This is the day-rejoice

 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24

The Lord has gifted me another day and I have a choice.  A choice to rejoice and be glad in it.  This day was not promise it is a divine gift and I should show, will show, my gratitude by being thankful.  I will choose to see the good in all things, even the hard things.  Even in senseless shootings and hate I choose to see that God is good and cherish the days He gives me. I will worship the Lord for His faithfulness, grace, and mercy. 

 God is a very good God.  The only wise God and I choose to not let stress master me because He tells me that I can cast my cares upon Him ( 1 Peter 5:7).  I choose to seek God first knowing that He will provide for all that I need. ( Mathew 6:25-34).  

I surrender my day to Him and because of that I'm going to have a good day.  A good day because I'm trusting the One who created it.  I'm trusting the One who has ordered my steps.  I am walking by faith and not by sight. ( 2 Corinthians 5:7)  As a song writers sings, God is for me (Romans 8:31).  That along makes me rejoice.  So I will take minute by minute and moment by moment looking for the beauty of God in my day.  In the midst of all my to do list, I will praise, rejoice, and be glad for He made this day.  I get to see it and I get to see Him work.

Lord, I thank You for another day.  I thank You for all the ways that You teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom(Psalm 90:12).  You are beautiful and this day is beautiful because of You. Lord bless the families  and all who have experienced hard days, let us remember that You are good even when its hard. Keep my mind stayed on thee and forgive for the times when I have taken Your gift for granted.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Body Image

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

I have body image issues.  Medications and poor choices in what I eat have led to me gaining a lot of weight.  The weight impacts my other health conditions.  I try to monitor what I eat and how much I eat, but nothing changes.  In a world that places so much stock on image it can cause one to get down and depressed.  But, I have to look beyond my outer self and remember the real goal, to look more like Christ everyday.

God knows me intimately.  He knows my thoughts and my heart.  He chose to create me and He chose me to be His child.  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12  I should be concerned that people are seeing compassion. That they are seeing a woman who cares about the concerns and sufferings of others with an aim to help.  They should see a woman who is kind and humble, not thinking herself above anyone else.  The should gentleness and patience in my interactions, extending grace as I have received grace.  

I have to remind myself that I am loved and was created with love and tender care.  I am a work of art created by God, one of a kind, and He loves me.  He does not make mistakes.  The body I am in now is just an outer shell its not the new creation that His shed blood on calvary has caused me to be.  My dress size, although in full transparency I wish I could bring down, is not the goal.  It is my goal to be an ambassador for Christ. 

 I asked God to let me live a life where others would know that I have been with Him.  He answered that prayer this week when a student asked me if I was a Christian because He heard me say Jesus.  He shared that He was getting baptized this Sunday.  He is excited and I am excited for Him.  That student didn't see my plus sized body, He saw Jesus.  The enemy would have me disheartened over my body, but I will not let him have the last word.  Jesus has the only words I need.

Lord,  You know my struggles with body image and the concerns that come with it, but help me to remember who You say that I am.  Help me to focus on the things that matter and love myself because You love me.  I pray for any woman who may be experiencing similar emotions.  Let us stand on Your word.  In Jesus name. Amen

God is good

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

God is good.  He is loving and kind.  He is steadfast.  He looks beyond our faults and sees our needs.  He infuses us with strength to carry out the day( Isaiah 41:10).  He transforms us into His image, to look and act more and more like His Son Jesus everyday ( 2 Corinthians 3:18).  He is a great, great God.

Circumstances may arise that are difficult, but is especially during these times that we must remind ourselves of just who God is.  He is a big God, the God of gods(Psalms 136:2), Lord of lords(Psalm 136:3), and King of kings. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end(Revelations 22:13) There is nothing beyond His reach or control. He can and will turn it around.  He is working it all out for the good (Romans 8:28). 

He loves us.  Remember He sent His Son to die on a cross for us so that we could be reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 5:18).  He wants relationship.  He wants to be and is our loving Father.  He is deserving of our praise.  Let us give thanks.

Transparency,  today I woke up a little tired and stiff.  My bones ache.  I asked God for energy and He supplied it.  I have asked God to help me mediate on His word and truth.  The Lord has blessed me abundantly.  He allowed me to see Him at work.  He showed me restoration and peace.  He showed me the fruits of my labor with my students.  Its just week one! Oh the expectation of what He is going to do this year.  God is a good God.  My God.  Faithful and true.  He gives me just what I need to press on. Thank you Jesus.

Father, I thank You for being such a loving Father.  Your love endures forever and that gives me hope.  You are constant and sure.  Thank You Jesus.  I give you praise.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Do it for Jesus

 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.~ Proverbs 16:3

This verse above is my seed for this school-year and life in general.  Instead of fretting and worrying about things that are outside of my control, I am giving it all to the Lord.  I am making a vow to do what I do for Him and unto Him.  Knowing that when I do this the rest will follow.  He will make  my path straight and sure.

 So when I am teaching students or collaborating with colleagues I am do it for His glory.  When I am grocery shopping or doing laundry I am doing it for His glory.  When I am listening to a friend or welcoming a stranger I am doing it for His glory.

I am taking each day that He gifts me and dedicating it back to Him.  This focus keeps me focused on the main thing, walking humbly with Jesus.  I will not let the enemy steal my peace or joy.  I will be resolute and I will call upon the name of the Lord when I am weak.  I will praise Him and have the mindset that honors Him.

This determination to commit whatever I do unto the Lord has allowed me to stay stable and self-correct when sandpaper circumstances arise.  Sandpaper smooths the rough edges and allows the shine to come through. It allows the light of Jesus to shine though and I want to be a beacon for the Lord.

Lord, I am yours and I want to do what honors You and brings You glory.  Help me to commit whatever I do to You trusting that You will have it flourish into what You have designed for my life.  I commit this school -year to You.  Bless the children that walk through my door and school.  Bless my family and bless my fellow servants.  In Jesus name. Amen