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