This entry began with my personal Bible study, and I was impacted right away.  Burnt offerings and ritual sacrifices aren’t particularly significant to my daily life, but obeying the Lord is!  I try to find practical application while reading, so I was paying attention. My ‘Whoa’ came when considering the personal words He says to me as His voice! Nothing compares to His written WORD, but in this passage, He says clearly that He wants obedience to His voice!!!  Am I going to deny that I hear His voice?

The words I then got from Him had to do with my everyday life as a teacher.

From the journal . . . . September 1999

Jer 7:22-23  For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, ²³ but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.

God said He didn’t speak to the people about burnt offerings and sacrifices.  But that they obey His voice. 

Lord, how does this apply to my life?  I know that I need to obey Your voice.  Whoa!  And You have spoken to me often and directly.  O Lord, help me to listen to Your voice!

And I Believe God Said:

Don’t be afraid to love at school. You could have given Laura a hug.  She was hurting.  Remember when I told you to teach women and love the children.  Now you are teaching children, and I want you to love the parents.  Also, love the staff and take time to listen.  You aren’t lame in teaching.  Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t worry so much.  Remember Me always.

Gal 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;

Isaiah 41:10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

I was in my early years of teaching, and my professional training always emphasized physical boundaries.  My natural tendency is the opposite, so I was learning how to navigate within the public school system.  The Lord’s encouragement was a relief, and I believe He gave discernment along the way of when to hug and when to not hug.

Ecc 3:5b A time to embrace and a time to turn away NLT

I realized that this entry may not be relevant to many of you. My point would be that if the Lord is speaking to you from His Word or by His Spirit, obey Him.  If you have questions, ask Him!!

John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

Jeremiah 7:23b. Obey Me, and I will be your God and you will be My people.