Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Happy Thanksgiving (a few days late). This is the time of year we give thanks. Let us always give glory to the One who blesses us. Psalm 75:1 We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. The most wondrous gift of all for which we should be thankful is our salvation through Christ. 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. As we step into the Christmas season, and celebrate the birth of Christ, I need to show my thankfulness by my actions, living my life for God out of thankfulness for the redemption of Christ. My focus should be on giving and showing my children through my example. When I keep this in the forefront of my mind and heart, the holiday season isn’t daunting at all.

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Many times I wake up in the early hours of the morning long before my alarm is supposed to beep. I can lay there for hours without being able to fall back to sleep because of my racing mind, thinking, and worrying. Sometimes it’s nervousness, doing something exciting, or a cold that wakes me and keeps me awake. I’ve realized that if I stop thinking about all that’s going through my mind and life and just pray, then I fall asleep quite easily. I pray for each family member, immediate and beyond. I pray for my church families. I pray for those with whom I work, adults and children. I pray for specific church ministries local, national, and abroad. I also pray for missionaries, naming each I know or have heard about through my church and Christian publications. And before I know it, I’ve fallen into a peaceful sleep.

Proverbs 14:7

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. Proverbs 14:7

Walk away. It’s what we were always told to do. It’s what I’ve told my own children…..sometimes.

It takes self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control ) to walk away instead of saying something you’d regret. However, it’s also important to know when to walk away and when to stay and defend what you believe (1 Peter 3:15 and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you). I also remind my kids that if it is an adult, they have to be respectful and listen, honoring those in authority over them, whether they think they are right or not (Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you).

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Happy Reformation Day.

I'm very thankful to God for those in the 16th century who risked their lives so that I can now freely read and study the Word of God today almost five hundred years later. May I never take for granted the privilege it is to have, read, and study the Bible (even on my iPhone!). The verse above is one of the passages that convinced Martin Luther that we are saved by faith in Christ, and not by our works. On October 31, 1517, he nailed the ninety-five thesis to the church door in Germany, which ultimately began the Protestant Reformation.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

This passage is such a comfort in all walks of life: for college age kids who are struggling with making decisions regarding their degrees and coursework, as well as those who are just finishing their schooling and stepping out into working full time. This verse can also be a blessing to young mothers who go through each daily task wondering if there is anything beyond wiping noses, washing laundry, and doing dishes. Although we may not know what lies ahead, God knows. He has our life plans mapped out already. Such a weight goes from my shoulders when I really let that sink in.

Acts 20:35

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Last spring, when I was given my new assignment for this school year, I was quite upset and worried. Mostly because of my lack of knowledge in the medical field regarding the needs of the student I would be working with this fall. I have definitely been challenged while caring for this five year old who is in a wheel chair, visually impaired, cannot speak, and has a feeding tube. However, after four weeks of working with her, Acts 20:35 has taken on a whole new meaning to me. She is a doll and such a joy to work with each day. By her giggles, smiles, and the patting of my arm for reassurance of my presence, I am so blessed.

Ecclesiastes 7:10

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. Ecclesiastes 7:10

We often hear older people wishing for the days gone by. But over the weekend, I found myself sort of doing the same thing. I was perusing some of my favorite blogs and was reminded of our home schooling years. Reflecting back, I remembered how good we had it, with quality simple family time during the day before spending the evenings running around to all of the kids’ activities. But things changed, the kids are older and loving where they are regarding their schooling. I now need to ponder this passage in Ecclesiastes. If I were to ask the question, “Why were the former days better than these?” then I’d really be struggling with discontentment of the present time, and really, that’s not the case at all. Looking back can be done with fondness, without yearning, but my focus should be on the blessings I have right now and enjoy them.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6

School has started, so I’m back to pushing my four children to strive to do well on their homework assignments and tests. Nagging them all evening and weekends makes for an unhealthy relationship with my kids. I’ve memorized this verse, saying it to myself each morning to keep it engraved on my heart so that my words to them may be with grace, encouraging them in love.
During the day, I work in an elementary school building with over five hundred K, 1st, and 2nd graders. On a regular basis, I am encouraging students to make better choices regarding their behavior. I have a lot of opportunity to practice this verse! I pray that my admonishments are always with grace.
However, this verse doesn’t just mean the words from my lips. It also applies to what comes from my fingertips. Oh, how easy it is to quickly type out an email and send it, only to regret seconds later what I said. I’ve slowly been training myself to read and reread emails that I’ve written before hitting the send button.

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Today is the first day of school for my kids and also for me. I read these verses to them last night before bed, and encouraged them to do what is right, and not "do what everyone else is doing." Any bad influence of their peers can be strong, but they need to stand firm in their faith and not be tempted to do what is wrong, even if the majority is doing it.
Later, as I thought more about that passage, I realized how easy it is for me to do what everyone else is doing. Yelling at the ref. for making a bad call & complaining about the weather are two perfect examples. The list could go on and on.
I need to heed these words of Paul just as much as my children, to be a godly example to them as well as to others who are watching.

1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

From the time my children could talk, my husband taught them to say, “I love you Mommy” explaining to them that they will get out of a lot of trouble with those four simple words. He was right. My oldest is fifteen years old. It still works. My heart melts, my shoulders relax, and I let out a sigh. I immediately respond with, “I love you, too.” Not to say that the kids go without discipline. What usually follows is that my anger quickly dissipates and we’re able to deal with the issue at hand in a much more loving way.