Honestly Honest

The following are snippets from my journal:

January 3: Your right hand sustains me... Psalm 18:35

January 4: Remember to keep my eyes on Jesus.

January 5: "I go before you daily to prepare your way..." Francis J. Roberts 
Also, the LORD takes care of the godly.

January 6: Lord, You know what's happening.

January 7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

January 9: Be desperate for God's word and know it.

January 11: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

January 12: "...your financial need-they are all known to Him. He sympathizes as no one else can and watches to see if through it all, you will dare to trust Him completely." Streams in the                   Desert

January 13: "For in the midst of difficulties, I will be your support." Francis J. Roberts Pray for proper perspective.

January 16: "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27a 
"Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth, avoid careless banter, white lies, and                                 gossip." Proverbs 4:24 MSG

January 18: Melissa, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love, and with Him
is full redemption. (Psalm 130:7)

January 19: Pray and never give up.

January 20: Help me LORD to be a doer of the Word; to know who I am in You, and to not define myself by what others perceive of me.

January 21: Help me LORD to do what it takes.

January 25: Show me Your Glory, LORD. I trust you with the outcomes.

January 27: "I will remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13

You are probably wondering why I would take the time to share all of that. Looking back, I see how God has been preparing me for some interesting news.

Thursday January 28: I found out from a coworker that my job is changing and it's unclear to me if I still have a job. 

I failed.

My first response wasn't to trust God with the outcomes. It was to freak out, cry and question everything.

Thankfully, my husband had the day off from work and was able to offer such sweet encouragement. He assured me that we would be OK and not to worry.

I then told him that it was my turn to prepare an encouraging word for the other homeschool moms at my co-op.

"How can I do this when I'm not sure I can even continue?"

I asked God to help me and before I said or did something stupid, I took a nap like a good girl.

Two hours later I woke up and God in His goodness and mercy reminded me of Proverbs 31. I'm probably the last person to be sharing from Proverbs 31 but in case you haven't noticed, God has a sense of humor.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." v. 25 NLT

I don't know about you, but I've never been able to do that. It's likely the last thing I do but only because I want to avoid crying.

I do the exact opposite of what Albert Barnes says, "She looks forward to the future, not with anxious care but with confident gladness."  Man, that is something I need to work on for sure.

The strength mentioned above refers to strength of mind, not of body. My friend Merriam Webster defines strength as, "The quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way." 

So this means to me that I'm not to fear what may happen and I'm to know whom I place my trust in.

Side note to self: I should probably re-read the days leading up to Thursday and encourage myself in the LORD my God.

"They do not fear bad news; the confidently trust in the LORD to care for them." Psalm 112:7

With God's help and my surrender, I want to be able to recognize God's guidance so that I can calmly trust Him for what's next.

I'm not the calmest person when I hear bad news. I may not freak out loudly or throw things, but I'm almost dying inside. Honestly, I sometimes use those situations to be mean. I take my opportunity to say whatever I feel like saying because I'm mad after all.

Then I continued reading in Proverbs and verse 26 slapped me right across my big mouth:

"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness."

OUCH!

This verse says WHEN she speaks which implies that maybe I shouldn't always be talking and at the very least that I should think before I speak.

Her words are wise: this means that I am not to speak empty and aimless words. This is important in everyday life and especially as a homeschool mom.

"She guides her family with words of wisdom and when she speaks it is not gossip, or slander, or idle talk that she utters, but sentences of prudence and sound sense to minister grace to the hearers. In her language to those around her she is animated and regulated  by love. She teaches with gracious kindness and ready sympathy." Pulpit Commentary

Have I mentioned yet that I'm thankful for grace, God's goodness and second chances? Well, I am.

She gives instruction with kindness? Oh my word! Lord, help.  I say things like, "Just do what it says!"  And, "For the love, how many times do I have to tell you?" And other unkind things that I pray my boys won't remember.

I'm not certain I even know what kindness is or even how to be kind right now.

In the Hebrew language, kindness is translated hesed which means unfailing, loyal love, loving kindness, good and merciful kindness.

Meditating on that, I realize that kindness is to be a practice which means it's probably not something I'm good at naturally. I'm selfish and when my boat gets rocked, it's easier to speak my native tongue: harsh and unkind words.

But thanks be to God! Because, in my weakness He is strong! The Scriptures are full of ways to help me watch my tongue, to think before I speak and to instruct me on how to encourage others. We are commanded to speak words of life, to talk to each other in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges sums up why speaking kindly to others (especially our children at home) matters: "The teaching of wise instruction and counsel she gives is so combined with kindness as to win rather than compel obedience." 

Speaking kindly makes a huge impact in my daily life as does trusting in God completely.

"A gentle answers turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

People are listening.

"Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29

******

I just want to share something awesome about how relational God is. I woke up at 4:30 AM on 1/29/16 to write this for my friends at co-op. I second guessed myself as I always do so I opened up Streams in the Desert to find something to read instead*. This is what God revealed:

God is in the midst of her; she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 

Psalm 46:5

"Will not be moved"-what an inspiring declaration! Is it possible for us who are so easily moved by earthly things to come to a point where nothing can upset or disturb our peace? The answer is yes, and the apostle Paul knew it. When he was on his way to Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit warned him that "prison and hardships" awaited him. Yet he could triumphantly say, "But none of these things move me." Everything in Paul;s life and experience that could be disturbed had already been shaken, and he no longer considered his life or any of his possessions as having any earthly value. And if we will only let God have His way with us, we can come to the same point. Then, like Paul, neither the stress and strain of the little things nor the great and heavy trials of life will have enough power to move us from "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding". God declares this to be the inheritance of those who have learned to rest only in Him." -Streams in the Desert



*I shared both my blog post AND the above passage in obedience to my God.

xo

A Heart to Know

via

Oh, 2015. The year of the heart. It was a fun word to have, cute even. Hearts are my love language. Heart socks. Heart stickers. Heart notepads. Hearts, everywhere.

I didn't want 2015 to end because of those hearts but God began dropping hints in September when I memorized the verse above. I found it easy to remember because, 24/7. A heart to know...It was like a ping pong match in my head.

A heart to know....what do I know...a heart to know....what do I know...

What does 'know' even mean? And when I tell people my word will they think 'no' or do I have to explain it: know like know, not no. I am so confused.

Thank the Lord for the dictionary!

1. a (1) :  to perceive directly :  have direct cognition of (2) :  to have understanding of know

 (3) :  to recognize the nature of :  discernb (1) :  to recognize as being the same as something previously known (2) :  to be acquainted or familiar with (3) :  to have experience of

2a :  to be aware of the truth or factuality of :  be convinced or certain ofb :  to have a practical understanding of

I started the dialogue even then with the Lord about the importance of knowing what I say I believe. I could feel the Lord beginning to prepare for me what I didn't know. Does that make sense? I spent all of 2015 getting His Word into my heart and He was equipping me for war.

And then I remembered reading a blog post from Ann Voskamp several years earlier when she shared about why we memorize Scripture:

"All the heart really knows is what it knows by heart." She goes onto say, "What the heart knows by heart is all that can calm the heart." via

That was October 2015 and my one word for 2016 was not on my radar.

It wasn't even on my radar on November 8, 2015 when I was listening to part three of Judah Smith's sermon series called 'Friend of Jesus'. He had been reading out of 1 John 2 and since John the beloved only used a cool 300+ vocabulary words in his letter, there was gobs of repetition.

"And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments." (v. 3)

I felt the Lord prompting me but before I shut the sermon off and told God 'no' (hashtag don't judge me) I remember him saying, "This is friendship knowledge, not if your faith is genuine. It's a test of genuine friendship." 

Quickly I found myself talking to the Lord, telling Him that word wasn't cute and no one will even understand. He told me it was for me to understand...to know what I know...to put into practice what I've been hiding in my heart all of 2015.

As the scent of pizza filled my silver Camry, I could feel my heart starting to beat faster which for me, is always an indication of the Holy Spirit working within. "Lord, are you sure?" This is my prayer as I exit the car a hero with our favorite lunch.

I don't recall even eating the pizza before I checked Instagram, but I'm sure I did. Because, pizza.

While on Instagram I see this from my friends at The Pointed Life:

"What helps keep my eyes on God's purpose and on eternity is reminding myself this: We are left here on earth after we are saved so that we can help others be saved also. We are carriers of His glory and tellers of His grace. We are God's plan for the world to know Him." 

Have you ever noticed when you buy a car, whatever color/brand it may be, you all of the sudden notice that everybody and their mother has that same car? No? Just me? Well, that's what it was like when God confirmed my word know for 2016. It seemed like it was in every passage of Scripture I would read.

I came up with this list of, and in the words of Sara Groves, "really what do I know"...

I know...

I shall not be put to shame. Is. 50:7
I am fully known. 1 Cor. 13:12
God knows. 2 Cor. 12:2
He brought me out from under the burdens. Ex. 16:7
There is no one like the Lord our God. Ex. 8:10
I am known by name and have found favor in His sight. Ex. 33:17
He keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him. Deut. 8:3
He goes before me as a consuming fire. Deut. 9:3
He is in my midst. Joshua 22:31
Not one word has failed. Joshua 23:14
I am a worthy woman. Ruth 3:11
My eyes are on You. 2 Chronicles 20:12
My Redeemer lives. Job 19:25
What my lips know they speak sincerely and I declare what I know. Job 33:3,4
He can do all things and no purpose of His can be thwarted. Job 42:2
The Lord has set me apart for Himself and He hears when I call. Psalm 4:3
He has not forsaken me. Psalm 9:10
I have told the glad news of deliverance. Psalm 40:9
My enemy will not shout in triumph over me. Psalm 41:11
God is for me. Psalm 56:9
I am blessed and walk in the light of His face. Psalm 89:15
The Lord is great and above all gods. Psalm 135:5
He will maintain the cause of the afflicted. Psalm 140:12
My way is known by the Lord. Psalm 142:3
He gives treasures in darkness and the hoards in secret places that I may know the Lord. Isaiah 45:3
How to sustain with a word him who is weary. Isaiah 50:4
He knows. Jeremiah 15:15
He gives me a future and hope. Jeremiah 29:11
He has rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. Ezekiel 36:36
There is none else and I shall never again be put to shame. Joel 2:27
He has authority to forgive sins. Matthew 9:6
The Truth and the truth will set me free. John 8:32
His voice. John 10:27
The Spirit helps me in my weaknesses and He intercedes for me. Romans 8:26
Because I love God all thing work together for good. Romans 8:28
I am God's temple and His Spirit dwells in me. 1 Corinthians 3:16
The hope to which I've been called. Ephesians 1:18
I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed. 2 Timothy 1:12
Love. He laid down His life for me. 1 John 3:16
He has set before me an open door that no one is able to shut. Revelation 3:8

And that's what I know!

Happy New Year!
xo

My Great Privilege

                                                                           Image Credit

On June 3, 2015,  I was enjoying communion with the Lord, writing down things He was placing on my heart....words like purpose...will...loyalty...teach...yield. I began sifting through my stack of books looking for the Morning & Evening devotional by Charles Spurgeon. I opened to this:

"These were the potters who lived there in the king's service." 1 Chronicles 4:23 ESV

Something clicked within my spirit and I quickly wrote down, "new blog post idea!" and that started my study route for the last nine days. Seeing the words, "in the king's service" pricked my heart so deeply, I took it as a sign from God to pursue this Scripture further. I read everything I could find on it.

"Potters were among the ranks of manual workers, but the king needed potters, and therefore they were elevated to royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing by clay. In the same way we also may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord's work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for the King..." Spurgeon

Last month I received a phone call from my good friend Michelle asking if I would be willing to be part of her content team for She Works His Way a place of "encouragement for working women to find balance in life through total surrender to Jesus". 

I listened.

News flash! I had been praying for months for opportunities to write with purpose and God gave me the gift of writing a 40 day devotional for my church. Although, I should confess that after I wrote day one I tried backing out. I contacted the church and told them they had the wrong person...that I only respond to devotionals, not write them. They didn't let me off the hook and told me to keep going and to use my God-given gifts.  I was totally blown away by that. And so I did and it was a tremendous blessing in my life.

Here He is again, five months later, hand-delivering me an opportunity to work with Michelle and I respond this way:

" I am humbled and honored that you would think of me but you have the wrong person.... I don't really work."

I do that all the time. I tell people, "I'm just a homeschooling mom"....like I have no value or He can't use me in my current life stage....but in Him I am more than that.  I truly am grateful for the reminder that it is a great privilege to do anything for the King. 

Michelle laughed and told me at length that I do work, that the Lord was already using me and in her inspiring way she encouraged me to pray about it. That was a Friday afternoon. 

Over the weekend I prayed, confessed my sin of pride and even walked away from something I love, something good, to work on heart things and to pursue God alone. By that following Monday I became part of her team.

Psalm 100:5 says, "Let the whole world know what He has done!" Just like the king needed the potters, the Lord has need of me right where I am. The Lord has need of you, too.

The potter's lived there in the king's service. So it got me thinking. The King needs me and has asked me to make myself available to Him so He can use me in the best way He sees fit.

I want Him to use me as an instrument to proclaim His message in every place He has me. Am I serving my husband in the King's service? Am I educating my boys in the King's service? Am I writing in the King's service? Am I working my two part-time jobs in the King's service? Because that's what I want to do....to serve wholeheartedly and work for Him with enthusiasm. (Ephesians 6:7)

"There is no ideal place for us to serve God except the place He sets us down. We are not to run from it on a whim or sudden notion, but we should serve the Lord in it by being a blessing to those among whom we live." Spurgeon

I have been set down in my home, by God, to be a blessing to those around me. I've been given opportunities to write from home, to teach, encourage and equip women who also want to be a reflection of the Lord in the places where He has them.

I saw a quote on Pinterest and I'm not sure who came up with it, but I love it. It says, "You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with. Choose carefully." 

I am an early riser and I give Him the first part of my day. As I've done that consistently, He's been so dear to me....showing me things about Himself in fresh and exciting ways. This time ignites my creativity, my passion for the things of God and it helps me push past my feelings of fear and inadequacy. 

"Write those things I say to you, write and hold back nothing of all I shall say to you." 
Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved

This is my great privilege...my opportunity to demonstrate and display the love of Jesus with the words I write whether here on my blog or elsewhere. I know that I can't write in my own strength and for my own glory...it never works out.  Total surrender is a process for sure, but I know that He will be with me the entire way.  He is guiding me on this new path, a path that I can trust Him on.

"Dwell with the King and do His work, and when He writes His chronicles, your name shall be recorded." Spurgeon

Lord, I want to soar in the service of You, My Master.

xo

For God

                                                                             Yes He is!


I recently listened to Lara Casey give a heart to heart talk about creativity and her struggles with comparison, jealousy and envy. She is the real deal and my heart was immediately drawn to her. As soon as she sat down and opened her mouth to speak, the tears welled up in my tired blue eyes. It was late last Wednesday night as I began watching her video. She said, "Your creative gifts? They mean something. Your creative gifts were given to you by God for God." Hello, waterworks.

I quickly scratched a few notes in my hot pink and gold polka dot Greenroom journal and called it a night. I  needed to let what I had heard marinate for a while. Fast forward to 5 o'clock the next morning when I opened up my prayer journal and began writing down my prayer. Here is part of it:

"...Thank You for using Lara Casey...You are creative, You made me creative for Your glory, not mine. What are the motivations of my heart? I repent that yes, I wanted to write to make a name for myself so I could feel important, like I mattered and have value. I don't think I've ever admitted that I craved notoriety.... I surrender all of my wrong motives to Your Lordship...I want to walk in Your light of life. Help me out of the dark places of envy, jealousy, comparison, pride, anger...If I am to write, release the words...open my eyes...tell the story for me...and let it all be for Your glory....

Man, it is gut wrenching to be so vulnerable but I share it in hopes that someone will be encouraged as I was when Lara shared her story. Shame dwells in secrecy and I've lived in that arena for a minute.

After my prayer time, I plug in my ear buds and listen to Pastor Steven while I fast walk around the track by my house. He's preaching about stretch marks, making me laugh out loud and amen at the same time. In the midst of hearing him share, I hear the Lord ask me to write this blog post. I am fired up to share because the truth sets people free, right? Funny though, on my walk home after the podcast ended and I was alone with my thoughts, I was like "No, Lord. I don't think I can." When will I ever learn? Smile. And He said to me, "Yes, you can. I know you." 

I get home all sweaty and grab a pen and paper and I take down the definition of 'notoriety' and words related to it...and I see the word 'influence'.  The definition of notoriety has thrown me off because it means the character of being notorious or widely known. Light bulb moment: I don't want notoriety but rather influence which is the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions of others. My desire is to display Jesus Christ in my everyday life in a way that makes Him attractive to others.

I want the creativity that God has given me to be used for God. That's the biggest takeaway that I received from Lara. It was a timely word for me. And as God is graciously opening doors for me,  I pray Psalm 19:14 repeatedly. And I knew I needed to be honest and share some of the dark places of my heart while I'm walking the road less traveled.

The goal of any writing I do, the way I live, the words I use, the motivations of my heart, how I treat my husband and children is for His glory, not mine. Can I brag about how awesome my God is?

In the midst of all my internal chaos, He gently reminds me of something that I've been seeing over and over again as I'm working through Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge. He says, "Melissa, I see you. I know you." 

As fast as I can I say Thank You Jesus and begin typing the word 'know' in Google and find all the information on what it means. I read every definition, I take down Scripture after Scripture with that word in it, I find meaningful quotes about being known, and when I'm finished I find I have SEVEN pages of notes on wide-ruled notebook paper.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it best, "One must completely abandon any attempt to make something of oneself...(instead) we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God." 

Somewhere along the way, I allowed some wrong thinking and old ways creep inside my heart, to try to make a name for myself. When honestly and truly, my prayer has been, and continues to be, that I want to know Him and make Him known. I'm grateful for the gut check from God because He can't use me and my wrong motives. And then in His awesomeness He leads me to 1 Corinthians 8:3:

"But if anyone loves God, he is known by God."

I love words. I especially love the Greek word for 'know' which is epiginosko which means to know exactly. I get to know God by my personal and direct relationship with Him. He knows everything about me. The good. The bad. The ugly. I don't have to perform for Him. I don't have to earn His love. He willingly gives Himself to me. And that makes me willing to give Him all of me in return.

It doesn't matter who knows me, as long I know Him and love Him because I know He knows me, loves me and proved it for me when He died so I could live. And my goal is to tell everyone, everywhere, "The King is wild for you!" Psalm 45:11 MSG

xo

Revision

Two years ago I wrote a blog post in response to some sweet friends on Instagram wanting to know how I study the Bible. It turned out to be my most popular post to date. If you are new here and haven't read the original post you can find it here. 

A little over a month ago I started feeling stagnant like something was missing from my journaling...and then it dawned on me...I was missing from my journaling. I had hidden my voice and response to the things the Lord had asked of me out of laziness.  Let me explain. 

Here is my what I wrote on Instagram on 4/23/15: "Confession Post #3001: Today I find myself feeling restless with my journaling. I'm going back to the drawing board, asking God to let me use my own words...not the words of commentators all the time...the reason I tend to read a lot of commentary is to gain a deeper understanding. I guess the missing piece is making it  more personal and letting go of what people might think of me. So there's my heart."

As soon as finished posting those words, I felt the Lord remind me of a book I bought on January 7, 2015 when I went on my Amazon binge with my Christmas money! So I flew down the stair to my office, starred at my bulging bookcase and there it was! 

I quickly raced back upstairs, picked up my ipad and began to give a praise report on Instagram. "And just like that the Lord who knows my heart and hears my prayers, just reminded me of a book I bought a few months ago. He knows the desires of my heart, my dream to teach, write and encourage others. And in the sweetest way He's helping me be ok with my own words. Lord, I love you!"

On April 26, 2015 I finished the book and I've not been the same since. I totally could have finished the book in one night but I was practicing self control and taking notes the entire way through, hence the delay. Smiley emoji here. 

During this time I also learned about the 7 Arrows of Bible Reading  and understanding that for myself has proven extremely beneficial, and I highly recommend that resource if you want to dig deeper in your personal study time. 

I have been preparing my heart to write this post for two weeks now, just trying to find the best word to describe this process. What I was doing before wasn't wrong; but I felt a tug in my spirit that there was a better way. And the Lord gave me this word: revision.

Revision: n.  a change or set of changes that corrects or improves something

The change that I'm making is going from allowing myself to jump to my study Bible and Biblical commentaries when I start to feel lost in Scripture. Lost is a feeling I don't like. 

Here is another excerpt from me processing the new information from Jen's book: "I told myself I wasn't a good student in school because I had average grades. My high school chemistry teacher told me she never met someone who worked so hard for average grades. I was afraid of going to college for fear of failure. I have almost completely relied on my study Bible and commentaries, telling myself that I need them to help me 'get it' instead of asking God to help me."

Fast forward to page 81 of Jen's book: "The problem is not with our study Bibles or commentaries; the problem is with out need for instant gratification and our dislike of feeling lost. Commentaries hold a valid place in the learning process, but that place is not at the beginning of the learning process, where they can diminish our sense of feeling lost- a feeling that is actually our friend." 

I didn't start out with commentaries at the beginning of my studying, but it sort of slipped in...that need for instant gratification. But God is faithful to meet me right in the midst of my feelings of being lost and dying to the need for instant gratification. Isn't He so good in every way?! 

The things that remain the same: 

The early morning hours. I still love them and crave that time because I'm a homeschool mama and am not without my boys so I need that alone time with Jesus. I light candles and still drink my piping hot cup of English Breakfast tea while Pandora quietly plays worship music in the background. 

My Disclaimer. I want to remind you again that it's so nice that people want to know how I study the Scriptures. But I am no Bible scholar. I just love Jesus, want to know Him in a super personal way and make Him known in every way I can. He means everything to me. 

Prayer. It needs no explanation, really....other than its necessary.

The things that changed:  Compliments of  The LORD, Jen Wilkin & 7 Arrows of Bible Reading

A printed copy of the text: double spaced with plenty of room for note taking, highlighting and definitions. This is totally my jam.

Background Information: Who wrote it? When? Why? Where? Themes?

Repetitive Reading: It is incredible what repetitive reading will do for personal understanding. Try it!

CIA:  This is not what you might think. C stands for comprehension: what does it say? I stands for interpretation: what does it mean? A stands for application: how should it change me? 

7 Arrows: What does this passage say? What did it mean to its original audience? What does this passage tell us about God? What does tell me about man? What does this passage demand of me? How does this passage change the way I relate to people? What does this passage prompt me to pray about?

If you are still reading, thank you. I am passionate about the Lord and spending time with Him on a daily basis. He still directs my heart with what I share about what He's teaching me. He inspires me and leads me through this beautiful journey of discovery.

Revision.

Yes, Lord.

For Your glory.

xo,
Melissa

PS: If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments and I'll work on answering them in a separate post. My next post will be about journaling prayers to keep proper focus. Love y'all!

She Reads Truth

REFLECT

Hello Loves!

I have been asked by my church to write a 40 Day Easter Devotional so that's where I'll be until Easter! You can follow along by texting the word REFLECT to 555888. Each morning at 6 AM you will receive the devotional or you can follow along by clicking here.

I am so thankful to the Lord for this opportunity!

Love y'all!

xo

Flies

*This is what I am sharing at my homeschool co-op today.

February: Welcome to the time of year when my homeschool related fears rush in. We passed the 100 day mark. It's almost convention time.  Cabin fever. You know what I mean. The blizzards: Juno, Marcus,  and Neptune. I can't. This would be a lovely time for me to try and provide some encouragement to weary and worn out moms. Riiiight. Thanks for volunteering me to share today, Michelle! P.S. The devotion scheduler is bossy! :)

Earlier this week as I began to ask the Lord what He would have me share, I kept recalling 1 John 4:18. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear...."

I have life fears. I'm sure we all do. Today though, I want to talk about fear as it relates to homeschooling. I know that I'm not alone in this. But just to be sure, I asked some fellow homeschool moms (online) to share some of their fears.  I will share some responses in a moment.

As it turns out, my fears are not unique to me.  Being responsible for our children's education is a daunting task.  My fears cause me to freak out and forget the Truth of the Scriptures for a minute. I sort of panic and tell myself that I can't do it... but my reactions don't bring glory to God.  Because the Truth is that He called me and has equipped me to do this even on my worst day of school.

These are the "flies" (fear/lies) I received and truth to replace them with:

...I fear opinions of family members...
Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults. Isaiah 51:7 NLT

...I fear that I'm not a good enough teacher...
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV

...I fear that I'm not capable of giving them the best education...
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT

...I fear they are missing out because of me...
But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. Psalm 33:18 NLT

....I fear that I'm not enough...
On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4

...I fear that I'm not teaching them what they need to know...
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD--Isaiah 11:2

....I fear that I am failing them....
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

I'm so thankful to the Lord for this Truth:

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

These slavish fears we at war with are not from God. They are lies straight from the pit . We need to take back our thoughts of fear and replace them with the Truth. We are loved by the Lord. He has equipped us to teach, train and encourage our children. The enemy wants nothing more than for us to get caught up in what we are not doing. We need to stop falling into his traps and believe what God's Word says.

We have to trust our lives, our souls, our interests, our reactions, our routines, our children and their education to the Lord Jesus Christ. After all, they belong to Him.

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