Claiming God’s Word amidst the Chaos

So I have survived the first couple of weeks back at school (albeit the first was not a full week, and the second had a public holiday smack bang in the middle), and to tell the truth I have been quite exhausted as have my kids. It has taken a bit to get back into the routine of things, and I remind myself that it always takes a couple of weeks for things to settle down, and routines to be re-entrenched. All power to you mums and dads as you too ease your kids back into the school routine, and to all of you teachers out there, I feel it with you! The coffee has gone down…the nana naps have been essential…we have kept one tiny step ahead of our students…and somehow we have shown to them the amazing value they hold with being the best version of themselves. I take my hat off to all teachers who face the classroom every day, and pray that God will give us all grace, courage and strength to show them a picture of a God who loves them.

I am privileged to work in a Christian school, so I get to live out my faith in front of my students. I relish in sharing the good times and the bad times…especially the bad times, because there are so many of them!! But through sharing the valleys, I get to show more of the amazing Grace and Love that comes from our God.

To survive school, the mountain of paper work, the demands, the sheer amount of people contact, the noise, and so forth, I find myself claiming the promises of God more and more each day. His promises are sure. They have stood the test of time. His Word is relevant, powerful and life changing.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

Here are some promises I have claimed over the last little while.

To the students I pray for…1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing” and Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. 1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” Colossians 2:2-3 is my hearts desire…”My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

For when I feel utterly exhausted…“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30). Isaiah 40:31 brings rest…”But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary; walk and not faint”. Psalm 4:8 – “In peace I will lie down and sleep,  for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” And… Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

To the mountain of paperwork…Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. And later in the chapter in verse 19…”And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

For when I feel overwhelmed… Psalm 467:1 – “God is our refuge and strength,  an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 61 has been one of my favourites…”Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” And Psalm 91:1-2…”Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

For when I don’t know what to do…James 4:7 “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Also in James 1:5, he says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Hebrews 12:2 says “..fixing our eyes on Jesus…” reminds me that when I don’t know what to do in a situation, the first thing I need to do is get down on my knees and seek Jesus.

For when I feel attacked spiritually…Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV) says “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Ephesians 6:10-12 give me great strength…“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” ~ Ephesians 6: 10-12

To the demands coming from all angles… Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Ephesians 6:10 says “I will be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power”.

When I am feeling anxious…Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. And in Matthew 6:25-27 Jesus tells us… “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

When I have really stuffed up…1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds me that “My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness”. Colossians 3:13 challenges us to make things right with each other “Bear with each other and forgive one another…forgive as the Lord forgave”.

When I feel I am not cut out to be a teacher…Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread.” And… Psalm 34:17 – “When I cry for help, the Lord hears me and rescues me from all my troubles.” Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Sometimes our calling might change, however the giver of the calling doesn’t change.

When I feel I am making no difference… “Proverbs 22:6 says “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not depart from it.” Matthew 5:13 encourages me that I am “the salt of the world…and the light of the world”. Ephesians 2:10 reminds me of my value in Jesus, and that my influence is not in vain if it is Christ ordained. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

When I am thankful…Psalm 106:1 “Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures for ever”. 1 Chronicles 16:25 “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise, He is to be feared above all gods”. Psalm 69:30 “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving”.

I pray that if you are struggling, you can claim these beautiful promises of God, who is faithful, loving and all powerful. Claim them, speak them into your life and I pray you will be encouraged.