Our Teacher

This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:  "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea."  Isaiah 48:17,18

Being a teacher, it helps me to know that God is a teacher, too.  I know how much I want my students to learn, and God wants me to learn even more. The result is peace and righteousness.  I know  that to learn I must be in His Word, not just reading it, but meditating on it throughout the day.  It's not easy, but I want to be not just a student, but a good student.  Good students are not necessarily the smartest, but try hard and want to do well, both to learn and to please their teacher.  May I do that same.

A Mother's Day Prayer

Father, We have always prayed that they would grow up to be strong men of God.  I thank you that they continue to grow in that direction.  I pray today that they will know fully the joy of loving and being loved by you.  I pray they will always look to You for guidance. I thank You that You are the source of all truth.  May they ever seek to know that truth and to live their lives in that truth.  May they feed on your Word to get strength and wisdom for the difficult days that will come in their lives. May they follow the example of Jesus and love those around them, even those who are undeserving and unloving toward them. May they have generous hearts towards the weak and the poor. May they have courage to stand up for what is right. May they find their deepest satisfaction in knowing and loving you.  Thank you for the privilege of being their mother.  In the name of Him who died, rose and now ever lives to intercede for us. Amen

God's children

"From now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view..."  II Corinthians 5:6

I have read this verse many times before, but today its truth really reached my heart.  I have purposed to remind myself of this truth every day, throughout the day.  From now on, I will regard no one from a worldly point of view.  Everyone I meet, everyone I interact with is either a child of God or someone whom God desires to become His child.  I will regard each person from a spiritual, godly point of view, as a person beloved by His Creator.  May it be so.

The Fool

"The fool is the person who has no reverence for God, and when you have no reverence for God, inevitably your life will show it." --R.C. Sproul

His Gifts

"Who...crowneth thy life with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things..." Psalm 103

The Lord has given us so many gifts -- His salvation, His love, His mercy, His kindness, His provision, His joy. Give thanks to Him every day for what He has done and what He is doing.

Taking hold of eternal life

"Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." I Timothy 6:12.

What does it mean to take hold of eternal life? My NIV Study Bible says that Timothy had possessed eternal life since he had first been saved, but that here Paul is urging him to claim its benefits in greater fulness. In verse 19, he says to take hold of the life that is truly life. Surely we all want life that is truly life. We have to examine our lives and ask the Lord to show us the parts that are not truly life. In verse 17 it says that God "provides us with everything for our enjoyment," so true life is a joy-filled life, and the provision for this life is at our disposal. We need to practice taking hold of eternal life, true life, every day, asking God to guide us.

Certa bonum certamen fidei

I think if our family had a banner or crest I would want it to say this. It is from I Timothy 6:12: "Fight the good fight of faith." The Greek word for "fight" gives us our word "agonize." The Christian life is a battle. It is never easy. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, and it is not just against spiritual forces of evil. We have to struggle against our own selfish desires, and perhaps that is the greatest struggle of all. But it is a fight worth fighting, for "godliness with contentment is great gain."

To fight this fight, I have a suggestion. Find a Scripture verse to meditate on and think about it all through the day or even days. This week I have been thinking often about just the first part of I Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." I am trying to let that truth rule every decision.