A Set Apart School Year -Pt.2

My mom is a very adventurous cook. She loves finding and creating new spices, sauces, and flavor combinations.  I gladly accept the position of taste tester awaiting a new taste bud sensation. Sometimes she shoves a spoon in my mouth or a jar in my hand and says, "Taste this." Sometimes, however, she gives me something and says, "Taste this and tell me what's missing". The bible says, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!"  I definitely got a good taste yesterday as He dropped that word about it being a set apart school year (read that blog here).  But I also got the feeling that the message wasn't fully complete...

tell me what's missing... tugged at me as I typed.

Experiencing a set apart school year is an awesome thing, one that I personally experienced last year after several years of teaching trauma that nearly pushed me mentally, spiritually, and physically out of the ministry of teaching.  Yes, what we do is a ministry as we co-labor with Christ to advance His Kingdom into the field of education (see 1Corinthians 3:9).  Broken hearts, broken homes, and our broken educational system needs men and women who operate in the power and authority Jesus gave to us.  But how does one get to that kind of school year in the midst of the current state of education? What's missing? 

For one to experience a set apart year, there must first exists something in which God want you to be or experience a marked difference from. Do you remember how God told Pharaoh that the Children of Israel wouldn't have to deal with the upcoming plague and from that point on, He would set their land apart from Egypt? (Exodus 8: 22)  As Pharaoh looked over the plague situation, I can only image him saying, "Plague, shmague.  If they can deal with it, so can I. This is just a series of unfortunate events, it's not the work of their God. They have to endure the stench, thirst, deafening sound of croaking, personal space invasion, and the irritating itching from the lice just like everybody else!"  

As the Apostle Paul explains to Timothy, "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" and "You must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2: 1, 3 NKJV)  Another translation, The Voice, says it this way, "be empowered by the grace that is in Jesus, the Anointed One" and "As a good soldier of Jesus the Anointed, be ready to suffer with me."    The truth of having to suffer sometimes gets left out of messages because in all reality, who wants to hear that? But in this truth, God does sometimes call us to suffer (He's allowed to because He is the Potter and we are the clay) to showcase His glory to those who are otherwise blind to it. 

Educators all over this country are crying out.  While we should cry out to those who are supposed to help us i.e. school boards, unions, and local and state governments, our loudest and most direct cries
should be to only One who can deliver and shift the situation for the better.  Because if God promises you that He's got you, then He's got you. Periodt! 

However, this past year for me started out verifying just why I wanted to leave the profession. I had been crying out for years! It seemed to be just as with The Children of Israel, things kept getting worse although the truth of being set apart and delivered was woven in and throughout His word to me. 

I learned that God's purpose in setting us apart can be likened to an adventurous journey. He maps it with beautiful winding pathways of His grace and mercy. While at other times, straight roads lay before us in which  progression is conditional on our obedience to His word. 

As the school year began to move beyond those first three months, things began to shift. I was moved from a tiny classroom with no windows to a larger one with eight windows! Disruptions in instruction due to student behavior decreased dramatically.  Then He answered my hearts desire...He restored my joy in teaching!  Thank You Lord!  You see, the situations that cause frustration were still there.  The stresses of teaching were still there, but it didn't touch me like it was touching others because He was my shield, my protecting wall, my covering.  He had drawn a line in the sand!

So as you begin this school year, believe God for a set apart year so that He may get the glory.  Pray to Him that your attitude, your responses, your love, and even your blessings may cause others to marvel at the God you serve and thus seek to serve Him as well.  Endure what He ordains for you and wait for the line to be drawn! Pray that He would also set apart your students, your families, your school, and the surrounding community. Pray that He would set apart your city, your state, and our nation.

Here are some scriptures to meditate on if you're desiring to be set apart.

Set apart peace?  Read Philippians 4: 6-7

Set apart patience?  Read James 1: 2-4

Set apart placement? Read Psalm 16: 5-8

Set part promotion?  Read 1 Peter 5: 6-7

Have a blessed year!!!! 

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

Photo credits: 

https://www.stocksy.com/2268425/woman-tasting-sauce-with-spoon

https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/periodt/

https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/2-timothy-2-7

Forty Days of Prayer for Education: Day 11

Section 2: Refocus and Refresh

Join with us today and pray our prepared prayer on pages 23 and 24 from the FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EDUCATION free ebook or pray independently from our focus scripture, Luke 8: 11b, 15 NKJV and enjoy the accompanying song entitled, "The Corinthian Song" by Micah Stampley .

Afterwards, ask God to show you His promises to you in His word.  Write them down, post them, and speak these promises over your life this school year. 

GOD'S SEED

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God…But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. 

– Luke 8: 11b, 15 NKJV

To our Father who is in Heaven,

We come before You today thanking You for sowing Your promises in our lives. Your greatest promise, the Holy Spirit, works in us to lead and guide us in all of Your truth. Thank You for placing those truths in the Word of God which is breathed from Your mouth, active and sharper than any double edge sword and useful for teaching, correcting and training in righteousness.

Forgive the educators of this land for teaching without the foundation of the Word to lead us. Forgive every lesson that has led Your children astray from Your truth and has caused them to question Your existence. Forgive us for questioning Your ability, willingness and faithfulness when we had to endure a test or trial that was “too long” or “too hard” for our liking. We repent of these things and turn from them to You in praise in the name

of Jesus.

We praise You Lord for planting in our lives the promise of salvation, the promise of strength when we are weak, the promise of rest when we are burdened, the promise of Your presence, the promise of Your comfort and counseling, the promise of Your peace, the promise of victory, the promise of Your provision and for those promises being "yes" and "amen".

In this hour, we ask that you would recall these promises to mind when we face the injustices of financial disbursements within school systems, prejudices of others, faculty members who deny Your existence, increased workloads, performance based focuses, insufficient salaries, the affects of poverty on our students and their families, and the strain we put on our own health and family when we stress over these issues.

Remind us to "yet praise You" and wait for the harvest of your planted promises in our lives.

In the Name of Jesus,

-Amen

Guest Blogger: Ms. Stephanie Kitts -part 1

                                                                    PATIENCE    -part 1 of 2                                                                                                                                                                                              

Is your answer from God taking too long?

Do you have a dream or a longing you want to see fulfilled?

Do you have a promise that hasn’t come to pass yet?

 . . .  then you have need of PATIENCE.

PATIENCE – What is it? Why is it crucial? And . . .  how do you get it?

Galatians 5 :22-23  But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (or patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, (or humility), temperance (or self-control): against such there is no law.

We refer to these “fruits” as virtues that the Spirit works in our lives. Patience is a virtue just as love is a virtue, so both are necessary to develop.  In our instant society however, patience is not always seen as a virtue. The sooner the better is the way the world operates. So why should we desire to wait patiently . . Why is it so crucial?    James1:2-4 – gives us a reason  . . .

Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your

faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  

Wanting nothing . . .

                

      I once saw a little pin in a catalog   -  “Settle for more!”  That’s what James is asking us to do here. . . Settle for more.  God is promising us inner satisfaction if we forego our quick fixes.  Take a minute and ask yourself the question– “What exactly am I waiting for?  Think of the two or three issues that you need patience for.  I’m believing that God is going to give you insight as I share this word for how to develop the patience necessary for these issues, and also give you practical ideas for any actions that you are to take.

So, why do we have such a problem with patiently waiting?  Mainly, because we’re believing a bunch of lies. At a minimum, believing a lie can put a real damper on your day, but at a maximum  it could totally ruin your life. We believe lies like:

If that dream or work is going to happen at all it’s entirely dependent upon me.     - (It’s not.)    or . You can’t be really happy unless you have that person, thing or circumstance in your life right now    - (Actually, you can.)    or  . . .Your desire for that need is more important than living out God’s intended purpose and plan for your life.     -   (It isn’t.)  

If anything, in God’s economy, your destiny and purpose in life is ultimately greater than your desire for whatever . . . (fill in the blank here).  There are certain instances in the Word where this idea is apparent. Not until the person actually came into their exact position or destiny did God give them  influence, or a spouse, or divine favor, or the ability to exercise certain gifts. (Think of Joseph or Daniel.) 

Sometimes the enemy tells us . . . You know it’s totally up to you to take charge of your life and get exactly what you need to make things happen.    (It’s not- it’s up to God to take care of you and to provide what you actually need.)  He may also whisper . . .There isn’t really a divine order or timing to most things- maybe for some things but not usually, so if you  hesitate you lose out.  (Ecclesiastes says there is a time and purpose to everything under Heaven. . . not just for some things but for everything.  He may also state the ultimate lie -Waiting will ultimately result in loss   -   (It won’t.)   According to Lamentations 3:25  The Lord is good to them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.   And  Luke 8:15  But on good ground are they, which having heard the word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience.

 

We have to learn to counter the lies with the Word of God.

When you feel a little impatient take a look at a few passages in the word that reflect someone’s lack of patience . . .

1)   Genesis – 11:31  (Remember, they settled there – they should have gone on but they didn’t want to wait – they ultimately settled for less. . . )

2)  Esau handing over his birthright

There are some things in life that you won’t get without extreme patience.  You might get what others might consider “good”  but you won’t get the ultimate God has for you.  Meditate a little while on James 1:2-4 “Let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.” The end result of waiting for God’s timing  will be more than you could have ever considered, asked for or imagined. I think God said that because He endowed us with incredible imaginations and yet He can surpass even that!

                                                                   -S. Kitts © 2016

This is only the first part of a two part message by Title I Reading Specialist, Stephanie Kitts, from Dinwiddie County Public Schools in Virginia.

Please log back in tomorrow for part two of her message on Patience. Until then, please enjoy our weekly song, "Wait on the Lord" by Donnie McClurkin and Karen Clark Sheard

Guest Blogger: Dr. Shauna Mayo

Being Satisfied Where You Are

-Dr. Shauna Mayo

            Any person who has strived to be successful in their career also looks for opportunities for advancement. I am no different in that I, too, want to advance in the field of education. A few years ago, I learned a valuable lesson from God through an experience that taught me to be satisfied where I am until He tells me it’s time to move.

          About four years ago, an opening became available in my school that would have allowed me to advance into an administrative position. I thought that I was prepared for this advancement. I had completed my doctorate degree. I was knowledgeable about administrative duties because I had served in the position of the Elementary Summer School Coordinator. I had established a positive working relationship with the person whom I would be working with every day. I was READY!! Interview day came and went and I never received a phone call. I later learned that the position went to someone else who I knew well, but whom I never expected would obtain the job. When I tell you I was HURT, I cannot begin explain how I felt.

         I began to question myself. What did I say wrong in the interview? Was I too nervous? Why did that person get selected? Was it because of friendship? All of these were questions that I asked myself. When it was time to return to work for the new school year, my wounds were still open and when people would say that they knew I would get the job that just made matters even worst. It was hard for me to be positive. I wanted to be the best teacher for my students, but for a long time every day was a struggle. One day, the realization came to me that it was not my time. There was more that God wanted me to learn. It’s as if He spoke to me and said that He knew what was best for me and right now this was not it. After this revelation, I began to return to what I would call my “normal” self and began to settle into what was a good school year.

      What did I learned from this experience, you may ask. Well, I learned that it was not in my time. Things happen in God’s time no matter how badly we may want them to happen right now. It’s unfortunate that we have become a right now generation. Sometimes, it seems that not only do we lose patience with ourselves, we lose it with God.  We may obtain all of the degrees in the world and make all of the right connections, but if it’s not your time, then it’s just not your time. My reasons for seeking that position were for my own self-satisfaction and my own aspirations. I was looking for everyone to say how fast I had progressed in education, in spite of being in the field for a relatively short time. Isaiah 55:8 states “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” This tells us that what we want and what God wants for us are not the same. It also lets me know that God only wants the best for me and all of us, His children.

      What are you aspiring for today? Have you experienced disappointment? Is it for your own personal satisfaction?  Well, please know that it’s okay to want the desires of our heart. God tells us that. However, He also reminds us in Proverbs 3:6 to “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” When we put God first, He makes everything else possible. I was not doing that. I was looking at the outward appearance of what this job would bring me. We have to learn to look for the lesson in each experience in our lives, good or bad. Sure, we are going to feel disappointment at time in certain situations because we are human. But, we do not have to dwell in that disappointment. Always know that your better is coming.

        Today, I have moved to a different position and I must say that obtaining the position was not difficult. I know that for now, this is where God wants me to me because I still have some things to learn. When I have learned those lessons, He will allow me to be moved to my next place. The same holds true for you. I encourage you to be happy where you are. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Use the gifts that God has given to you to make others better when you leave them than when you found them. Be satisfied and continue to praise God in all that happens.

About the author:

Dr. Shauna Mayo is a Title I Instructional Specialist for Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Petersburg, VA. She is also a U.S. Army Veteran, retiring after 21 years of military service. She is married and has 2 daughters. Dr. Mayo attends Tabernacle Baptist Church where she is a Deaconess and an Usher. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., through Alpha Omega Zeta Chapter in Petersburg. She loves reading cozy mysteries, her family, and quiet time to mediate on God's word.

Thanks for reading this inspirational message from our guest blogger.  Please share this with a colleague who may need to hear this heartening word.   

Please enjoy the weekly song, “Born for This” by Stephanie Mills. 

Go With the Flow and Ride the Wind

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to visit the Virginia Beach Oceanfront area with my family.  Since we didn't get a chance to spend any extended time at the beach this summer, I told myself that to make up for that, I would have to spend at least one morning on the beach greeting the Lord and His sunrise. 

Unfortunately, our first morning was cool, misty, overcast and the ocean was extremely rough. So instead of going down on the beach, I hung out on our balcony.  While  drinking my coffee, I saw a seagull hovering around our ninth story balcony. 

Truth be told, when they are not trying to take your Cheetos or chase you across a parking lot to get your ice cream cone ( childhood flashback...shudder), seagulls are actually inspirational to watch.  So I sipped and watched, sipped and watched, and noticed the most wonderful things.  

On that windy, wet day, the gulls did not fight the wind, but rode it with grace and agility.  If their goal was to go forward against the wind, they just hovered until the current was conducive for their progression. They would rise higher or descend with a few flaps of their wings.  Their hovering seemed effortless although the wind blew tirelessly in their faces.  

Then, as I tilted my coffee cup back to finish it off, something zoomed off to the right!  A seagull shot past me and went on his merry way.  "Wow", I thought, that gull is going faster in that direction.  

Our lives are just like that. When we make God our rear guard (Isaiah 58:8 “Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your healing (restoration, new life) will quickly spring forth; Your righteousness will go before you [leading you to peace and prosperity], The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. success is eminent.  It is for us to let God push us forward as we shoot from faith to faith and glory to glory.

Educators, God never intended us to struggle in our own strength. Our struggle for things that are already promised to us and under His covenant are just a ridiculous as ...

When you study the Word of God, make note of His promises to YOU. As you learn these promises, your "blessed assurance" will strengthen your wings.

So, here's a promise to get you started for this week:

   Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11: 28-30 NLT

Whether you're having a wind in your face or wind in your back school year, God wants you to allow Him to lead and guide you. Trust Him with EVERYTHING.  There is nothing too insignificant or hard for Him.  Just go with the flow and ride the wind. 

The Lord is with you and you are love,

Toni

Please enjoy this song.  God is sovereign and nothing is too hard for Him.  Go with the flow and trust Him.

Images retrieved from:
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/backstage/343326-seagull-tries-save-friend-seagull-vs-eagle-2.html
http://xquatrox.deviantart.com/art/Seagull-in-the-sky-303943395