Word of God, Speak!

There is a song out right now that says, "Word of God, Speak!" This morning before I read my passages in Acts and Judges, I prayed that God would open my heart and mind. I asked Him to speak to me with whatever message he wanted me to hear today.

I took a couple of ideas away from the reading today. First of all, I found it interesting that Paul was preaching in a different way when he went to Athens. This was a time of new ideas, and philosophy was highly regarded. He took a very academic approach with them. Paul had an amazing ability to reach out to so many different types of people.

In Judges, an angel of God appears to a women to tell her she will have a son. This son will be Samson. I loved that story as a kid! We would even act it out and tear down the "walls" we built out of blocks. I look forward to reading the rest of the story tomorrow.



Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Paul

Paul was an amazing man! Acts 16 recounts a time when he preached to women, was serverly beaten, sang praise to God in prison after the beating, escapes again, and continues spreading encouragement to women.

I don't know what Paul looked like, but he had a way with women. He was able to spread to word of the resurrection of Christ throughout entire cities by preaching to groups of women. These women would then teach the entire household.

It still isn't clear what my path in life will be. I am not quite 30, and hopefully, I have many years ahead. I imagine there will be plenty of darkness along the way, but I hope I can bring the Light into someone's life.


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Arguments

We disagree. It is a fact of life. We do not all have the same ideas or opinions. Paul and Barnabas had a big disagreement in Acts 15. They parted ways instead of traveling together.

God never promises that we will have dear friends who will stand by us always. He never told us that we would agree with our spouses. We know that we are in for relationship problems. Even Jesus has trouble with his relationships with others. The trick is to handle it nicely.

We are expected to treat others with respect. If their ideas don't match ours, we are free to go our separate ways. It is okay to agree to disagree.


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Honor

Today I read Acts 13 and Judges 9. Both chapters deal with acts of Honor!

Paul steps up to the plate in Acts 13. He moves into his life's role by pushing the Word of God and news of Jesus's resurrection to the Jews. Despite the outcome, he acts with honor.

In Judges, the people just won't listen to God. One man has the guts to stand up and ask the people if they are acting honorably or not. God brings a curse upon them to punish their dishonor.

I hope you act with honor this week!

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Honor and Paul

I apologize. I didn't realize until this morning that my post yesterday didn't actually post.

I wrote about honor. I will post it shortly after this one.

Today I read more of Acts and stumbled across a passage where Paul is stoned and left for dead. Afterward, he gets up and begins preaching again in a different city. That takes perseverance! I hope I have that kind of drive to accomplish God's goals for me and my life!


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Back to Their Old Ways

Have you ever had a friend who would confess their sins on Sunday and pretend to be the best Christian, and then Monday through Saturday lived a different life?

It is sad when our friends slip back into their old ways. We know that slipping could cost them their happiness in eternity.

The Israelites did that again after Gideon died. They immediately began prostituting themselves again.

I hope you have the chance to become a new spirit in God and not slip back into the old ways.


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Army of Few

The past 3 months have been littered with tragedy for us. We have lost great friends. We faced the fears of our own son's medical problems during a 3 day hospitalization. We are watching friends battle through divorces, cancer, and loss. One of my dear friends delivered a child who was still born a little more than 24 hours ago. All mothers shudder at the thought. Those of us who are currently pregnant, drop to our knees and pray it won't be us too.

Throughout all of this, a girl I teach with said yesterday that it seemed like the enemy was trying to break into our lives and divide us. We can't possibly support everyone and help with everything they need. We are stretched too thin.

In Judges 7, God narrows Gideon's army down to only 300. They are able to defeat the enemy. We learn that no matter how small the army, God will prevail.

I will remind my friend of that today!

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Asking for Proof

We know that we shouldn't test God. We also know we shouldn't expect God to do things our way. Gideon, however, asks God for proof before following every step of God's plan for his life. It worked! God presented proof that He was supoprting Gideon before Gideon ruffled the feathers of everyone around him.

I find myself asking for proof sometimes, too. I feel the need for a sign to know I am on the right track. I don't think there is anything wrong with asking God to speak to us or asking God to open our minds and hearts to His voice. Sometimes we need obvious guidance to take us through the steps.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Stress

Sick kids, cranky husband, lack of sleep, pressure from work, money problems.... The list goes on and on. We are under stress. Everyday we fight to keep our heads above water.

Saul was on a mission. His job was to arrest and persecute the Christians. Then God put some stress on Saul! He took his sight, changed his career, and didn't accept argument.

God has it all under control. We will be okay. He won't let us drown if we keep our eyes on him.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Leaders Among the Crowd

Acts 8 tells us of men who stood by their beliefs in hard times. Persecution was everywhere, yet they taught Jesus's message whenever they could. God led Phillip to teach a stranger on the road. Instead of being afraid, Phillip obeyed and baptized the man. He was able to share Jesus with a stranger.

Deborah, in Judges 4, led an army into battle. She wasn't afraid to lose her life for God.

I don't believe that God is asking me to die for Him, but I do believe He is asking me to lay my life plans aside and live for Him. I should be able to pour out my life and live each day according to His Word.



Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

The Stoning of Stephen

Matthew West has a song called Strong Enough. It says basically that God must think I am strong because of all he is putting me through. Then he asks God's Hands of Mercy to cover him and carry him through because he isn't strong enough.

I am reminded of that song when I read Acts 6-7. Stephen, who is critized for being filled with the Holy Spirit, is stoned to death. Just before the stoning begins, he looks up at Heaven and sees Jesus looking down on him. I wonder if he considered his own strength. I wonder if he asked God to be strong enough for him.

There are days when we wonder if we are strong enough. Allow God to be strong enough for you today!

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

For Or Against

While reading Acts 5 this morning, I started thinking about how everything we do is either for or against God. The Disciples are preaching to the people in Jesus's name after the Resurrection and the local government doesn't like it. The only response the disciples can give is that they are doing God's will. If we are certain that our actions are God's will, how can we be wrong????

I pray today that you follow God's plan and will for your day!

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Home

A week ago I posted to this blog not considering the events that were about to unfold in our life. Wendesday night, my son became sick. He ran a fever and had seizures throughout the night. After making an appointment with a pediatric neurologist, we thought it was an isolated event. Saturday, he began to seize again. He was then admitted into the hospital where we stayed by his side until yesterday afternoon.

This morning I read the end of the Book of Joshua. The verse that says, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," is powerful! We chose hope throughout the last week. We faced the very real possibility that our son could have the same type of brain tumor is father had as a child. Fortunately, we are home with a diagnosis of a seizure disorder that is treated daily with anitconvulants. It is odd that we are thankful for a seizure disorder, but the alternative is much worse.

This week, we served the Lord. We praised him for our diagnosis. We prayed prayers of hope. We put our trust in Him.

I pray you turn to God when life gets tough!

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Today, I began reading the book of Acts. Every time I read Acts 2, I am amazed by the first coming of the Holy Spirit. I am constantly thankful for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. It is my guiding force that carries me through all of my decisions. I pray you feel the Holy Spirit in your life today!


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Love and Respect: Session Four?

I am not sure anymore which session number to put. My husband and I discuss the love and respect needs in our marriage so much now, that I feel like I should put session 10 or 12.

I have learned that the times I show the most disrespect towards my husband are the times when I am angry. When I am angry, I want love from him. The new strategy: When angry, try to approach him with a respectful tone and respectful words, but still tell him how I feel. The hope is that he will return love to me and issues can be solved.

Wish me luck!

On a different note, I finished Psalms today. Acts begins tomorrow. About to finish Joshua.

Happy Monday friends!


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.