Happy Fall! The Lord's appointed seasons are transitioning before our eyes. The beauty of fall is breaking all around us. Today we are showing up in your inbox to provide an extra dose of biblical encouragement. The seasons in life are sure to change, and yet our God does not change! We are here to remind you of His magnificent gifts of wisdom, strength, joy, and peace. They are all available right now to help you enjoy each new day and stand firm in your calling to disciple and educate your family.
Our very generous God certainly offers us more gifts than listed here. We trust this article will inspire you to offer praise and thanksgiving for these and the other ways He promises to care for His people.
Wisdom
"And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding."
Daniel 2:21
What a gift! He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding! You are already following God's wisdom to educate your children with curriculum that reveals Jehovah God's unrivaled power and excellence throughout each subject. This verse in Daniel reminds us to keep asking for His wisdom and knowledge. James 1:5 promises He will give it liberally! So, if you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or weary, let this fall season be a time for seeking more of God's wisdom for your family.
Strength
As Christians we are faced with formidable foes in our culture. In Ephesians 6, we are instructed to be strong in the Lord and to stand wearing the armor of God. Proverbs 29 reminds us that people perish for lack of vision (God's revelatory Word). We applaud your revelation of Deuteronomy 11 to teach your children about God diligently through home education.
Remembering why you chose to homeschool can strength you to fight the battles you are facing or could face in the future. At Master Books we continually encourage you to "Remember Your Why." Recall why you made this choice so you can withstand the difficult seasons and temptations to give up.
Author of Education: Does God Have an Opinion? and many other excellent resources, Israel Wayne encourages families to have a family mission statement to use as a guide for every decision, especially education. He talks about this and 4 other ways to have a successful homeschool family in this video.
Free Printable
To help you and your family "Remember Your Why," we are offering you a free printable to help you write your mission statement and your homeschool goals for this school year. Download the two page PDF for your personal use here.
Peace
Psalm 29:11 reminds us that people who belong to the Lord will are promised strength and the blessing of peace!
"The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace."
Psalm 29:11
With wisdom you have chosen home education. With strength you have chosen to stand against the godless ways of the world to ensure your children know, trust, and serve God. As you walk and lead your children in righteousness and God's forgiveness, peace will be your portion (Isaiah 32:17). Armed with righteousness and the shoes of peace (peace with God), you can expect this promise in Psalm 16 to be fulfilled.
"When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Psalm 16:7
Joy
God promises both fiery trials and joy. Trials are not easy, and they are not forever. Jesus suffered for us, and we will suffer for His name's sake. We do not have to relinquish our joy in the midst of trials. In fact, we are called to rejoice!
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."
1 Peter 4:12-13
May the Lord God Almighty infuse you with inner strength to resist the lies that trials are a punishment from God, a condemnation of your character, or something to be ashamed of. As an imitator of Christ, you will have trouble.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
We pray, in the name of Jesus, that your lives will overflow with God's wisdom, strength, peace and joy as you run your race.
