy.  Thank You God for being all that we could ever need.  Forgive us , when we lose sight of the truth and guide us back to You. In Jesus name. Amen