FOCUS YOUR MIND ON GOD

Happy August, Family and Friends!

With school starting back up for all students, many are having to get their minds back on school. A long summer break makes this especially hard since there will be a limited amount of relaxing, your sleep schedule may be a mess, and daily activities will now mainly consist of schoolwork. Here are a couple things to keep in mind during the school year.

1) We are all intelligent human beings.  After all, we are made in His image. Let us remember to have faith in the God that made us and allow Him to guide our steps. We should present all that we do to Him first. Pray over your teachers and your classrooms and ask God to give you the wisdom you need to make it through.

2) Be not dismayed when things get tough. As Isaiah 41:10 tells us: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” The God who protected David in battle is the same God that gave Solomon his wisdom. When we ask and pray, He is sure to answer. But it still means that you must do your very best and that means studying!

3) God will not help those that don’t help themselves. He gave us a gift and only you know what that gift is. Some of you are good at math while others are better writers. Discovering your gift and cultivating it into its fullest capacity pleases God. The areas that are the most difficult are places where our faith grows as we learn to depend on God and pray for His mind. As 1 Corinthians 2:5 says, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” His ways are higher and His wisdom in no way compares to ours. The God of creation can most certainly give you the wisdom for the hardest test or assignment. Trust in him!

4) Lastly, do not forget to rest. The Bible highlights that rest is important and as our bodies are God's temple, we should treat them as such with the rest they deserve. Resting is also a way of trusting God. Do not be consumed with work so much that you cease to remember that God is in control. Matthew 11:28 states, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I Pray that this blesses you all for the start of a new school year! God Bless!

-Brother Manu Maosi