Care Full

1-2 when Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

Dear Friend:

As I read through this modern version of the beatitudes I found them to provoke thought and consideration with God. Those that took the time to listen to Jesus were said to be “apprenticed and committed.” Are you one or more of these: at the end of your rope, grieving, content, loving God, care full, have good heart condition, mind in tack, at peace, and persecuted? If you identify, God has something to say to you.

Let’s pray:
Father in heaven help me to bring your peace from heaven down to earth. In Jesus name. Amen.

Care full,
Elaine

Epic

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength." - Charles Spurgeon (Maybe when I am lacking strength it's because I am not lacking worries)

Dear Friend:

Each day recently I have been hearing this word “epic.” I have noticed the teens like saying the word when something which they consider to be bigger than great “epic.” Daily we have stuff to deal with and sometimes we may even say our moments are bigger than big so we refer to it as “epic.”

1 Kings 19:7-9 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

Elijah followed God’s very detailed orders and dealt with Ahab and his false prophets. The result was Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, did not like what Elijah did her anger rose up with vengeance. Elijah runs for his life saying “"I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."

Isn’t this exactly what is going on today in our world? Things seem hopeless. Your mind tricks you in to believing things are so bad that you want to die. Suicide rates with our teens are rising in great numbers. Why? Because of the lie speaking in their head “there’s no way to resolve this.”

In an “epic” moment we need an “epic” hero. Elijah’s all knowing hero rescues him in a gentle loving way. He starts by letting Elijah rest and fills him with food. Quickly Elijah gains tremendous strength and is able to do something not many of us can but travel s by foot 40 days and 40 nights. Wow!
Are you amazed at what God can do for you when you are empty and out of strength filled with worry?

Get up and eat! I do miracles of strength! –GOD-

Pass this word of hope onto others we must eliminate the words in our mind “things are hopeless.”

Strengthened,
Elaine

Alternative Future

Matthew 16:17 (New International Version)
17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

Dear Friend:

What was revealed to Simon by God and not by man?
He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Do you want an alternative future? According to this scripture you don’t need a human being, TV, books or even a teacher to reveal this answer. Is that even possible? He says it! This gets me so excited because there are so many people who don’t know Jesus. Here in lies the problem though!
You need to inquire and be able to answer, “Who do you say Jesus is?” –GOD-

Let’s pray: Jesus who are you? Reveal yourself to me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Got it,
Elaine

Snexting

Proverbs 6:16-19 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
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Dear Friend:
It is very common for teachers in High School to have students sign an agreement as to the expectations in the classroom for the semester. Teachers have found it to be very detestable to have students “snext” in class. Snext means “sneak texting,” that is how one teacher defined it. But if you Google it says texting with sexual references. Teachers want to teach without interruption or cheating and this is just another thing that is hindering getting that accomplished.

Peruse through the above list and you can conclude that God was very specific about the things he did not like. The list is not exhaustive yet exposes the things in man’s heart that we are all tempted to do. I wonder if God would like us to sign an agreement that we would not do these things.

Let’s pray: Father I need the Holy Spirit to remind me when I am tempted to things above. I need you to help me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Are you hindering the teacher, our Lord, in any way from being able to teach in your life?

Learning,
Elaine