Every day is a gift!

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

Every day my eyes open, I need to be grateful for the blessing given to me.  It is an opportunity.  An opportunity to shine the Light that lives in me.  An opportunity to study God's Word with someone.  An opportunity to bring them to Christ.  An opportunity to serve Him and help build my husband up.  An opportunity to bring my children up in the admonition of the Lord. 

We aren't promised tomorrow, so you must make the most of TODAY!

• Put God FIRST in all aspects of your life...that is where He wants to be! Spend time with Him through studying the Word and prayer. (Psalm 119:105)
• Trust Him...He knows the perfect plan for you, so why would you even want to be the co-pilot?  Let Him take control. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day brings forth.  Proverbs 27:1

If you can't say anything nice...

DON"T SAY IT AT ALL!

This seems like such a simple concept to live by, but the truth of the matter is that most people fall into this trap everyday. Gossip is all around us...the grocery store lines with the latest Enquirer, television shows that have the ins and outs of people's lives, and especially now that we are heading into the election season. 

The consequence:  IT IS NEVER FRUITFUL!  Only hurt comes of it. 

The guilty:  men and women of all ages!  We want to get the scoop on other people. The desire to know their dark side has a way of keeping us from maybe feeling like we are the "bad" people.  You find that women are targeted several times in God's Word regarding this subject...1 Timothy 3:11, 1 Timothy 5:13, Titus 2:3. Men are too (2 Timothy 3:3).  It is everywhere...and it is up to you to stop it!

If it doesn't build someone up, it probably isn't even worth spending your breath OR your listening ear.

Proverbs 20:19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.



I will PRAISE You!

A co-worker of mine has given us a challenge.  For every school day this year, we are to write something down we want to praise or thank God for in our lives.  We have a notebook that we are each recording these starting with Day 181 and counting down (and yes, I can tell you how many school days until summer vacation :) ).  I am extremely grateful for this exercise because I am sad to say....I realize I haven't always really thought long and hard about this!  I realize how spoiled I am.I realize how monetary I am...and it is something that I need to change.  We have to be different.  It isn't about having an ipad, or the best clothes, or an iphone...It is knowing that I am who I am ONLY because of HIM.  I don't know about you, but He has blessed me beyond measure. 


I am sure you have heard the saying before...."What if you woke up one day and had only the things you thanked Him for yesterday.."  What would that look like in your life?

  This is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.        Psalm 118:24

   Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.-Colossians 3:17

..in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - First Thessalonians 5:18

 

 

A New Year is HERE! (School that is...)

Who are you?

Whether you want it to be or not, the truth of the matter is that school is here for most of you (or quickly approaching). Some of you will be walking new halls for all sorts of reasons (entering high school, changing schools, moved, ect.) and others will be doing the same ol', same ol'.



Here are a few tips to help your year be successful...

1. Let your light shine.....You are an influence. You have no choice here. Someone is ALWAYS watching. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.


2. Surround yourself with those of same moral values...immodest dressing, drinking/partying, inappropriate language, ect. Does a bad apple really spoil the bunch?? It does....and what about evil company corrupts good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33)?? If you surround yourself with sin, you are going to fall....This is a trick I think Satan uses to deceive you...He makes you think that you are strong enough to surround yourself with "friends" who do these types of things...but you aren't. (If you have connections from previous years that you don't think are healthy--get rid of them!!)


3. Keep your priorities in check....Believe me, from personal experience I know how easy it is to allow school activities to interfere with your relationship to God...homework, basketball practice, and choir, as well as others take commitment, but you need to decide right now when you are going to study God's Word and take time for prayer EVERY DAY. On top of that note...don't allow it to take you away from worship either.....

(This is a repost of an entry I wrote back in August of 2010...it still holds true today..even as I reflect on the light I will be for the 5th graders that enter my hall...I still need to let my light shine (for my coworkers and students...display moral values in the books I choose to read or the music I allow them to listen to...and keep my priorities straight.  Sometimes I make myself too "busy" with the school work---yes, teachers do too--and take time away from our personal study and even with our families).

Let no one look down on you because you are young...

For the past couple of weeks, the "young" people have come to our home after the mid-week bible study to enjoy each other's company and spend time with one another.  They sang songs of praise, played games, and filled our house with laughter.  Here are some things I noticed about their interactions with one another.  These are lessons a person of any age can learn from!

• Enthusiasm of being with one another:  The house was LOUD :), but only because they all enjoy spending time with one another. Parents and the kids made sacrifices to allow interaction among fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 
   

He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20 NASB)

• No deceit!  At times we had around 25...and there weren't any "clubs" or "groups" that intentionally left anyone out.  Efforts were made to ensure that everyone found their place in a bigger group.

 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

Proverbs 12:20

• Shut out worldliness.  The activities they participated in while here were carefully chosen and avoided to make sure that the wickedness stayed out!

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who watches his way preserves his ^[i]life.

Proverbs 16:17

I can't help but be reminded of   "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example ^[e]of those who believe.--1 Timothy 4:12"  These kids did just what was said above...To them, thank you. Thank you for providing the daily positive influence on my kids and the many others who will be "in your shoes" before we know it.  Keep your eyes on the prize throughout the rest of your life...