Worship Wednesday - Nothing is too Hard for the Lord!

Life can just be full of stuff, I can get so worked up over things....

I become overwhelmed
I become tired
I become anxious
I become a mess

So thankful the Lord knows my heart and He knows all these things and more about me than I do. So thankful He has delivered me before and HE WILL deliver me again!

 Listen and be reminded what HE has done for you and will do again.....

Love these words......"I spoke to the wind, it hushed and I gave you peace"

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Worship Wednesday - Speak Life

Our Spring Bible Study is 

The book of James is one that I have visited, yet never studied. There is something about going thru a study, pretty much verse by verse. James is a straight-forward character. NO beating around the bush. He says exactly what he means....and means what he says. 

With my children, they tend to nag, pick and put each other down from time to time. I tell them all the time, we need to encourage each other. Not tear one another down. Life & death is in words we speak to one another. With Chapter 3 James makes no bones about it ....our tongue can set a fire! 

True....huh? Harsh words can rip your heart out....or they can make you so angry that you can't see straight. (Well, maybe not you.....but that happens to me sometimes) The verse below is one that I use a lot with my children...but not until I used it on myself. I was convicted of my words over a year ago and I still have to repeat this to myself A LOT!

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23

Well, once again I have been convicted of my words through this study. Below is words from The Message..... as I dug deeper into this passage of scripture the words in the message just penetrated my mind and my heart. 

A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! James 3: 3-10(msg)

Father, please help me to chose my words carefully, and to speak life!

Worship Wednesday: HE IS SOVEREIGN!

Have you ever waited patiently on the Lord?

Has He heard your cry?

Have you ever been in the mud and the mire?

Has He ever set your feet on a rock and gave you a firm place to stand?

Has He put a new song in your mouth?

I can answer yes to all the above.

I can also say that it has happened more than once.

I can say that I am not in a pit right now, but I will be honest and tell you that there are days that feel as if I am slipping.....

BUT NOT TODAY!! These words reminded me of where I have been on several occasions and that GOD never left me in that pit! Even though I am the one that is responsible for getting there in the first place, I PRAISE HIM that He didn't leave me there. When I had nowhere to look but to HIM, HE WAS THERE! And Praise HIM that HE IS CONSTANT!

So, if you are feeling as if you are in a pit, or you are slipping every so slowly, LOOK UP!! HE IS THERE! Be reminded today that HE loves you more that you know! He is CONSTANT! He will not forsake you, not for a moment!

Focus on HIM today instead of your circumstances, worship HIM....HE IS SOVEREIGN!

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 5!

Situations of life can overwhelm me.

God placed a challenge in my life that began two months ago today. I will not lie. It has been HARD. God also placed two other people in this same challenge and if they don't agree with that they would be fibbing a bit. :)

I will also tell you that I have come a long way since I was asked to pray about this challenge. In the beginning, it was supposed to be 30 days. Well, we are now at day 59. Now we are not slow learners. Well, they aren't, but I can be.

With this challenge, came a huge impact in our lives. This challenge affected much more than us three women seeking change in our lives. Keeping each other accountable in our walk, in my case the trip, stumble, fall, get back up and start over times have been HUGE.  Our husbands, our children, our families, our friendships have all been affected by the changes, the good and bad days, and the up and downs of obedience.

In the past two months a lot of scripture, tears, heartaches, and victories have been shared. Our friendships have taken on a new meaning. I know that I can call on them at any moment, and that I can trust them in ways I didn't  know was possible. Some things that God has shown me through His Word and the struggles I have faced are things that I "know", yet my flesh just has a hard time accepting and doing. Yet, this scripture reminds me that I must obey God's word. 

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth 

it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17 

So, I can say, that part of me is doing what I should, but my heart is not always in it. Sometimes my heart is full of attitude, aggravation, and at times angry. And that my friends, is sin too. 

So not only is this my SSMT Verse, but it is my prayer as I continue to allow the Lord to work in my  life, my heart, my spirit, my family and my total dependence on HIM!

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Worship Wednesday

(google image)

 This week has been a struggle, with sickness, doctor's visits, change of routine, to-do list, and the most difficult is the fight against the wiles of the devil! Being physically tired is one thing, but spiritually exhausted from battle is something that can drain in ways that nothing else can.

In past posts I have mentioned that I have to choose to act differently than I feel. And today one of those days. For some reason Wednesdays are harder for me than other days. I have sort of adopted doing Worship Wednesdays on my blog to turn to HIM, to take a moment to focus on the one that loves me with an Everlasting Love, to rest in Him to re-energize the remainder of my week, and to hopefully share some encouragement to my blog friends. 

Today, when I opened this email post from Good Morning Girls (click to read the entire post!) With the struggles and challenges that I have been facing, the portion of the post (below) made me slow down and read again, letting every promise sink in. I was so drawn to it that I asked the author, Whitney if I could share this with you (so sweet, she said YES!!!! Thanks Whitney!) I plan to dig even deeper into each scripture so that I can soak up His promises and the FACT that I am not alone in my battles! 

God, would you remind me that I’m not alone in this battle?
And like a flood, His words of compassion battled their way into the forefront of my mind:

My grace is sufficient… (2 Cor. 12:9)
I am close to the brokenhearted… (Psalm 34:18)
Draw near to me and I will draw near to you… (James 4:8)
I gently lead those that have young… (Isaiah 40:11)
Be strong and courageous, for I am with you… (Joshua 1:9)
I will never leave you nor forsake you… (Hebrews 13:5)
I am mighty to save… (Zephaniah 3:17)
Nothing is too hard for Me… (Jer. 32:17)
I am the One who sustains you… (Psalm 54:4)
The battle is mine… (2 Chronicles 20:15)
Do not fear, for I am with you… (Isaiah 41:10)
My compassions never fail… (Lam 3:22)
You may weep in the night, but joy comes in the morning… (Psalm 30:5)

My daughter, you are not alone in this battle.  What a compassionate, loving Savior!
(from Good Morning Girls ) 

Dear Sister, are you in a battle? Are you struggling? Are you weary? Or do you just need a fresh WORD from the Lord? He is right there with you, even when you feel He is far away!

A comment on the same post led me to this song (perfect for this post!!) 

Won't you worship Him today!! 

Worship Wednesday:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: Proverbs 18:21

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29

Father let my words be pleasing unto you! May what I say and do glorify you!

Worship Wednesday: Resting In Him Today

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 3!!

Wow. February is here already!! I don't know about you, but I am over the cold, then the warm, then the ice, then the rain and even more rain. I have no idea what to wear on any given day. I get up and its 25 degrees, so I put on a sweater or layers with a scarf. And by noon, I am getting a bit toasty. Then by 3pm, it is 72 degrees outside. The next morning, it is 62 degrees so I dress in light layers with no jacket, and by noon its 45 degrees.  I saw this cartoon and its a perfect explanation of our weather. 

No joke.

In seeking out my 3rd SSMT verse, I had a little bit of trouble. For almost a month, I have been deep into God's word on a certain subject, one that I am struggling with on a moment to moment basis. I know without a doubt that HE put this in my path to help me draw closer to Him. It's not easy, but with a couple sisters in Christ praying for me daily, and me focusing on a scripture each day, I have found peace and a joy, that I cannot explain. So I had lots of scripture to choose from. I desire to KNOW His word and I want HIM to show me what HE wants me to learn. This one is a reminder of what I need to wear daily!

I may not know what actual clothing to put on, even after I have checked the weather, but I am glad to know that God's word doesn't change. I haven't mastered this but, I am working on it. I am thankful He isn't done with me yet!

Each day (and each moment) I should clothe myself with

COMPASSION  - a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering

KINDNESS - the state or quality of being of a good or benevolent nature or disposition

HUMILITY - the quality or condition of not being proud or arrogant, meek putting others first

GENTLENESS - peaceful, soothing; tender, lenient, merciful. meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence.  

PATIENCE - uncomplaining, long-suffering, forbearing, resigned, passive, calm 

I don't know about you, but I struggle a lot in each area. I am realizing more and more, that "I" seem to get in the way A LOT!  I have said more than one time, "I wouldn't have problems with any of these, if people (children, husband, co-workers, etc) would act right!" 

Act right being, acting or doing what "I" think they should. 

So, I am working on getting out of the way.... which leads me right back to my One Word for 2013.

God's reminder to me to put Jesus first, then Others, then You (Piper!)

I thank the Lord for His compassion, His kindness, His humility, His gentleness, and His patience with me!!  

Worship Wednesday: Focus On Him

Keep your eyes on the Lord! He will sustain you!

JOY! Thankful Thursday!

I will not lie. This week has not been one of those happy, happy, joy, joy weeks. I know there will be times that what I am seeing, or learning will not feel like "JOY!" But, rest assured, I am praying, watching, and expecting to see God even in weeks such as this.

 

Sunday night, a migraine set in. YUCK!! Sort of like the ccoolldd weather. Brrr. It set in, and finally, it is slowly dissipating. I tend to have what I call a "migraine hangover" for a couple days after. That's still lingering. I do feel much better today! Yayy!! One thing I am when I have a migraine...is QUIET. Yes, those of you that really know me are probably shocked. I am QUIET and I want QUIET!

Monday, I visited a dear shut-in from our church. It was her 80th birthday. Don't think I am all that. Because, I really meant to put a card in the mail last week. I thought, "OK I will call her today". As the morning went on my migraine was relentless, but even more than that, the prodding of the Holy Spirit was so evident, that I needed to go visit her. As bad as I felt? Really? I didn't have it in me to wrestle the prodding. So, I took an hour, just a small tiny moment of my day and guess what? The Lord blessed me so, and also taught me a huge lesson. How many times have I missed an opportunity to bring JOY to someone else and the blessing God would have poured out on me had I listened??!! I have thought about stopping in to see her numerous times, and yet, NEVER made the time. She even called me the next night to thank me for visiting her. Talk about conviction. Whew! Has the Lord laid someone on your heart to call or visit and you keep saying, "I need to do ____."? And you haven't yet?? A HUGE reminder of the "O" in JOY. OTHERS before myself!

Kea battled a stomach bug Monday afternoon and evening. Just lovely. A migraine, and a sick little boy, that just wants Mom! The Lord said, Press on Mom! You got this and I am right here for you!!! The joy in this was he finally went to sleep at 10:15 and slept ALL NIGHT! He was better the next morning! Yay! Thank you Jesus!!

Yesterday, when I got home Bub was in the bed, sick. OH NO! Here we go. I was thinking Round 2! If he is in the bed.... he is really, really sick. He is the one that breezed through getting his wisdom teeth removed and wanted bacon the next day!!  I woke him up to see what was going on, and he has the sinus junk, headache, sore throat. With the flu going around, we headed to Urgent Care. Yay!! Thank you Jesus! ....No flu, just a sinus infection.

I know the title of this post is Thankful Thursday, and I haven't been very thankful through this post.

I am THANKFUL

for the Holy Spirit's leading 

for the Lord's blessings

for the sweet words of an 80 year old prayer warrior

that my baby boy is better

that Bub did not have the flu(or the stomach bug)

for my friends that pray for me and encourage me

for my husband for putting up with me when I have a migraine. (I am not very nice)

that my headache is on its way OUT!!

that I have warm clothes now that winter decided to show up

for the sun this week and for sunglasses on my way to work!

that tomorrow is FRIDAY! 

that God is working JOY into my life

for God's WORD

for HIS discipline

for HIS LOVE, COMPASSION, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, MERCY & GRACE that He has for me. 

Especially when I fail Him. When I fall. When I am disobedient.  

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Worship Wednesday

"And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am:" Exodus 3:14a

 In the midst of your busy week, take a moment to Worship the GREAT I AM!

Worship Wednesday

Just wanting to give the LORD some PRAISE today!

Having a tough week?

Praise the Lord! 

Having a great week?

Praise the Lord!!

Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what you are in need of today! Focus on Him and His love for a couple minutes!

Hang on to His Promises!

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 2!

Whoaaaa! Can you believe it is January 15th??!! Every year I am even more amazed at how quickly time goes by. My grandmother used to say, "Don't wish your life away, because as when you get my age, a year goes by like a day." At the young age of 15, waiting impatiently to turn 16 so I could get my license, I thought she doesn't understand, some days felt like weeks! 

A few years ago, I finally understood. The days go by so quickly, my children are growing up too fast, yesterday they were just toddling around. Time does fly when you are having fun, and even when you aren't, huh??!! 

Sorry.... I am in a rambling way today! I can't believe it is time to sign in with my next scripture. I haven't quite mastered my first one. I know I better get on it or I will have 10 to master! 

2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 2!

 

This verse was one that the Lord put before me as I began searching scriptures to help me encourage others. Instead, I realized that it was for me. Many people make resolutions, I want to make changes that glorify Him. Changes that will benefit my family, my friends, my walk with the Lord and my faith. It is hard to always do what is right. No one else seems to concerned with doing right, why should I? Because, its IN HIS WORD. A command, that He now has placed before me. I am accountable for it. James 4:17 tells me "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Hmmmm, not easy to swallow, but necessary. So, as I continue this road, day by day, I need your prayers so that I will not grow weary, and not give up. Easier said than done, I know!

OH, LET'S GIVE THE LORD SOME PRAISE!!!!!!! Savannah had a PET scan yesterday and THERE IS NO CANCER!! Praise the Lord for His Healing!!! She still has some treatment ahead of her, but THANK YOU LORD for touching Savannah's cancer, her family and our community!! May YOU continue to get the GLORY in this situation!

 

Worship Wednesday: People Get Ready

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him 

while he is near: Isaiah 55:6

Content ~ Fighting the Battle

We are right in the middle of the Bible study - No Other Gods  by Kelly Minter. God is showing me things throughout my day that are little "gods" in my life. One thing that I loved about our discussion on Monday, was battling lies with scripture. The enemy has placed so many lies and untruths in my life and I tend to dwell in the depth of a pit he wants me to wallow in. 

I want truth, don't you? 

And why wouldn't we want truth?

Truth is so much better than the deceitful ways of our enemy. He is at every turn, do not fall for the mess he throws at you. God has warned us in His word that the enemy is seeking to devour us, and our Heavenly Father has given us truth that He will never leave us, we are so much more than satan says we are. In order to battle the enemy we must STAND on HIS WORD and proclaim truth! Put on our whole armor every day, and when we slip out of part of our armor, the enemy will attack when we least expect it. 

On Monday morning, I was reading a devotion, and of course God placed it to confirm our lesson from Sunday School Sunday morning.  A side note read:

"This is war. You are right in the middle of it. And choosing sides is going to be an everyday battle."

Hmm, isn't this the truth??!!

In my yearlong quest to be content. God has shown me so much. There are things that He has shown me, that I seem to know.... yet, I struggle in some of those very areas. Some of them I have seemed to struggle for years in the same place. Other times, I thought I had gotten victory over them, only for them to resurface and then guilt sets in. Another part of being content, is realizing that I must remain prepared for battle. I must make choices based on God's Word. I must live my life as unto the Lord. I cannot fall for the enemy's attempts to choke me. I must be armed with God's Word at every turn. May I use His Word to encourage and help point others to Him. I know that God has more to show me about this Word He has given me for 2012, and as I learn what He wants may I use it for His Glory!!  

In some recent events, I have seen just how evil the enemy is, tearing families apart, filling minds with lies and deceit, corrupting lives at every turn and robbing us of more than we even know. As Christians we must know that we have the power within us to fight! And I know when I can't fight, the LORD will fight for me!!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and 

having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to 

quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18     

Reflecting & Confessing

I haven't had a chance, or better yet I will be honest, I haven't taken the time to post about our Women's Retreat. I do have so much that I want to write down, not for others to read, but just for me to put down into words how God spoke to me so that when I need to be reminded of RESTing in Him.  Not only did He speak to me at the retreat, we started Bible study Monday night......

Whoa! Talk about the perfect Bible study to immediately follow the retreat. I have some things to work on in my life and managing my time is at the TOP of my list. And one thing that I know is that I spend way too much time online. And though, I have found that I like to blog and visit those that I am following, I am aware of how much time I spend doing those things (and don't even get me started on confessing my pinterest addiction!!).  I have a lot more to say, but my time is almost up! 

I am so thankful that the Lord sees me and knows me. And no matter what I am up against in my life, my time, my family, the Mt Everest of laundry piles, the dust bunnies, or the days when the thief is robbing me of my joy, HE IS FOR ME!!

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31" 

Do Not Worry About Tomorrow!!

(Picture found on Pinterest from Etsy)

With all that life brings I tend to worry about a lot of stuff.  My husband's favorite words of (ahem!) comfort to me are, "Oh Ye of little faith!" (I know, sooo very comforting!)  And he says that I even worry about not worrying. Does that make sense to you??? Because it certainly doesn't to me??? :) When things seem to be getting to me, or an overwhelming sense of anxiety grips me, I am learning to go to God's word, more and more. It seems that the Lord keeps putting messages, lessons, devotions, encouragement from others, to remind me that He is with me and to Fear Not! Last night the reminder is that He is with me no matter what and because when Jesus said, "it is finished" the veil was torn and immediately I then had access to the throne of the most HIGH! I can commune with him anytime, anywhere and He is listening. Co-workers may think I have lost what little mind I have left, but that's ok. I am clinging to the promises in His WORD today.

It's Going to Be a Great Day!

Are you a morning person?? If you are? Then good for you!! (and bad for those that have to put up with you in the mornings) Because I am not!! I need some time and space in the mornings. I don't like getting up early....I don't talk... I don't do loud.... I don't make decisions, at least not hard ones.... I am pretty much a grumpy butt in the mornings. I am better left to myself when I get up. There ~ I have admitted my fault for all the world to see!

This week I have tried to have a better attitude when I get up. Sort of, choosing to be nice and not snap anyone's head off. The boys started back to school this week, so I am getting up earlier so that they can have a better breakfast than just poptarts or cereal. No, I don't get up and make a full fledged bacon, eggs, & homemade biscuits. But, I have quick and easy things that I try to do each morning. Oh, do you love Pin*terest like I do?? Well, I have found some great breakfast ideas soooo the first morning of school, I attempted to make Funfetti Cake Pancakes. 

Did you get the "attempted to make"? Let me say this.....I love Pin*terest, but either some of these women are "Suzy Homemakers" or I cannot follow a simple recipe. Some of those recipes, do not turn out at ALL like they look on their blogs! And they aren't very tasty either. The kids said they were ok. But they weren't pretty to look at, and they took longer to get done in the middle....so I burned a couple. I know it probably has something to do with the fact that I am not a morning person! Next time I feel Funfetti Pancakes are in order. I will just put sprinkles in my pancake mix!

 This morning when B woke me, (bless his heart, he has the pleasure of waking me up :[ ). I did not want to get out of bed. I was in a fog thinking, is it Friday?, oh man, its just Thursday! So I pried myself out of the bed and immediately all the things that I needed to get done today started running through my head!! Do you ever think??? I have too much to do and not enough time to do it. How can I possibly get it all done? I was pondering all that and Kea got dressed and came to me and said in his chipper sweet voice,

Kea - "Mom, I think that it's going to be a great day." 
Mom - You do? (thinking thats a pretty profound statement coming from him at 6:15 -he sorta has his mother's disposition about mornings, that is until he has been up for 15-20 minutes and his Dad's happy go lucky morning person's disposition explodes!!)
Kea - Yes, I do. I don't know why but I think its going to be a good one.
Mom - You know that's a great way to start your day, being positive. Knowing that God is taking care of everything.
Kea - Yeah, I know. (and off he goes singing songs from The Lor*x)
Mom - thinking... well that conversation didn't last long.....

Which left me to my own thoughts. Wow, Lord, you left it up to a 7 year old to put me in my place this morning. Instead of worrying over my day, thinking of all the stuff, I should put on my happy face, and start the day with a positive attitude. And with his little thought, which is a really big one... It's going to be a great day!!  In my mind I began singing, this is the day, this is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice, let us rejoice and be glad in it and be glad in it.....

So today I am choosing to think " it's going to be a great day!!"

 Hope you "have a great day!!"

This is for Kea.....

Dear Kea,

As I walked you into school today, I was a little sad that we didn't head down Kinder/1st Grade hall. But, you are so grown up now, that you just turned left, because after all you knew exactly where you were going. You even said to me, "I walked to that same classroom for reading group last year, don't you remember?" You are so funny, you make my heart smile.

Sunday night, when you said you were a little nervous, I was a little worried, but when we got to school, God wiped all that worry away. You didn't seem nervous, you acted as if you hadn' t been away all summer. You are growing up so quickly. We know that you have some fears that you are working at overcoming and you know that we are praying about them for you.

As we talked Sunday night about the scripture that we chose for you this school year, we wanted you to hide God's word in your heart so that when you become fearful, that you can draw strength from this verse.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong - be strong in God's Power!
and of a good courage - be brave (knowing God is right there with you)
fear not, nor be afraid of them - do not be afraid, God says it, so you know He means it
for the Lord thy God  - He is your Heavenly Father
he is that doth go with thee - He is with you every step you take
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee - He will never leave you, He is right there with you always!

We love you and we are so very proud of you. We are praying that you have a great year, that you will be kind to others, and that you will let your light shine for Jesus!! We thank God for you!!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this precious little boy, that is growing up way to fast. Lord, you know his heart and you know his struggles better than we do. Please help him to commit this verse to memory, and help it to be a guide to stay focused on you and not the storms and the weather that the enemy uses against him. Help him with school, friends, and help Him depend on you. Thank you for his sweet and kind heart. May he continue to live for you. In Jesus name,  Amen 

This is for Bub.....

Dear Bub,

WOW! It's unbelievable that you started your second year of high school today! It seems like just last week you were toddling around following Dad everywhere he went. And just yesterday, it seems as if I walked you in on your very first day of Kindergarten. As you drove to the school this morning, I looked over at you and I saw that sweet little boy and in an instant you were 15 and you were driving yourself to school. Then I realized, that today was the last time I would take you to school on your first day. Most likely, anyways, you will be driving next year. Then I saw a confident, young man, with a heart of gold walk up that sidewalk towards the school. I know you don't want to hear this, (but you probably know) that tears started flowing and my heart swelled with pride over the young man you are growing to be. Your faith is strong and you know that God has a plan for you and you stand your ground in what you believe. That to me is amazing. Oh, how I wish I could have been as strong as you when I was your age.

Last night, we gave you this scripture and before I could even write this you already had the same image on your phone. Commit it to memory, and into your heart. We were not kidding when we were talking about his schemes. satan cannot have you, YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, but he will come after you in ways to cause you to stumble.

Put it on every day, because the times you least expect it. He will strike.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

Belt of TRUTH

God: the Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS

The holy and perfect righteousness of Jesus in those who are "born again" and filled with His Spirit

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matt. 5:6) Sandals of PEACE

Inner peace and readiness

"For He Himself is our peace..." (Eph. 2:14-15)
Shield of FAITH

Living by faith

"I am crucified with Christ:...and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God...." (Gal. 2:20) Helmet of SALVATION

Salvation through Christ today and forever"Nor is there salvation in any other..."(Acts 4:12) 

The victorious Sword of the spirit: GOD'S WORD

God's Word countering spiritual deception and accusations"...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory...." (John 1:14)  

As we have told you before we are very proud of you. Work hard, do the right thing,and remember that God is with you everywhere you go. No matter where you step, He steps with you. Stand for right in all you do. And may every thing you do, do for the Glory of God!

We love you!!!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your precious gift to us. Lord, as he begins another year of school, we want to pray that he will put on your armor each and every day. That with the armor, and you before him, that he can face whatever the enemy puts in his way. Lord, please protect him from this world. Do not allow satan to rob him of his joy, his witness or his love for you. Please put those that love you in his path, may he be a light in a dark place. We thank you Lord for loving him. Please lead guide and direct his path. 

In Jesus, precious name. Amen