Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Lent - Day 12 - Work is Joy


Dear Christian educators,

Work! It's not a four-letter word in the sense that some may try to degrade it. Instead, work is worship. Isn't it encouraging to know that God loves to work with His hands. He created it all! Your work is worship, my brothers and sisters. Going to work to earn a pay check is a job. Going to work on purpose on mission is worship. Each day that we are purpose-driven, mission-focused and spirit-led on our campuses, we are doing the work of God. Be graciously legal dear friends, for there is no law against the Fruit of the Spirit.


Each day during this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!


Day 12

Psalm 92:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
    at the works of your hands I sing for joy.




How do we help our students understand that work is grand? How can we instill the desire to work? Too often, our students are robbed of the benefits and blessings of work because they do not treasure it. Of course, we can not teach them that their work is worship in the public schools, but we can live ourselves like work is the most important way we can worship while on the job. Work worship includes: being on time, being approachable, being attentive to their needs, being merciful and kind and exuding the love of God for His image-bearers. What a privilege we carry.



Dear Lord,


Thank you for Your work, the work of Your hands! You own the cattle on a thousand hills. Everything in the heavens and earth are Yours, O Lord and this is Your kingdom. You have made me so glad by Your works. When I look around I see the work of Your hands everywhere I go. Help me to bust out in spontaneous songs of joy when I see the works of Your Hand. Lord, You are so beautiful. Everything You have made has Your stamp of beauty upon it. What a gift You are to us. Bless this day, Your way. We ask in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.


Prayerfully yours,
K 

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love


2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, March 9, 2020

Lent - Day 11 - Shout for Joy


Dear Christian educators,

How beautiful are shouts of joy! I think Lent reminds us not only to try to take in what our Savior has done for us, but to also shout for joy that He is such a marvelous Savior. When do you feel the most joy? Is it a certain time of day? Is it because of people that surround you? Is it when your lesson pops and the kids really get it? Is it when you hear of someone's healing? Perhaps it's a little of all of the above. We certainly have a lot to be joyful for each and every day. Let's sing a song of praise today with a joyful voice (even if it's only joyful noise!)
Each day during this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!


Day 11

Psalm 71:23 English Standard Version (ESV)

23 My lips will shout for joy,
    when I sing praises to you;
    my soul also, which you have redeemed.




Shouts for joy happen in school all the time when you think about it. When the teacher gives the students a break from homework for the night, the students shout for joy. When the soccer, football, basketball, or favorite team makes it to the championship, there are shouts for joy. When Spring Break finally arrives, there are shouts for joy. How can we keep that kind of joy in the day to day maintenance of a classroom or school community? It's not simple, but a daily praise to our King for all He has done for us in the past, in the present and the future to come will help. Shout for joy in the privacy of your classroom at the end of the day for the help He has given you in success or even failure. He will never leave you nor forsake you.






Dear Lord,


I want my lips to shout for joy! You are Marvelous! You are Wonderful! You bring me joy each day. Thank You Lord. I will sing praises to You each day. 
Praise God through Whom all blessings flow. 
Praise Him you creatures here below. 
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. 
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Lord, my soul is full of grateful thanks for You have redeemed by soul. Thank You for showing me my Savior. I love you and need you in every aspect of my day. I ask in the beautiful Name of Jesus. Amen.


Prayerfully yours,
K 

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love


2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Lent - Day 10 - The Joy of Your Salvation


Dear Christian educators,

Some of you are on Spring Break now or in a few weeks. Others will have your break during Easter. What a great time to get into Psalm 51. This incredible Psalm by David will bring strength and joy for the last quarter of the year. From verses 10-12:

 "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." Consider praying this whole Psalm for your wholeness for the rest of the school year.

Each day during this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!


Day 10

Psalm 51:12 English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.




In our school environments, we don't see enough joy. Younger children exude a more natural joy as they play and laugh. Jesus taught us that we must be like little children if we are to enter the kingdom. How can we intentionally be more joyful? Joy comes from within and is shown on our persona. Others on our campus are drawn to us when we are joyful. As a Fruit of the Spirit, joy is from God. When we know Him, desire Him, talk to Him, sing praises to Him we have His joy. If your environment needs more joy, sing more, praise more, give thanks more and serve more. Joy is not for us, but to bless those we have contact with each day at school. May the Lord restore the joy of your salvation. Take a trip down to a kindergarten class during planning one day to experience some joy!






Dear Lord,


Forgive us Lord in those times when we don't display joy. Restore to us the joy of our salvation. There is no greater gift than the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord. Bring His gift to our remembrance when we are feeling low or anxious. Uphold us with Your willing spirit that we may live a life of joy, especially on the tough days, particularly during the sicknesses we or our loved ones experience. Help us Lord to display the Fruit of the Spirit because we are unable on our own. Send Your willing spirit today. We love you and petition You for joy in the Gracious Name of Jesus. Amen.



Prayerfully yours,
K 

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love


2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, March 6, 2020

Lent - Day 9 - Joy Comes in the Morning

Dear Christian educators,

We are looking at the Fruit of the Spirit during Lent, my friends and have examined 8 days of love. Let's try  JOY for the next five days. Joy is truly spiritual. It's not the same as happiness, but joy often exudes happiness. Our joy comes from the Lord and we see it with each new day. A new sunrise, a new start, and new set of ideas and dreams. He is truly gracious to us and we need to remember and praise Him with great joy.

Each day during this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!
Day 9

Psalm 30:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.


What does joy like like in the classroom? I wrote a blog post, "Joy in the Classroom," almost 7 years ago if you care to read it. Here is an excerpt:
As I looked up joy in the Word, I was delighted to see hundreds of times this powerful word was used, but was most impressed with the shouts of joy given by God’s people for what He had done for them. Let us be teachers of the Book and have shouts of joy in our hearts for His incredible gift of becoming a educator.  Be encouraged to purposefully plan how you can give joy this year and displaying this powerful fruit in your life.  These are a few of my favorite verses of joy.

Psalm 16:11
- You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

John 15:11
- I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Romans 12:12
 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


Psalm 30:5
- For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.







Dear Lord,

Psalm 30:5 is a beautiful reminder of Your love for us. We don't often talk about Your anger, but we do know that sin is the cause. We are so grateful that You anger is but for a moment and Your favor is for a lifetime. Thank You for your favor Lord! In those difficult times, we may cry ourselves to sleep, but joy comes in the morning when you grant us a new day, refresh us, bless us with solutions, and show us the way. Thank You for each new day Lord. It is a gift. We praise You in the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.



Prayerfully yours,
K 

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love


2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Lent -Day 8 - Love with All Your Mind

Dear Christian educators,

In our profession of educating young minds, we know we have great influence and great responsibility. Christian educators in the public schools do well to know their religious freedoms and guidelines. If you do not know where you boundaries are in the public schools, know this: you do not leave your rights are the schoolhouse door. You ALWAYS want to be graceful and legal in how you conduct yourself and be a blessing to others. Loving God with your whole mind also includes learning. To learn more about your religious guidelines and freedoms while serving as a public school servant, please visit the Christian Educators website at www.ceai.org Love is the greatest of all gifts we can give to others and knowing how to love with our whole mind is very important. 
Each day during this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!

Day 8

Luke 10:27 English Standard Version (ESV)

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”


Educators are always learning. There are new strategies, curriculum, methods and technology to keep our minds fully engaged. Learning about our students' learning styles, exceptionalities and personalities also keeps us on our toes. The greatest gift we can give ourselves as learners is to read, meditate, memorize and apply Gods' Word. Knowing the Word is one thing, but living the Word requires our whole mind. Did you know you can have a Bible on your desk as an inspiration to read when you are on your own time? Try to read God's Word during your private times on your campus because loving the Lord with your whole heart, soul, strength and mind is an investment. May you be blessed mighty for investing in His Word.






Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving us creative minds. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be creative at school. As we use our minds, we are glorifying You when we exude the Fruit of the Spirit. Thank You Lord for teaching us to drink in more of Your Word. It seems, Lord, that the more we read the more we want. Why is it Lord, that there are times that we read Scripture that we have read before and it seems that we are reading it for the first time? You are amazing. Lord, I pray that my brothers and sisters grow in the their love for You in mind, body and soul. We love You and ask for Your mercy and grace each school day. Thank You in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.



Prayerfully yours,
K 

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love


2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.




Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school. 
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Lent - Day 7 - Love With All Your Heart


Dear Christian educators,

One week ago was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. This season is an optional form of sacrifice for many, but we are trying to take a proactive approach to Lent diving into the Fruit of the Spirt. Today's verse comes from the mouth of Jesus Himself when He was challenged to tell the most important commandment. Loving the Lord with all our heart, and all our soul and all our mind and all our strength is ALL of us. I am so thankful for a relationship with the One Who loves me and helps me to love Him with ALL my being each new day. Why not tell Him you love when you arrive at school and when you leave school each day?



During this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!
Day 7

Mark 12:30 English Standard Version (ESV)

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’


 God has blessed you with a high calling and though it is not always possible to say you love teaching with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, He gives you the ability to experience glimpses of that kind of love. Who in the world works 50+ hours a week, taking more work home than what actually can be completed? That's some kind of love. Who in the world gives a student lunch money or their own lunch when a little one is hungry? That's some kind of love. Who in the world shows mercy to the unmerciful and grace to the unlikeable? That's some kind of love. You have a high calling, dear Christian educator, fueled by the God Who gives you purpose. Let's love Him with ALL we have in school and out of school.







Dear Lord,

Do we really understand what it means to love You with all our heart? Sometimes Lord, our hearts are so full because of Your majesty displayed in the beauty of the earth. Other times You convict us to help those in need, particularly our students. Any act of kindness is simply our hot-hearted love for You being displayed for others to see You. May You receive all the glory. Lord, teach us to love LARGE with all we have. Help us also Lord to love our students and colleagues with ALL we've got. It's impossible for us on our own, but with You everything is possible. We come before in the confidence of our merciful Lord Jesus. Amen.



Prayerfully yours,
K 

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love


2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.




Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school. 
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Lent - Day 6 - The Steadfast Love of the Lord

Dear Christian educators,

The steadfast love of the Lord extends to the heavens! What a mighty and merciful God we serve. Isn't it incredible that He loves us? Be empowered Christian educator to love your students and colleagues because He loved us first. It's a miracle, isn't it? During Lent, it's marvelous to reflect and to praise Him. David certainly knew how to do that. What a model for us. When grades are due and it seems overwhelming, praise Him. When students are not working and we don't know what to do, praise Him. When it doesn't seem possible to get it all done, praise Him because with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Each day during this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!




Day 6

Psalm 36:5-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
    your judgments are like the great deep;
    man and beast you save, O Lord.







What does the steadfast love of the Lord have to do with the classroom or our school communities? When we are mindful of His love, faithfulness and righteousness, we get our minds off our worries and are better able to serve our students and colleagues. In the busyness of the day, it's next to impossible to think of anything else but what is at hand, but in those times of joy and exasperation, it is wonderful to pause and meditate on His steadfast love. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is always with you even when the pressures are mounting. Call upon Him for help. Invite Him into your situation at school and taste and see that the Lord is good. There truly is a peace that passes all understanding in the steadfast love of the Lord.
Dear Lord,

We bless you Lord for Your steadfast love. Help us to understand Your love more. David said that Your love extends to the heavens and Your faithfulness to the clouds. Help us to look up Lord to be reminded of You when we are overwhelmed. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains. What could be more majestic? Our momentary fears and troubles pale in comparison to the eternity You have place in our hearts. Thank You Awesome God. Your judgments are like the the great deep, unfathomable to us, yet we trust You Lord for You want us to succeed. You save man and beast! Precious Lord, thank You for being with every educator and every student this day. Help them to look up to be reminded of Your never ending steadfast love. We thank You and pray in the excellent name of Jesus. Amen.



Prayerfully yours,
K 

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love


2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.




Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school. 
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)