Jesus

 

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

It all comes back to Jesus.  The life we have.  The freedoms we enjoy.  The blessings that overflow are all because of Jesus.

We can never forget His sacrifice.  He died on the Cross for our sins that we might be redeemed.  He was innocent, but He took our sin upon Him so that we could receive a verdict of not guilty.  His love covered our sin and His grace ushers in salvation for our souls.

God did not want us to perish so He provided a way of escape through Jesus.  And now for those of us who believe we can live eternally with Him.  Sometimes, living in this world, I can lose sight of the fact that this is not my home.  This is a temporary station for me and for all my brothers and sisters.  Heaven is my home because of Jesus. Jesus must be at the center of our hearts.  We can't forget the foundation for everything else.  The Rock on which we stand.  

Lord, I thank You for Your Son Jesus.  I thank You for His shed blood that covers me.  I thank You for the freedom from sin that His sacrifice grants me.  I thank You for love and for eternal life.  Let me never lose sight of the fact that it all comes back to the gift of Your Son Jesus.  In Jesus name I do pray. Amen

He causes me to smile

 

James 1:17 NIV

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

God causes me to smile.  When I think of His goodness and the myriad of ways that He shows up joy abounds.  God is good and every blessing is perfect and perfect in its timing.  I serve a God who is stable.  He does not change.  He is steadfast and His love is good.  I am secure in Him.  He does not move the goal post, but rather keeps me centered in Him.  He provides and meets all of my needs; spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

I love all the ways that He shows up and reminds me of His presence.  He comforts me when I am distressed.  He strengthens me when I am weak.  He fuels me when I lack energy.  He is my all and all. He is God! He is the light of my life and the joy of my salvation.  He is all that I need.  His gifts are good and I say thank You.

Lord, You know just what I need and when I need it.  Every good thing is from You and it is perfect.  Thank You for being my Rock.  Thank You for not shifting like the shadows.  Thank You for being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank You for being God.  I bless Your Holy name.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

He strengthens me

 

Philippians 4:13 NIV

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The alarm clock is about to sound and the day to come lies ahead.  Without opening my eyes I speak the truth and promise of God's word over my life.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)  I ask God for help for He is the source of my strength.  God is my hope and my courage to face the day.  The fact that I have another day is a blessing all on its own and I have to choose to rejoice in the day He has given me.

Being transparent, the work week exhaust me, but God sees me through each day.  He allows me to see glimpses of Him and feel His presence.  He gives me my daily bread so that I can have fortitude and endurance.  He provides.  He is Jehovah Jireh.

Because of Christ I can extend grace to others as well as myself.  Because of Christ, I can press on knowing that my reward is in heaven.  Because of Christ I can do things I thought I couldn't do.  I can do it because of the sacrifice He made on the Cross for me.  I can do it because of the power He exuded to rise again.  I have Christ in my life.  I have Him as my Lord and Savior.  I have been redeemed so I can face anything because I don't do it alone.  He is with me always.  He is my breath of fresh air, my second wind.  He gives me the strength so I stand on His Word.

Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your promises.  Thank You for giving me the strength to live out my days and accomplish the tasks that are before me.  Thank You for mercy and grace.  Thank You for your love.  Thank You for You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Make the choice

 

Psalm 118:24 ESV

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Some days are harder than others, but we have to make the choice to rejoice.  We have to make the choice to realize that it is another day that the Lord has gifted to us.  Another chance to get it right. We have to make the choice to celebrate God and rejoice.

A friend of mine passed away a week ago today.  Every morning I wake up the with realization that he is no longer with us.  The same way that others who have gone to soon are now with us.  So to be alive and breathing is a gift.  It's not something promised, but granted through the graciousness of God.  So for that I choose to say thank You.  I choose to smile when I would rather frown.  I choose patience over irritability.  I choose God.

I choose to think about His goodness and faithfulness.  I choose to think about all the many ways He blesses me.  The ways that He shows me that He is near and I rejoice.  I am glad to be in this day under His will and again I say thank You.

Lord, thank You for granting me another day.  Another day to choose gratitude, to choose You.  I thank You for all the ways that You bless me and my fellow brothers and sisters in this day.  I rejoice and sing praises unto Your name.  Forgive me for those times when I take my days for granted  and nurse my pride instead.  Thank You for Your grace and thank You for Your mercy.  In Jesus name.  Amen

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