Love Our Kids Devo for Teachers – Grace Abounding

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV 1984)

Are you abounding in grace? I can assure you that unless I am relying on the Lord, I am not. An attitude of grace (which walks very close to humility) is not one of my natural tendencies.

But “God is able”! These one of the greatest phrases in the Bible. God is able to make grace ABOUND.

I know as you work with kids grace is an absolute necessity. As you work with parents and co-workers who look at life very differently from you – grace is an absolute necessity.

I pray that today we will avail ourselves of the grace that God can make abound to us if we will only let Him.

Love Our Kids – Back to School

I hope you have had a good summer. I’m sure it’s hard for you to believe it is almost over.

I pray that as you prepare your classroom that you
1. Will spend time praying over each desk/table/seat.
2. Will ask The Lord to show you what each child needs from you – both scholastically and as a gift from him.
3. Will ask The Lord for a servant’s heart that will serve each child with the same attitude.
4. Will ask The Lord for special grace for those students who seem like trouble-makers, but who may just be crying out for basic needs his parents aren’t providing.

You have a daunting task, but a powerful ministry opportunity.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.” Philippians 4:19

Love Our Kids: Seeking Good Judgment and Knowledge

Psalm 119:66    I believe in Your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.

What a prayer! I’ve been a believer for over 40 years and yet the good judgment and knowledge is very hard sometimes. My own nature is speak first and think later, which still gets me into trouble after years of being aware of the problem and working to get better.

As one who works with kids each day, it must be humbling to realize that these kids are looking to YOU to teach them good judgment and knowledge. I’m sure there are times when it seems like they want to learn anything else. And yet most of them crave what is right.

I pray that you will be faithful to seek and model good judgment and knowledge before your students, your co-workers and your family. Clearly, this is a biblical request, so as you pray for it, you can guarantee it will be answered.

Love Our Kids – Devo for Teachers – No Pity Party

Here we are – the third week back at school after a great break.  How’s it going? Are you persevering in the Lord’s strength or dragging along in your own?

Are you bogged down with an attitude or situation that has created a pity party in you?  I know when I have a pity party, it can affect more than my attitude.  I see myself cutting corners in my work or with my family or in my church.  Not giving 100%. God’s word assures us that anything we go through are not uncommon.

So how can it be that sometimes it seems like it’s just me that’s having so many problems?  I find in my life that it is because that is when I am looking only at myself rather than looking to the Lord.  EVERY time I take my eyes off me my attitude and my behavior improve. …

I pray today that you will be encouraged by this verse.  If you’re not in a seasons of trial, maybe you can use it to encourage someone else.  If you are in a season of trial, I pray that you will seek the Lord’s guidance for the way out. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.

“And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”  1 Cor 10:13

Love Our Kids – Devo for Teachers – 11/16/11

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

I was glad to see this verse come up today in my 31-day challenge because it is one of my FAVORITES. But as I did some study on it, I realized that when he rejoices over us, it will be with a shout or song of victory. How easy it is as a child of God to forget that we are on the winning side!

So today, as you work with the children God has carefully planned for your care, are there any that you’ve “given up” on? Have you decided that it’s just impossible to make a difference, so you don’t spend any energy with him/her? Or maybe you’ve given up on a parent.

I pray that you will recognize the victory that you have as a child of God and pursue that with the child(ren), parents or co-workers that just seem impossible. Ask God for wisdom in how to approach him or her. He knows what will make a difference.