All of you share in God's grace with me. Phil. 1:7
It's that time of year again. How do you feel about getting back to school? Are you excited, nervous, curious, or hopeful? Probably a little, or a lot, of each. With a new school year before you, there are things to be excited about, things to worry you, and the unexpected to encounter--for the better, and NOT! The year ahead can be defined by two primary words: predictable and unpredictable. There will be the usual elements of learning, social interaction, and activities; and there will be the new, unexpected surprises and challenges. Are you ready?
Whether you are excited and can't wait for the first day, or your palms are beginning to sweat at the mere thought, or somewhere in between, I'd like to give you tips on how this can be a year of grace. Grace as the Bible defines it is all about the way you can benefit from whatever you face, whether easy or difficult. And grace comes from God. He will always give you whatever you need. But if you're not looking for His grace, it's easy to miss the benefits of what God wants you to see, learn, and understand. To keep your eyes open and get the maximum potential from the grace God provides, remember this acrostic for the word GRACE.
G is for grow: Every day, whether good or bad, is an opportunity to grow. By definition, school is a place to grow in the obvious way of learning. If you learn a new math concept, you grow in your math skills; if you learn a new word, your vocabulary grows; if you learn a new scientific fact, you grow in your scientific knowledge, and so on. Try to keep in mind that education is a blessing. It's a privilege to go to school and there are children and teens all over the world who don't have the same opportunity. So always do your best to learn. You never know how learning today might be a vital part of your future. It might seem pointless, too hard, or repetitive, but it's also important. It matters. It can make a difference in your future, even if it's just to pass the class now so you can graduate in the long run. Education is a gift, so try to think of it that way when you are tired, bored, or struggling.
The school year is also an opportunity to grow in your faith. Each time you encounter something good and positive, learn to recognize those things as blessings from God. It might be a particularly good teacher you have this year, a subject or activity that interests you, or the friendships you have--either new ones or those you've been enjoying for years. Be thankful and focus as much as you can on the positive things. And each time you face a challenge, feel confused, or experience hardship, you can learn to take those things to God and receive help in your time of need. This helps you to grow in your awareness of God's presence and in your knowledge of Him--of all that He is and wants to be for you.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
R is for remember: As you face each day, each hour of the day, and each moment, remember you are never alone. God is with you. He loves you. He cares. He can help you have a more positive attitude. He can help you learn. He can help you during difficult moments. Just believing in His love and presence can bring peace to your mind and heart. Whenever you are feeling anxious, discouraged, depressed, or alone, remind yourself of the truth. You are loved. You are not alone. God knows and understands what you're going through. Seek His guidance, rest in His promise to always be with you, protect you, and help you. In Isaiah 41:10 He says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Do you believe that? Have you experienced this? If you have, trust Him to do the same this year, and if you haven't, make this year an opportunity to test His promise. When you trust Him, does He come through for you?
Grace, mercy, and peace from God...[He] will be with us in truth and love. (2 John 1:3)
A is for answer: One of the most important things to remember about God is that He will answer when you pray. Pray with expectancy. Pray with a watchful heart. Ask God for help when you need it, and ask Him for other things too: new opportunities, new friendships, guidance in your future; Ask Him to teach you things; Ask Him to reveal His glory to you; Ask Him to speak to you. And then see how He answers. In Jeremiah 33:3, He says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Doesn't that sound exciting? Don't let this be another ho-hum year, or a year full of one crisis after the next with no purpose to speak of. God has things to show you, but if you're not asking to see them, you will most likely miss them, time and time again.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
C is for care: School is a big place with a lot of kids who feel the same way you do, even if your school is relatively small. Others too are scared, lonely at times, struggle with certain subjects, feel confused...Anything you are feeling, fearing, and hoping for, others are also. How can you help? Whom can you befriend, say a kind word to, give a friendly smile, or encourage with your actions and words? Especially on the first day and first few weeks, opportunities abound for you to make a difference: to show others you care. You could make someone's first day great. And better yet, their year: whether it's your best friend or a new girl. Look for opportunities to extend grace to others--even if you don't know them, they've been hurtful to you in the past, or you don't think you have anything to give. You do. You can. And you will be blessed for it.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others...God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10)
E is for endurance: It's a long year, and some days will seem like a year. You will have hard days. You will get tired, weary, discouraged, and face things that seem unendurable. But endurance builds character. Endurance has a purpose. And you CAN do it! Jesus told the apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." And Paul said, Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me...for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10) What did he mean by this? He meant something else he is famous for saying: I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13 ) Jesus gives us the power to overcome ANYTHING. Not our limited human power, but His unlimited power. And the results of endurance are limitless as well. Unlimited possibilities: How does that sound for the year before you?
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness...make every effort to add to your faith goodness...knowledge...self-control...perseverance...kindness...and love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...if you do these things, you will never fall...(2 Peter 1:3,5-8,10)
G- grow
R- remember
A- answer
C- care
E- endurance
Make this a year of GRACE!
It's that time of year again. How do you feel about getting back to school? Are you excited, nervous, curious, or hopeful? Probably a little, or a lot, of each. With a new school year before you, there are things to be excited about, things to worry you, and the unexpected to encounter--for the better, and NOT! The year ahead can be defined by two primary words: predictable and unpredictable. There will be the usual elements of learning, social interaction, and activities; and there will be the new, unexpected surprises and challenges. Are you ready?
Whether you are excited and can't wait for the first day, or your palms are beginning to sweat at the mere thought, or somewhere in between, I'd like to give you tips on how this can be a year of grace. Grace as the Bible defines it is all about the way you can benefit from whatever you face, whether easy or difficult. And grace comes from God. He will always give you whatever you need. But if you're not looking for His grace, it's easy to miss the benefits of what God wants you to see, learn, and understand. To keep your eyes open and get the maximum potential from the grace God provides, remember this acrostic for the word GRACE.
G is for grow: Every day, whether good or bad, is an opportunity to grow. By definition, school is a place to grow in the obvious way of learning. If you learn a new math concept, you grow in your math skills; if you learn a new word, your vocabulary grows; if you learn a new scientific fact, you grow in your scientific knowledge, and so on. Try to keep in mind that education is a blessing. It's a privilege to go to school and there are children and teens all over the world who don't have the same opportunity. So always do your best to learn. You never know how learning today might be a vital part of your future. It might seem pointless, too hard, or repetitive, but it's also important. It matters. It can make a difference in your future, even if it's just to pass the class now so you can graduate in the long run. Education is a gift, so try to think of it that way when you are tired, bored, or struggling.
The school year is also an opportunity to grow in your faith. Each time you encounter something good and positive, learn to recognize those things as blessings from God. It might be a particularly good teacher you have this year, a subject or activity that interests you, or the friendships you have--either new ones or those you've been enjoying for years. Be thankful and focus as much as you can on the positive things. And each time you face a challenge, feel confused, or experience hardship, you can learn to take those things to God and receive help in your time of need. This helps you to grow in your awareness of God's presence and in your knowledge of Him--of all that He is and wants to be for you.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
R is for remember: As you face each day, each hour of the day, and each moment, remember you are never alone. God is with you. He loves you. He cares. He can help you have a more positive attitude. He can help you learn. He can help you during difficult moments. Just believing in His love and presence can bring peace to your mind and heart. Whenever you are feeling anxious, discouraged, depressed, or alone, remind yourself of the truth. You are loved. You are not alone. God knows and understands what you're going through. Seek His guidance, rest in His promise to always be with you, protect you, and help you. In Isaiah 41:10 He says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Do you believe that? Have you experienced this? If you have, trust Him to do the same this year, and if you haven't, make this year an opportunity to test His promise. When you trust Him, does He come through for you?
Grace, mercy, and peace from God...[He] will be with us in truth and love. (2 John 1:3)
A is for answer: One of the most important things to remember about God is that He will answer when you pray. Pray with expectancy. Pray with a watchful heart. Ask God for help when you need it, and ask Him for other things too: new opportunities, new friendships, guidance in your future; Ask Him to teach you things; Ask Him to reveal His glory to you; Ask Him to speak to you. And then see how He answers. In Jeremiah 33:3, He says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Doesn't that sound exciting? Don't let this be another ho-hum year, or a year full of one crisis after the next with no purpose to speak of. God has things to show you, but if you're not asking to see them, you will most likely miss them, time and time again.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
C is for care: School is a big place with a lot of kids who feel the same way you do, even if your school is relatively small. Others too are scared, lonely at times, struggle with certain subjects, feel confused...Anything you are feeling, fearing, and hoping for, others are also. How can you help? Whom can you befriend, say a kind word to, give a friendly smile, or encourage with your actions and words? Especially on the first day and first few weeks, opportunities abound for you to make a difference: to show others you care. You could make someone's first day great. And better yet, their year: whether it's your best friend or a new girl. Look for opportunities to extend grace to others--even if you don't know them, they've been hurtful to you in the past, or you don't think you have anything to give. You do. You can. And you will be blessed for it.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others...God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10)
E is for endurance: It's a long year, and some days will seem like a year. You will have hard days. You will get tired, weary, discouraged, and face things that seem unendurable. But endurance builds character. Endurance has a purpose. And you CAN do it! Jesus told the apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." And Paul said, Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me...for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10) What did he mean by this? He meant something else he is famous for saying: I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13 ) Jesus gives us the power to overcome ANYTHING. Not our limited human power, but His unlimited power. And the results of endurance are limitless as well. Unlimited possibilities: How does that sound for the year before you?
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness...make every effort to add to your faith goodness...knowledge...self-control...perseverance...kindness...and love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...if you do these things, you will never fall...(2 Peter 1:3,5-8,10)
G- grow
R- remember
A- answer
C- care
E- endurance
Make this a year of GRACE!
