“Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.” (Luke 6:40 NLT)
Three situations came to mind yesterday. The first was when the regular classroom teacher would assign you homework, collect it, but you never saw it again. You still don’t know how well you did up to this day. The second situation was when the substitute was left with a pile of worksheets by the teacher, thinking she was helping the sub and helping circumvent complaining like, “Not another work sheet!” And to make matters worse with this second situation, the regular teacher never counted the work that the sub stayed after school to grade; simply tossed them in the trash. The third situation I thought about was prompted by my thoughts of homework that students never saw again. I’m sure in the past that did not reinforce putting forth all one’s abilities in completing future homework assignments. The third situation: Our Bible Study classes just completed studies of I Peter, II Peter, II John and III John. I’m covering I John during a preaching series on Sundays. So I decided that we would take a topical look for two weeks at Scriptures that give you strength to persevere; hang on in there, keep on keeping on in this pandemic and times where our personal problems have been pushed to un-experienced and unexpected heights. I assigned students in a couple of the classes the homework of seeing what they could come up with in their study of the word regarding Scriptures to give each other strength. Like the regular classroom teacher and the substitute situation above, I neglected to ask for the homework. However, undaunted by my omission, one of my students, a college faculty member, an educator of teachers, and an experienced teacher at pre-college grades, said at the end of the class, I will email my homework. I received it, reviewed it, and responded back, “I might have to share your work with others in the classes.” I went a step further and decided to send some of her submitted Scriptures to every recipient of “Mark Writes.” Enjoy them and find the strength you need for today. Here they are! Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”
Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Romans 5:3-5: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
James 5:11 “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
Romans 5:4” “…perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”
Colossians 1:11-12: “…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
Have a great Thursday! Hope you were moved by my sharing! Become like THE TEACHER, Jesus, by being fully trained by Him! Be safe! And remember, there will be a Second Advent! But in the meantime, THE TEACHER will be checking your homework! His homework has a purpose and your work is not ignored. Strive to get a “good grade” and a great comment like the one below.” Be blessed! “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:23 NLT) Still committed to the climb, Mark L. King