His Word Sunday

I want to ask you a quick question this morning...

How do you respond to God when He says, "Yes" - to your prayers?

I think far too often we pray and we pray and when He finally says "Yes" we run with it to the next thing.  Do we really give God the credit and the invested time that He so very much deserves?

Take a look at this awesome prayer that Daniel prayed after God said "Yes" to one of his prayers.  I often wonder how much my life might be enriched if I prayed like this!

Daniel 2:20-23 (ESV)

Daniel answered and said: 

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, 

to whom belong wisdom and might.  

He changes the times and seasons; 

He removes kings and sets up kings; 

He gives wisdom to the wise and 

knowledge to those who have understanding; 

He reveals deep and hidden things; 

He knows what is in the darkness, 

and the light dwells with Him.

To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, 

for You have given me wisdom and might, 

and have now made known to me what we asked of You, 

for You have made known to us the king's matter."

Unstained

I love short weeks!  While I wish our school was out all week - I am thankful that we only have to be there today & tomorrow.  We've even got a fun 2-day project planned that will be acceptable for everyone - teachers & students!

Therefore, I only have to plan for 2 professional outfits for this week!  Yay!

You know the downside to clothes?  You have to wash them - regularly!  I am more than thankful that my Mom washes all of our clothes.  She does a FABULOUS job keeping us all in clean clothes.


Don't you just hate it when you've spent all day doing laundry - only to find that some of the clothes came out -  not cleaner than they went in - but stained from some strange source inside the washer?!

Recently we discovered that some of the clothes were coming out of the wash with cute little lined up in a nice row - black dots!  Oh no!  Where was this coming from?!

Stained.  Not a good word.  We had to do two things.  Try to get the stain out - but more importantly establish the source of these little black dots.

I recently read a verse about stains in James.  A kind of spiritual "little black dots."

James 1:26-27 (ESV)

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not 

bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, 

this person's religion is worthless.  

Religion that is pure and 

undefiled before God, the Father, is this:  

to visit orphans and widows, 

and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

"Unstained from the world" - how in the world do we do this?!

I feel like each morning I have a wonderful prayer time, and then I step outside my house and am immediately faced with the source of little black dots!  How do I avoid getting stained?!

I'm bombarded with many who do not have positive attitudes, who do not share a love for Christ like me, and I'm tempted to engage in their way of thinking, acting, and living.  I want my faith, my "religion" to get me much farther down the road than just my own house.

This is going to sound strange - but I want my prayer time to stick!  I want it to last throughout the day!  I want to remain unstained from all that comes my way in the washer of my life.

The first part of this verse gives us a hint as to how we can avoid the little black dots - or stains...
1.  watch what I say
2.  do not deceive my heart, and
3.  look after those that may need my help

It begins with my tongue & heart, and ends with my actions!

We found that the little black dots was probably coming from grease leaking out of those little holes in the washer.  It was important that we find the source so we could do more than just get the stains out - we wanted to completely avoid the stains in the future.

Today, I want to remain unstained from the world.  I've learned here that the source of stains can come from my speech and my heart not being set on the things above.  I will have a closer watch on those today.  As a result, I hope to have a cleaner - more pure - example of my relationship with the Lord!  A religion that is not worthless - but one that is pure and undefiled - unstained.

Will you join me in keeping the stains away?

His Word Sunday

One of my favorite verses talks about how the "Lord is for me."  I think the Lord knows that in general, no matter who we are, we all experience times of insecurity - for there are constant reminders throughout scripture that the Lord not only loves us - but that He's with us!

This morning I totally enjoyed reading this passage.  It reminded me of elementary PE days and how we would have to stand there and wait to be picked.  We would wait anxiously for someone to say, "be on my side!"

In this passage the Lord says that very thing!  I hope you'll be just as encouraged as I was and feel ready for whatever the day may bring knowing He's on your side!

Psalm 118:5-9, 13-18 (ESV)

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; 

the Lord answered me and set me free.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

What can man do to me?

The Lord is on my side as my helper; 

I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord 

than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord 

than to trust in princes.

I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, 

but the Lord helped me.

The Lord is my strength and my song; 

He has become my salvation.

Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous; 

"The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, 

the right hand of the Lord exalts, 

the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!"

I shall not die, but I shall live, 

and recount the deeds of the Lord.

The Lord has disciplined me severely, 

but He has not given me over to death.

Let His valiant hand guide you today!

Every time I breathe

This morning I'm thanking God that I've had a really good week.  It's been super full with very busy schedules.  I think we had something going every night!  But in spite of the crazy schedule, I had many smiles!!

So... today I wanted to do a happy song!

I read a verse on Tuesday that is still with me today... I think about it every time I walk into my classroom.

Hebrews 12:14-15 (ESV)

Strive for peace with everyone, 

and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; 

that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble.

Wow!  This whole passage is wonderful - but the part about seeing that "no one fails to obtain the grace of God" has stuck with me.

Every time I open my mouth, or look someone in the eye - I want them to experience God's grace and not my drama.  I directly come in contact with 70 students and about 25 teachers every day!

100.  I have 100 opportunities every day to show God's grace!  What a thought!

That's why I love this song for today!  Enjoy!

Work Over Time

My students are taking a test tomorrow.  We're now in the Physics part of IPC and while I like physics - chemistry remains the stronger of the two for me.  Therefore I must study extra hard to teach this part of the class.

Last week I wrote a vocabulary work on the board, (as I often do), but the more I wrote it - class after class - I knew the Lord was trying to teach me something that had nothing to do with Physics.

The word is POWER.  The scientific definition of power is the rate at which work is done.  The formula for calculating power is:

Power  =  Work / Time

Most students would read this formula as "work over time".

It's not unusual for me to think of the Lord when I see the word POWER... mainly because I need His power to just get up every day and do life... but as I wrote "work over time" class after class it got me to thinking.

I know I typically only share one verse - but bear with me today - I have a formula, or a calculation of a spiritual kind and it involves a few elements.

Someone asked me recently how I find the strength or the motivation to get up early every day and have my prayer time.  My answer was simple....  I am desperate for the work of the Lord to be in my life.  I am desperate for His hand of favor and I don't want to miss even one small little word of encouragement that He may have for me.

So the first part of this spiritual formula is this - to allow God to work in your life.

Philippians 2:13 (ESV)

For it is God who works in you, 

both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

I must be willing to let God work His good pleasure (not always mine) in my life... and I must allow this not just one time, or when I feel like it - but OVER much TIME.

Here lately the Lord has been teaching me a more in-depth understanding of the word "steadfast."

Steadfast means firmly fixed, unwavering, or constant.

Today I read the final part of my spiritual formula.

James 1:2-3 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, 

when you meet trials of various kinds, 

for you know that the testing of your faith 

produces steadfastness.  

And let steadfastness have its full effect, 

that you may be perfect and complete, 

lacking in nothing.

I want God's POWER in my life.  And in order to have His POWER - I must allow Him to WORK over TIME to bring about His perfect and complete purpose.

His Word Sunday

Greater Wealth

In my One Year Bible this past week, the Lord has really been teaching me some serious heart lessons from the book of Hebrews.  This morning was no different.  In fact, it's this verse that I will probably be chewing on for a while.

That is to say, I'm not sure I'm 100% there yet and need to sit and work on this one for a while.  It's really the last verse (verse 26) that I want to focus on - but I'm going to give you the two verses before so you'll know and understand the context.

Hebrews 11:24-26 (ESV)

By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, 

refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 

choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God 

than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

He considered the reproach of Christ 

greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, 

for he was looking to the reward.

Wow!  The reproach of Christ - or critique or correction from Christ - is considered "greater wealth" than anything this world has to offer.

Can I say that I truly feel this way?  If I did, then think about how much more joy would be in my life.  Each time a trial came my way (which feels like every single day of my life!) then I would realize that my bank is filling up - not that God is out to get me!

His corrections are far better than the pleasures of this world.  Like I said, I'm going to have to chew on this one for a while.  Guess this is what sanctification is all about.

The end of the verse, I think, gives the fuel that makes this kind of thinking possible.  "He was looking to the reward." If we think more about the end goal of the Lord - instead of what we want in the moment - we could possibly see Christ's working in our lives as far greater treasures than anything else!!

What do you think about this verse?

Where I Belong

Happy Veteran's Day!  Before I left school yesterday I cleaned off my white board and prepared for today. I wrote the date: 11-11-11 - how cool!  Then I remembered what this day is for - honoring our Veterans!

So thanks Dad, Paw Paw, Papa Joe, Uncle Sammy, Uncle Gordon, Caleb - and all the many other family & friends who have or are still serving this wonderful nation!!!

As I think about my own life this morning - I wonder how these men felt as they traveled to new & different nations.  I'm sure there was an appreciation for the USA - and probably a little bit of "this is not my home.  I'll serve my time here - and then return to where I belong."

I've often wondered that about my own life.  Where exactly do I belong?  I'm learning a little more every day what God wants me to see & do in this new life.  But the one thing that keeps coming to the surface is - I'm supposed to serve here.  Complete my assignment here - but this too is not my home!

I must say - Heaven is so much sweeter now and I can't wait to go home!  Just give me Jesus!

I heard this song by Building 429 this week and totally fell in love with it!  I hope you enjoy it!

Soul-Delivering Assignment

I give assignments almost every day to my students.  Some are pretty simple - fill in the blanks or do a simple physics calculation with the calculator.  Others require more time, like a lab assignment or a research project.

If you've been around me much, or visited this blog - you've probably heard me talk about the "assignment" God has given me.  I'm still trying to figure out all the parts and pieces and what exactly is required of me.  I sure wish God had sent a syllabus to me so I could see all the details of this new project and how it will be graded.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has gotten discouraged with the assignment God has assigned.  I'm certain that we all get dismayed at some point in time or another with our responsibilities.

I've been asking God lately some very personal questions.  Thankfully, He faithfully answers them... I just haven't been too fond of the answers.

Today I read about something the Lord told Ezekiel and through these passages God showed me something that will give me energy to continue on in my own assignment.

God has told Ezekiel that he is to present a warning to the children of Israel - both to the wicked and the righteous.  Check this out...

Ezekiel 7:19 & 21 (ESV)

But if you warn the wicked, 

and he does not turn from his wickedness, 

or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, 

but you will have delivered your soul.

But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, 

and he does not sin, he shall surely live, 

because he took your warning, 

and you will have delivered your soul.

Wow!  This is often how I feel day after day - like I deliver my very soul.  I often wonder will I ever see any results?  Will I ever see how people live after I "deliver my soul"?

I kind of had a little pity party with the Lord when I read this passage.  Telling Him how exhausting it is day after day "delivering my soul" and watching the behaviors, the attitudes and the lack of enthusiasm or effort by my students.

I poured out my heart to the Lord in my journal.  But something interesting happened as I was writing... the Holy Spirit spoke to me and revealed to me that this is EXACTLY what He did as He delivered His very Son.  He delivered His soul - rather His Son - for everyone, and still - daily watches bad behaviors and lack of enthusiasm for the incredible gift He's given us all.

I literally stopped writing when heard this from the Lord.  There's no comparison of eternal life or a daily walk with God Almighty with anything I can do.  Therefore, I can do this assignment He's given me.

But then... I also know I'm not God.  So, even with my little task I know I'm going to need some help.  God quickly led me to this next verse...

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

Let us then with confidence 

draw near to the throne of grace, 

that we may receive mercy and 

find grace to help in time of need.

Mercy & grace... in time of need.  Perfect!

So with the knowledge that God gets how I feel when I've "delivered my very soul" and I can approach Him boldly for His mercy & grace - I'm much better equipped to continue on in my assignment and hopefully on my way to a "Well Done" grade.

His Word Sunday

God's Awesome Forever-ness!

Don't you just love the "forever-ness" of God?! I was reading in Hebrews this morning about the difference between regular priests and Jesus (as our priest).

I came across a passage that really blessed me & brought comfort regarding His permanence.

Hebrews 7:23-25 (ESV)

The former priests were many in number, 

because they were prevented by death 

from continuing in office, 

but He hold his priesthood permanently, 

because He continues forever.

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost 

those who draw near to God through Him, 

since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Just a brief Penny rephrase:  He saves completely or at all times - those who draw near to Him through Jesus - because Jesus is always living to make intercession for us!

Beautiful words - uttermost and always!  He has completely saved me and continues always to make intercession for me.

I wrote in my journal that I'm sure that Jesus knows when He needs to make intercession for me even before I ask.

Can't you just hear it?  Jesus saying to God, "Hey Dad, I know Penny is going to struggle here - let's send her some of our strength today.  She doesn't even yet know she's going to need, but we do."

I took just a moment to thank Him for "always living to make intercession" for me.  I'm certain I've taken it for granted far too often and this morning I wanted to recognize His awesome "forever-ness" and how it even includes taking care of me.

Hungry for Him

Here we are.... Finally Friday!

I sure have missed coming to my blog this week!  I've started a new morning routine - that involves working out!  Writing here is one of my greatest passions - so I'll work it back in, I promise!  I even wrote a blog, but signing permission slips and reviewing spelling words - cut my time short.

Here's a sneak preview of what God's doing in my life...

He's been showing me just how much He emptied Himself for me - and how I must do so too -  for others.  I've gotten to the end of the day feeling so "poured out" and empty.  As I've cried to the Lord about this - He's reminded me that 1) He did this for me, and 2) It is this hungry and empty feeling that keeps me close to Him!

This song reminds me that I truly am desperately hungry for the Lord.  I will walk any road as long as He walks it with me!  And as we walk together - He heals my broken spirit.