This is the question I ask my students on the second day of school. This is their first assignment. A simple, four-letter question.
I make it very clear that it may be the hardest writing assignment of the year.
Before getting started, I explain how they CANNOT answer the question:
They cannot use roles or positions.
They cannot use achievements or activities.
They cannot use something that can be taken away from them.
Then, I give them the why:
If they don’t know who they are, they’ll become who everyone else is or who others expect them to be.
If they place their identity in temporary positions, activities, or achievements, they’ll be lost when these fade or fail them.
This isn’t a spiritual class exercise, but an assignment to allow them to think deeply, reflect, and define themselves without the noise around them.
If stuck, I tell them to start on the surface and I give them an example: I’m a teacher…but why? Because I love students…but why? Because I see their potential…but why? Because God pulled potential out of me.
There it is. This assignment always brings me back to Him.
Teaching can fail me. It fails me daily. But the One Who created me, the One who defines me, the One Who makes me me NEVER WILL.
Sports, activities, friends, relationships will fail. Achievements, awards, championships will fade. Our husbands, kids, and own selves will falter.
But at the end of the day, One name remains.
And that is Who we need to attach our identity and individuality to.
Maybe the question I should ask to you is, “Who makes you you?”
The enemy is after your identity. He is after your individuality. Cling to Your Creator. Be identified by truth.
What makes you you?
The truth that a KING, a SAVIOR, our GOD handmade you in your mother’s womb, handpicked you for His Kingdom, and single-handedly saved you for eternity.
Recently I sent my friend a link and message that read “I follow this girl, she has some really great recipes”
Later I was thinking… 10-15 years ago, that sentence would have made no sense. I followed a girl???? Where!?!? Who is the girl? Why was I following her? How did I get her recipes!?!
But my friend didn’t ask me any of those questions. She immediately knew that the girl in the link was an influencer and she had cooking videos on her social media pages. She didn’t even have to click the link to understand the term “follow” has a different meaning in our current time.
Well that made me think about *following* 2000+ years ago. When Jesus said in Matthew 4:19 “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Or later in 9:9, He told Matthew the tax collector,…”Follow me” and he left his booth and did just that.
When Jesus told these men to follow Him, it wasn’t the passive “like, subscribe and follow”, He expected them to leave behind their livelihoods and physically follow Him.
It wasn’t a simple matter of looking at his recipe collection online. It was a commitment that literally cost them their lives. They left their homes, jobs, and families to actively support and participate in His ministry. And they were expected to carry it on, after he was crucified, resurrected and ascended.
We are called to follow Him today. We need to make sure it’s more than a casual click or like. We must surrender to Him. We probably won’t be asked to give up our lives in America, but we must be ready to do that if it were required.
Later in the book of Matthew (28:19-20) we, like those first century followers, are instructed to carry on and spread that simple gospel message…and proclaim his death, burial and resurrection…creating more followers. Not of ourselves but of HIM!!!
That is the most important “follow” we will ever do.
God sent His one and only Son, and He is coming again.
There is POWER in the name of JESUS. & I hope that truth carries you among your days. There is hope that He is returning, there is hope that He is working within our lives RIGHT NOW. Do you believe it?
The topic of Psalm 23 was being discussed at dinner one evening – the comforting knowledge that God is our shepherd. With Him, I have all that I need. As I personally was tossing and turning on thoughts, I was so kindly reminded that with Him, I have all that I need. Psalm 23 is THE reminder of who He is and what He does. Maybe today you just might need the reminder. I’m not sure, but I sure do need it.
He is a Shepherd.
He gives rest.
He leads.
He renews strength.
He guides.
He protects.
He comforts.
He prepares us.
He honors us.
He pursues us.
And you know what? The more I think about it…we really can’t do anything for ourselves. He designed us to need Him. His scripture is living proof of the wholeness He offers us.
The loving extension we have to accept. With Him, I have all that I need. I can’t provide the comfort, protection, guidance, or anything my soul longs for. We are designed to be active children of the King.
I challenge you today to surrender yourself. Surrender your own ideas that you think will provide comfort, rest, and guidance for yourself. I challenge you to sit. Sit in the realness and reality that He is our shepherd. There is power in His name. The name of Jesus.
“Surely your goodness & unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
Have you ever felt so panicked and fearful that you just lose all sense of reality? Maybe you feel like you’re backed into a corner and overwhelmed with the stresses of this life. I mean the world we live in is so full of darkness and definitely enough to keep us in a state of panic. When we find ourselves in moments like these we need to put our confidence back in God. He will help us and make a way of escape.
Think back to the Israelites. Pharaoh finally sets them free and instead of God leading them on the shortest path to the Promised Land, He takes them around the desert road toward the Red Sea. This was because God knew that if they went the shorter route they would end up having to fight the Philistines. So already we can see how God takes care of the Israelites. He also gives them a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire so they would know that God is with them both throughout the day and the night. He knows the outcome and He is protecting them from danger. Just like He knows what is best for us. When our journeys seem to be longer than expected, this is proof that it is all in God’s plan, to keep us safe and protected. He wants the best for us and He knows the end from the beginning. We don’t have a pillar of cloud or fire to directly lead us today, but we do have His Holy Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us day and night. Then God tells Moses to tell the Israelites to turn back and camp between Migdol and the sea. God said this would cause Pharaoh to think the Israelites are wandering around in confusion. And as He had done before, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in order to get him to pursue the Israelites. Why in the world would God want Pharaoh to pursue the Israelites now that they are finally free? God answers by saying,
“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for Myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am Lord.” Exodus 14:4
As Pharaoh approaches, guess what the Israelites do? They panic!!! They cry out to God and ask Moses what he has done to them. They are at the point that they think they are better off serving the Egyptians rather than dying in the desert. They are trapped between the Egyptian army and the sea. There is no where to go. They have lost all faith and are only focused on the danger coming right towards them. Don’t we also feel this way at times? Some situations we face really make us feel trapped like we have no way out. We forget what the Lord has done for us in the past. We panic, lose all focus on God and turn our focus to our fears, doubts, and anxiety. We feel like we are backed into our own Red Sea with nowhere to run while our problems attack us. We see no way out. But there is hope. Moses encourages the Israelites to have faith in God and He will rescue them. Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” Exodus 14:13-14
We know the story goes on to show that God instructs Moses to raise his staff and God parts the Red Sea. The Israelites are able to walk on dry ground with walls of water on each side of them. Then when they are safe God instructs Moses to raise his staff again so the waters flow over the Egyptian army and not one of them survives. This miraculous story should be enough to remind us of what God can do. All it takes is one spoken word from God, there is nothing He can’t do.
When you feel like you have no way of escape, remember God’s faithfulness. God allowed this to happen to the Israelites so even today we can look back and see what He can do. He may take you on the longer route, but rest assured He has a purpose. His will and ways are so much higher. When troubles come our way we need to remember to focus on God’s word, to stay in fervent prayer, and to praise Him. He is faithful and He will part the sea you are facing.
My husband did something super sweet for the grown-up kid, and it for sure deserves its very own post.
He’s been preparing for this moment since the ultrasound tech said, “It’s a boy.” This man has been storing up tools for Maverick in our garage without the boy ever having a clue. He has [had] two separate chests out there that basically mirrored one another with what they held. Quite impressive, really. A few days before he moved out the husband gifted him with this, and it was a pretty special moment.
So. Many. Tools.
The thought behind this – when something goes wrong, and it will, Frank wants Maverick to be prepared to handle it. He wants him to be able to open up his tool chest and grab exactly what he needs when he needs it.
Such a good dad.
Makes me think of our Heavenly Father. Not only did Jesus go to prepare a place for us, but he is also steadily preparing us for when something goes wrong – because it will. He is daily giving us the tools that we need to be able to handle what this life throws at us. He wants us to be ready. He wants us to be able to walk over to our tool chest, grab what we need, and get to fixing.
He is giving us the tools. The specific tools that we need to fix specific things. He is looking out for us. He loves us and cares about our well-being.
What a good, good Father. A Father who loves His children more than anything. A Father who wants His children to be prepared. A Father who is storing up treasures in Heaven for us as well.
That’s love, y’all. That’s love.
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. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Dissatisfaction is such a nasty thing. It strips us of the joy given freely by Jesus Christ and robs us of the opportunity to be effective for the Kingdom. We can get so swallowed up in our current circumstances that they become our identity. We can’t always change the things going on in our lives, but we can change our own hearts and attitudes.
Sometimes, being a work-from-home mom of two (3 years and 1 year), I feel like I’m running a full circus, juggling three balls with a hula hoop around my neck! It gets wild, and at times, it’s easy to let my circumstances weigh me down. But every day, I have a choice. And let me tell you (even though you already know), it’s not always easy to choose a good attitude! He calls us to a higher standard than the world (preaching to myself here!). I’m so thankful we have the Word and the discernment of the Holy Spirit to navigate us through our lives.
Psalms 17:15 says, “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” Jesus is all that we need. We can be satisfied in every season because He is who He says He is. He is love, and with true agape love, we can be kind, patient, put away envy, surrender our own ways, renew our joy, and bear all things!
It’s August, which means it’s back to school time. For some people that brings great joy, and for others it brings great headaches. But take heart, because summer is coming around again eventually.
In all seriousness though, even in the midst of the chaos of early morning alarms, packing lunches, drop off & pick up lines, and all of the other things, there is Jesus!
What great news this is!
Y’all, this month is a big month. We have a great opportunity to show Jesus to so many people.
For teachers, show Jesus.
For homeschool moms, show Jesus.
For students, show Jesus.
For administration, show Jesus.
For cafeteria staff, show Jesus.
In any grade at any school, there is gonna be a kid that has never heard the word Jesus. So speak it to them.
Now I know this can be a scary concept to some people. But really, you don’t always have to use words to share the Gospel with someone. It mainly takes faith, and your actions, and then maybe a few words after that.
I encourage you to challenge yourself this school year. Share the Gospel with one person a week. And then maybe two people a week. Keep going, and eventually it’ll be everyday. If everyone reading this takes this challenge, imagine how many people will receive hope by the start of the summer!!!
So start now! Go show Jesus, and go love on those kiddos this school year.
“Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel.”
Numbers 14:5
I watched a reel the other day about how in the book of Numbers Moses would fall on his face before the Lord when confronted by the Israelites. He didn’t clap back, argue or stomp off in a huff. His fight or flight response was to fall on his face before the Lord.
It made me think of fainting goats. (⬆️If you aren’t aware please, please google and watch some videos.)
Multiple times in Numbers (14:5, 16:22,16:44 and 20:6) Moses would just fall out in prayer and then God would give him clear direction. Moses would obey and then they would carry on…..until he didn’t…..until Moses struck the rock in anger and frustration.
My first take away from this reel was to pray to be a fainting goat. To be diligent and just fall out when confronted with unpleasantness. That is a good prayer, but I kept digging.
In Numbers 20:8-12 is the story of Moses’ downfall. He fell on his face, the Lord gave clear direction, but Moses did not follow the direction completely or treat God as holy and it cost him the promised land. He let anger and frustration win the day. How many times do I??
Being a fainting goat and going straight to the Lord is step one. Listening to what God says and being completely obedient is what makes us finish strong. Goats faint out of fear, but we need to faint out of faith and then put that faith in action.
The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Our greatest directive…Go and make disciples. There is nothing more important than this. The Gospel, the good news of Jesus, is something we are supposed to share, not keep to ourselves.
Each summer, I have about 3 weeks off. Normally, I spend two of the three weeks at two different camps. The first week is spent at Super Summer Evangelism Camp. I attended this camp as a student which led to meeting my husband there. We have served on the Exec Staff for this camp since 2016. Our job is to teach students to know and share the Gospel. This year, I had an added bonus of being asked to teach a rally session for the camp about the Holy Spirit’s role in evangelism. My friend and leader, Jason Richards, called me in March to ask me to consider doing this. I agreed without hesitation.
When you start LOOKING for the Holy Spirit, He shows up everywhere. He’s always there, but we often get so distracted by our own lives that we don’t stop to pay attention.
The great commission is a directive, but it holds a promise, too. He will be with us ALWAYS. He doesn’t send us to do this on our own. The Holy Spirit provides His power, His opportunities, and His words.
I ask you, as I asked the students that day:
What keeps you from sharing the Gospel? What’s your fear? Or hangup?
Is it fear?
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
You are EMPOWERED by the King of kings!
Is it not knowing what to say?
“Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.”
Luke 12:11-12
The Holy Spirit will GIVE you what you should say.
Is it not knowing to whom or when to speak?
In Acts 8, we see that the Holy Spirit even creates the opportunities for you. In the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, the Lord told Him where to go and what to do.
26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.[d]) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this:
He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb is silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who will describe his generation?
For his life is taken from the earth.[e]
34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” [f] 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing.
The Lord has provided for everything that we could possibly need in order to be empowered to share the Gospel. He has gone before you. He is present with you, and He will continue to work once you’ve completed your task. We don’t have to rely on our own wisdom or strength to share the Gospel. We have the Holy Spirit, and He is everything we need.
Rays of Sunshine inc 