Are you homeschooling on empty? Do you wake up feeling tired? Or do you run out of steam half way through the day?
God desires for us to minister to our family out of the increase, from the overflow of what He has poured into us. The Lord so longs to pour into you, to feed you from the Bread of Life so that you may be full. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
More important than choosing the right curriculum, keeping to your schedule, more important than doing, doing, doing is being – being in His presence and filling up on Him.
Set an hour aside each day for Him. Tell the children to read and be silent during that hour (explain how you need to get with God so you can be a better mommy).
Close yourself in your room, or in a closet – wherever you can get away. Then focus your heart on Him, let Him fill you.
If you are out of the habit of having time alone with God or are not sure how to really receive from Him. Below is how I would encourage you to begin this journey anew:
Bring your prayer journal, your Bible and maybe some worship songs – I occasionally will begin with worship music, sometimes I just sing my own worship songs. As you begin to spend time with God, if your to-do list pops into your mind, quickly jot down those things and set them aside to keep them from distracting you. If anything else comes to mind that you need to deal with, just write it down and set it aside. Don’t let anything hang around in the corners of your mind to keep you from fully focusing on the Lord.
Begin by praising God and worshiping Him. Do this even if you don’t feel like it - remember, we are to be led by our spirit, not by our “feelings.” So, don’t wait until you feel like spending time with God – let your spirit rule, not your flesh.
Sing or tell God of His greatness. Confess any sin that comes to your mind and thank God that you are forgiven. Don’t dwell on it, thus allowing the enemy to keep you distracted with condemnation and defeat. Know He forgives and set your mind on Him and His Word, His Truth. Ask the Lord for total protection from the enemy during your time with Him.
Then, begin to pray. I write all my prayers in my prayer journal. Writing my prayers keeps me from getting distracted while I pray. Also, because it takes me longer to write out my prayers than to actually pray them, it allows me time to focus and sense God’s leading or answer. Instead of yammering away with ceaseless chatter to God, I can slow down by writing my prayers and hear Him more clearly.
Then, I read the Word, asking the Lord to speak to me in His Word; the Word of God is living and active because His Holy Spirit can give us hope and instruction and special truth just for us while we read. Ask the Lord to guide you, to make His Word come alive to you and to speak to you while you read. If a particular Scripture jumps off the page into your heart, that’s the Holy Spirit. Write it down and meditate on it throughout the day.
Spend the rest of your day in constant praise and thanksgiving to Him. If you mess up, confess and remember that you are human (just like Peter who messed up a lot, but became the pillar of the church). Don’t get down on yourself and let yourself feel defeated – simply begin to praise Him again.
If, at some point, you need another hour in the closet, do it. It’s more important than anything. Remember, God wants to fill you with Him so that you can shine His light in your home, in your community and everywhere you go. If you are full of the Lord, you will have the peace and joy you need to get through the homeschool day...the homeschooling months and years.
If you feel like the homeschool journey is too hard - let me assure you that EVERYTHING is too hard without a close walk with God. He earnestly desires to fill you up with His presence, purpose, forgiveness, freedom and joy. He wants to take you, just as you are, and make you whole. He wants to take your burden and exchange it with His strength to complete every task He has given to you.
He doesn't want you to homeschool alone - yet, like the Israelites who were given manna every day, you have to go out and gather it up. Every day, we need fresh bread, fresh manna from God. Even if you have to stop school in the middle of the afternoon to get refilled. Do it. It's more important than anything that needs to get done.
Certainly Martha needed to get the dinner ready – all those guests really did have to eat. But Jesus didn’t think it was more important than spending time absorbing from Him. So, maybe dinner would have to wait, maybe dinner would not be perfect, maybe the guests would not have everything just right. For us, maybe math won’t get done, we may be late for an event and the kids will have to get their own breakfast, lunch or snack, but if we are choosing the spend time with Jesus - we have chosen the better part.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The Promises of God
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
God's desire is to shower us with His promises, to say, "Yes" to us concerning all that He promised in His Word.
When I first read this verse I wondered to myself, "What does that mean? What did God promise?" I quickly relegated all of God's promises into a box: a Savior, Salvation, Heaven. My God-in-a-box was limited.
As I learned more about God's Word, I discovered that there is a whole world of promises to us from God. Most are found in the Old Testament (these are the specific promises to which Paul was referring since they didn't have a New Testament when he wrote this to the Christians of the day - but all the promises in the New Testament are also "Yes"!)
When I first read of these promises and discovered them in the Bible, I have to admit, I really didn't think they applied to me or my life. I mean, I really didn't believe that God really and truly meant them for me. I mean, really. Who am I?
For example: When God said in Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." That sounded so beautiful, so comforting. But didn't God mean that just for his people in the Old Testament? That deflating thought kept me from allowing that promise to enter my heart.
As the years progressed, God began to show me that His Word is forever. The promises He gave to His people did not pass away and die; they are not obsolete for those of us who are now His people. They come into all fullness for us. They are especially for us, those who were far away but came to Him through faith in His precious Son, those of us who miraculously (through His sovereign impartation of faith) believe in the atoning blood of His Son; the beloved Son who took upon Himself all of our nasty sin. Indeed, the promises culminate in a resounding "Yes" for us! For, blessed are we who have not seen, but believe and receive His cleansing.
Even more amazing is that all the promises to God's children, all the promises to the righteous are for us because of that blood. Jesus made an unfair trade: He took off our unrighteousness and put it on himself; then He put His righteousness upon us. When God gazes upon us, His children through faith in Christ, He sees us as righteous. He separates us from our sin (sin is on the left, and we are the right). He sees us on the right, without the sin, RIGHTEOUS!
Yes, yes, I know...we have issues we are all walking out, working out and fleshing out. But working out our salvation is for our benefit; it helps us to experience a more abundant life on earth. The fact is, we are righteous in God's eyes. We stand before Him as precious and clean. As I've said before, He sees the end product (us, seated in the heavenlies with Christ). He's not anxious and worried about our issues. So, neither should we be...we should just yield to Him and allow Him to transform us from within (and that will show up as change on the outside).
Honestly, when God looks at you, dear believer, He sees a righteous individual. And guess what? All his promises to the righteous are pretty amazing; all are good. Ain't no bad Old Testament trauma for the righteous! When God gives promises to the righteous, they are forever. They are still relevant for you. They are, "Yes! in Christ," as Paul earnestly pleaded with the once-pagan Corinthians to believe.
The fact is, all the promises that God made: safety, shelter, protection, blessings, prospering in or spirit, soul and body, favor and many others, are for us today!
Allow those promises to sink into your heart. Hold them dear to you, because God wants you to. He wants you to take Him at His Word. Even if you aren't seeing it right now in your life, grasp onto His promises, His Word and ask God to show you that they are indeed relevant promises, that they are "Yes!" in Christ Jesus.
"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill it?" Numbers 23:19
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11
Amen to the glory of God!
2 Cor 1:20
God's desire is to shower us with His promises, to say, "Yes" to us concerning all that He promised in His Word.
When I first read this verse I wondered to myself, "What does that mean? What did God promise?" I quickly relegated all of God's promises into a box: a Savior, Salvation, Heaven. My God-in-a-box was limited.
As I learned more about God's Word, I discovered that there is a whole world of promises to us from God. Most are found in the Old Testament (these are the specific promises to which Paul was referring since they didn't have a New Testament when he wrote this to the Christians of the day - but all the promises in the New Testament are also "Yes"!)
When I first read of these promises and discovered them in the Bible, I have to admit, I really didn't think they applied to me or my life. I mean, I really didn't believe that God really and truly meant them for me. I mean, really. Who am I?
For example: When God said in Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." That sounded so beautiful, so comforting. But didn't God mean that just for his people in the Old Testament? That deflating thought kept me from allowing that promise to enter my heart.
As the years progressed, God began to show me that His Word is forever. The promises He gave to His people did not pass away and die; they are not obsolete for those of us who are now His people. They come into all fullness for us. They are especially for us, those who were far away but came to Him through faith in His precious Son, those of us who miraculously (through His sovereign impartation of faith) believe in the atoning blood of His Son; the beloved Son who took upon Himself all of our nasty sin. Indeed, the promises culminate in a resounding "Yes" for us! For, blessed are we who have not seen, but believe and receive His cleansing.
Even more amazing is that all the promises to God's children, all the promises to the righteous are for us because of that blood. Jesus made an unfair trade: He took off our unrighteousness and put it on himself; then He put His righteousness upon us. When God gazes upon us, His children through faith in Christ, He sees us as righteous. He separates us from our sin (sin is on the left, and we are the right). He sees us on the right, without the sin, RIGHTEOUS!
Yes, yes, I know...we have issues we are all walking out, working out and fleshing out. But working out our salvation is for our benefit; it helps us to experience a more abundant life on earth. The fact is, we are righteous in God's eyes. We stand before Him as precious and clean. As I've said before, He sees the end product (us, seated in the heavenlies with Christ). He's not anxious and worried about our issues. So, neither should we be...we should just yield to Him and allow Him to transform us from within (and that will show up as change on the outside).
Honestly, when God looks at you, dear believer, He sees a righteous individual. And guess what? All his promises to the righteous are pretty amazing; all are good. Ain't no bad Old Testament trauma for the righteous! When God gives promises to the righteous, they are forever. They are still relevant for you. They are, "Yes! in Christ," as Paul earnestly pleaded with the once-pagan Corinthians to believe.
The fact is, all the promises that God made: safety, shelter, protection, blessings, prospering in or spirit, soul and body, favor and many others, are for us today!
Allow those promises to sink into your heart. Hold them dear to you, because God wants you to. He wants you to take Him at His Word. Even if you aren't seeing it right now in your life, grasp onto His promises, His Word and ask God to show you that they are indeed relevant promises, that they are "Yes!" in Christ Jesus.
"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill it?" Numbers 23:19
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11
Amen to the glory of God!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Dwelling in the Lord
"He who dwells in the Shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'...If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
How do we dwell in the Shelter of the Most High, because this sure sounds like a place I want to be. How ‘bout you? There seems to be a condition on this promise. The condition is that we "make" the Most High our dwelling place. It's a volitional choice to make God the place where we hang out. It stands to reason that in order to make God our dwelling place, we need to dwell on Him - not on our problems, the circumstances that surround us and the issues that seem to be prevailing against us. We must not dwell on those things, but focus our thoughts and minds on Him. There’s another Scripture that says “He will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”
When I first pondered this verse, I wondered how do I keep my mind stayed on Him, as well as how do I dwell in His shelter. The Lord seemed to speak to my heart saying “I am The Word.” The Word! "Yes, of course!" I thought. I instantly realized that to keep our minds on the Lord is to focus on Scripture. Perhaps there are other ways, but this was what God showed me.
You see, God usually speaks to us through His Word. So, before you open your Bible, ask the Lord to reveal His Word to your heart as you read, to speak to you through His Word. It is indeed God's will to do this. 1 John 5:14 says that if you ask anything according to His will, it will be done for you.
As you read, God will highlight a Scripture passage or verse for you. You know it's from God if it fills you with hope, insight or answers your questions/problems in a way that brings peace as it reveals truth. Even God's rebukes are not done harshly, but with a spirit of peace that brings confidence and tranquility and yes, even joy as you repent. The enemy is easily recognized by the condemnation and hopelessness you feel - but that's a whole 'nother subject.
As the Lord gives you a Scripture, mediate on it all day long. Write it down and carry it with you. Make a note of the book and chapter so you can find it again when the Lord has you share it with someone else - as He often does. Think on it throughout the day. This is what it means to keep your mind stayed on Him—for He is the Word, and the Word is Him.
This is also how you dwell in His shelter: we abide in Him by keeping our mind, heart and thoughts on Him—His Word– throughout the day. Then, you can rest in the peace of knowing that His promises found in Psalm 91 are for you, as you make Him your shelter.
"The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run in and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-12
How do we dwell in the Shelter of the Most High, because this sure sounds like a place I want to be. How ‘bout you? There seems to be a condition on this promise. The condition is that we "make" the Most High our dwelling place. It's a volitional choice to make God the place where we hang out. It stands to reason that in order to make God our dwelling place, we need to dwell on Him - not on our problems, the circumstances that surround us and the issues that seem to be prevailing against us. We must not dwell on those things, but focus our thoughts and minds on Him. There’s another Scripture that says “He will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”
When I first pondered this verse, I wondered how do I keep my mind stayed on Him, as well as how do I dwell in His shelter. The Lord seemed to speak to my heart saying “I am The Word.” The Word! "Yes, of course!" I thought. I instantly realized that to keep our minds on the Lord is to focus on Scripture. Perhaps there are other ways, but this was what God showed me.
You see, God usually speaks to us through His Word. So, before you open your Bible, ask the Lord to reveal His Word to your heart as you read, to speak to you through His Word. It is indeed God's will to do this. 1 John 5:14 says that if you ask anything according to His will, it will be done for you.
As you read, God will highlight a Scripture passage or verse for you. You know it's from God if it fills you with hope, insight or answers your questions/problems in a way that brings peace as it reveals truth. Even God's rebukes are not done harshly, but with a spirit of peace that brings confidence and tranquility and yes, even joy as you repent. The enemy is easily recognized by the condemnation and hopelessness you feel - but that's a whole 'nother subject.
As the Lord gives you a Scripture, mediate on it all day long. Write it down and carry it with you. Make a note of the book and chapter so you can find it again when the Lord has you share it with someone else - as He often does. Think on it throughout the day. This is what it means to keep your mind stayed on Him—for He is the Word, and the Word is Him.
This is also how you dwell in His shelter: we abide in Him by keeping our mind, heart and thoughts on Him—His Word– throughout the day. Then, you can rest in the peace of knowing that His promises found in Psalm 91 are for you, as you make Him your shelter.
"The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run in and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Encourage One Another Daily
It's so important that we surround our lives with encouragement. God's Word tells us that we need encouragement daily. Are you getting daily encouragement? Are your friends encouraging to you? Do you listen to encouraging messages on the radio or the computer? Do you read encouraging blogs? Are you being encouraged in your walk with God?
If not, I think you will find a big change in your life if you are proactive to seek some encouragement each day. It's so easy to fall into a place of discouragement, despair. It's so tempting to feel overwhelmed at the task ahead.
Over and over we see in the New Testament how important encouragement is. Paul is always sending someone to encourage a group of believers. He talks a great deal about being encouraged. Certainly being a Christian in those times necessitated encouragement. I believe being a homeschooler also necessitates encouragement.
When we allow ourselves to be encouraged, we gain "courage" to face the future and all that we must do to successfully educate our kids and bless others. We begin to lift up our eyes to the hills from whence comes our help, fixing our eyes on Jesus - who gives us strength. We are able to see greater purpose in our lives. Encouragement gives us hope for what lies ahead. We can then get excited about the future, rather than full of fear and worry about our children's weaknesses and our failings.
Through encouragement, we overcome despair, discouragement and fear. The Lord tells us more than 365 times in the Word not to fear. He wants you to be of good courage, to be confident - for He promises to fulfill His purposes, his great plans, for you and your children.
Seek out friends, websites, radio programs, podcasts, blogs and people that will build you up. Receive encouragement each day and then give it away to others.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thes 5:11
If not, I think you will find a big change in your life if you are proactive to seek some encouragement each day. It's so easy to fall into a place of discouragement, despair. It's so tempting to feel overwhelmed at the task ahead.
Over and over we see in the New Testament how important encouragement is. Paul is always sending someone to encourage a group of believers. He talks a great deal about being encouraged. Certainly being a Christian in those times necessitated encouragement. I believe being a homeschooler also necessitates encouragement.
When we allow ourselves to be encouraged, we gain "courage" to face the future and all that we must do to successfully educate our kids and bless others. We begin to lift up our eyes to the hills from whence comes our help, fixing our eyes on Jesus - who gives us strength. We are able to see greater purpose in our lives. Encouragement gives us hope for what lies ahead. We can then get excited about the future, rather than full of fear and worry about our children's weaknesses and our failings.
Through encouragement, we overcome despair, discouragement and fear. The Lord tells us more than 365 times in the Word not to fear. He wants you to be of good courage, to be confident - for He promises to fulfill His purposes, his great plans, for you and your children.
Seek out friends, websites, radio programs, podcasts, blogs and people that will build you up. Receive encouragement each day and then give it away to others.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thes 5:11
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