Exodus 19:12 NLT, “Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death.”
Just like He did with the Israelites in this verse, God also sets boundaries in our lives. He knows that certain actions, situations, or people will lead us down the path of destruction. We have to trust God, and believe that He only wants what is best for us. He is all wise and all knowing, and we can not let our own desires, curiosity, or impatience cause us to disobey the Lord.
Photo by: Joël Super of Switzerland 🇨🇭
Something may seem right from our view, but God knows it is not right for us; He can see the big picture, so we must trust His wisdom. Godly well balanced boundaries are good, pray and ask God to help you create and maintain healthy boundaries in your life.
Proverbs 11:14 NASB, “Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory.”
We all need people in our lives who can help us to stay on the right track, people who will advise us according to God’s Word, people who are walking in His truth. In fact, the Bible warns us not to seek counsel from ungodly people (Psalm 1:1). Trying to live for Christ by ourselves is not the way God intended it to be, we must pray for one another and keep one another encouraged. We must also pray for those in authority, that God will help them to make wise decisions. May we all help each other to stay on that narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:14).
Matthew 14:27 NLT, “But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Photo by: Artem Beliaikin of Russia 🇷🇺
I am sure most of us are familiar with the story of Jesus walking on the water, and Him calling Peter out of the boat to join Him. You can read the whole story here if you like, Matthew 14:22-33.
However, this particular verse in the chapter, verse 27, stood out to me the last time I read it. It is a reminder that Jesus wants us to be willing to step out in faith and not be afraid because as He said, “I am here!” When we are met with new challenges or even called to pursue new ventures, He is with us, giving us what we need to obey Him and move forward. Do you trust Him to supply your every need and be with you as He promised? Our faith filled steps of obedience will lead to God’s best for our lives, and our obedience is even a blessing to those around us.
Trust Jesus today and don’t be afraid to do as He says; He is right there with you. Take courage!
Psalm 118:24 NLT, “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Rejoice and be glad! Our days may not always go perfectly and life sometimes brings unexpected circumstances our way, but since we know God is in control, we can rejoice. Nothing we encounter is a surprise to Him, and He already knows what we need, even before we ask. We are privileged to have a Heavenly Father who delights in hearing our requests and our praises, so rejoice and be glad.
Thanks big brother Matt @ Jesusluvsallfor tagging me! The kids in my city return to school tomorrow, praying all the students across the world have a safe and successful school year. 🌎 📚❤️
P.S. Back in May, when I went to get my second Covid shot, my high school home room teacher, Mr. Parker, was there volunteering. That was exciting, I hadn’t seen him since graduating from high school. 🤗
Photo by: Alexandr Podvalny of Ukraine 🇺🇦
Here is how the tag works.
1- Choose any picture you like to represent school.
2- Please share a link back to the creator of Back to School Tag- jesusluvsall.org
3- Thank the person who tagged you.
4- Answer the questions.
5- Tag whoever you like.
Here are the questions with my answers.
What is a favorite memory for you from your school days?
I liked having a 2 hour work release during my senior year. I was in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) and was working at a shoe store in the mall so was able to get off early for work.
2. What is a fun story from your school days?
Looking back, it’s funny how I pretty much ate the same thing for lunch everyday the last year or two of high school from the a la carte line. It was always pizza or chicken sandwiches, French fries, and lemonade.
3. Who is a teacher you have fond memories of?
I liked many of my teachers, but I remember my 7th grade home room teacher Mr. King seemed extra nice. He had his wife bake us brownies once. And he was actually a kindergarten teacher at my elementary school back when I was in kindergarten.
4. What classes did you like as a child?
Science and Art were interesting to me. But English was probably the subject I always did the best in.
5. What classes did you like as a university student?
Technology and Innovation because learning about the many future technology ideas was interesting. Also the World Religions class because it’s helps to have an understanding about what others believe when trying to share Jesus Christ.
6. Is there a teacher who impacted your life?
I remember the names of all my teachers, so I am guessing in some way they all made a difference even though I can’t remember a specific story right now.
7. Is there a teacher you did not like but now you do?
Mrs. Morgan in the 6th grade was considered by most to be the “mean teacher.” I don’t have any contact with her today, but I guess she was just being stern to keep us on the right track lol.
Anyone reading this who would like to share their school memories, please feel free! Remember to pray for the safety of all students. 📚✏️
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV, “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,in persecutions,in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
It is human nature for us to want to be self sufficient and in control of our lives. We think we can take care of ourselves by ourselves. But the truth is that in our own strength, we are not capable. We need God’s strength to sustain us because we fall short in many ways. Even when we go through seasons that seem like we “have it all together,” one thing can suddenly happen that reminds us we need the Lord. Life can change quickly.
Paul said that He boasted about his weaknesses, because through them, He experienced the power of Jesus Christ. We often struggle to make things happen in our own strength, but when we give our life over to Jesus, day by day, one situation at a time, we will find that through His power, we become strong and capable. Even when we experience feelings of fear or uncertainty, we can find the courage to keep progressing step by step.
Photo by: Cottonbro of Russia 🇷🇺
Do you boast about your weaknesses knowing that through them Jesus can still use you to accomplish His will? The closer I have gotten to Jesus, the more I am understanding what Paul meant. There is a freedom that comes when we begin to understand that in Christ, we don’t have to be perfect. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He lifts us up in due time (1 Peter 5:6). Apart from Him, we can do nothing; even overcoming our weaknesses requires His help. Trust Jesus to sustain you. He loves you, even when your performance is not perfect.
Hebrews 4:15 ESV, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
This verse makes me feel closer to Jesus. Knowing that He sympathizes with my weaknesses, gives me strength to repent and keep moving forward when I sin. I hope you feel the same. We often feel isolated, like no one could possibly understand what we are going through, but Jesus understands. He was tempted in the same ways we are, yet He did not sin. That is why He is the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His blood covers all of our weaknesses.
Sin tends to bring guilt, shame, and feelings of inadequacy, but we can look up to our sympathetic High Priest and find the love and forgiveness we need. Take heart! Jesus has overcome the strongholds that we struggle with. He will help us through when we ask. And as always, the love and forgiveness that He extends to us, we need to extend to ourselves and other people.
Photo: RODNAE Productions of the USA 🇺🇸
Not forgiving ourselves is a weakness. 5 years, 10 years, 25 years later and we still have not let ourselves off the hook for our past sins. We often rehearse them in our minds, and allow them to keep us from walking in the purpose God has for us. Let go of your past (and current) failures and trust God to use them for good. Those failures have caused you to gain wisdom and understanding that you can use to become a better person and help others.
Our High Priest understands your weaknesses, so receive His love and forgiveness today.
Drawing Closer to Christ 