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The School of Hard Knocks!
A Hurting
Word...
It's graduation week at Peggie's REAL Place! My little boy, no more a little boy, graduates from high school and guess where's he's going? Oh, on to college, of course--but there's another school ahead that he--and we--must all attend. We don't graduate until Jesus comes or takes us home! Tuition is free; courses are not optional; it's tough, it's demanding, it's rewarding--and it's REAL LIFE. So welcome, Joey--and all of us--to the School of Hard Knocks!
Oh, you've been there too? You're still enrolled? Good--so am I! God's got a plan for all of our lives that includes required attendance at this school, so come on with me to the Well! Pen and pencil, calculators, backpacks, school box lunches--forget it...this is the School of Hard Knocks...and oh, by the way, while lethal weapons are not allowed in real school, your Sword, God's Word, is quite permissible here! Bring it along and let's enter the school. The bell is ringing, the Schoolmaster calls us...class is about to begin!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Welcome to Mathematics Class!
Forget the calculator, for there's no way we can add our blessings to our burdens, subtract our trials from our tests, multiply our sorrows by our sins, divide our successes by our failures, and come out with any logical answer but "God's grace." Life has its problems many times we can't figure out--but God is always there, watching, correcting, teaching and giving us HIS solution for every equation. There may be lots of "unknowns" in the algebra formula--but HE knows, and that's all that matters. Trust Him with the "math" in your life...it may not all add up now, but some day it will. Class will be over and we'll find out we've passed the final exam with flying colors... and by His grace!
Welcome to Ancient History Class!
Forget the heavy history textbook you carried in your backpack to school each day. All you need for this class is the Word of God, hidden within your heart--and your living, historical testimony to His goodness in your life. In the middle of a war with the enemy? Check out the previous chapters in the Book--God's and yours--and find that He's been faithful to win every battle ever fought. He'll not leave you stranded for the same God who historically brought the Bible heroes through every difficulty, who brought you through a myriad of messes yourself, is not about to fail you. So go on--enjoy the essay part of this test as you recall His goodness to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob--and youself! Class will someday be over and your final grade will reflect His absolute faithfulness--that's a indisputable, undeniable, historical fact!
Welcome to Physical Education Class!
Forget the regulation gym clothes...for this one, you'll need the Armor of God. Now it may be hard to run, jump, and play volley ball with that kind of heavy suit, but hey, this is the School of Hard Knocks...what did you expect! You'll not be sorry you've got some extra equipment along--you're going to need it in this class. God tests us with repetitive push-ups, the devil tries us with constant knock-downs, sometimes we run until we can run no further...but without that Armor, you're going to fail. With it, you will overcome every obstacle on the gym floor, you will make every touchdown, basket, field goal, and whatever else is gym-appropriate! God trains His soldiers well...the training is tough, but the rewards are terrific--they're eternal! So endure as a good soldier the stretching of the muscles and trying of the tendons! God's got plans for you to graduate with a spiritual fitness degree no school on earth can ever give--His soldiers are the best!
Just three classes in the schedule for this week...but they're tough ones. The School of Hard Knocks is never easy--but oh, its benefits--His love, joy and peace; His confidence, comfort and care; His Word, His Will, His Way. Each time we pass a test, there's a golden star (remember kindergarten??), a smile of approval from the Schoolmaster, and an application to sign up for the next course. Don't shrink back from attending classes in this tough school. It's where God prepares His servants for action, for warfare, for victory--and for graduation. Someday classes will be over, final exams will be completed and the Schoolmaster shall welcome us home. Until then, let us strive to make the grade, by His grace, His wisdom and His strength. Class dismissed!
His Healing
Words
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)."
"Lord, I'm in the School of Hard Knocks today--and there's an exam ahead which only by Your grace can I pass! You've never failed--help me not to fail this one. Give me Your abundant strength and wisdom and an assurance that I AM going to make it through YOU and what You've done for me at Calvary. I trust You to teach and train me to fulfill Your purposes in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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A Hurting
Word...
