Are You a Real Advocate for Education?
Good Morning Friends,
There is a theology of place that needs to come alive in institutions of learning…a Spirit that both takes a sense of community into schools and takes that schooling out into the larger community. And I believe the people God has deposited in these teachings communities are discovering how God births a deeper learning sensitive to the lifelong needs of students. For it is here in the middle of these relationships that peace is given from God. And we can be a witness to it. Here we too can be filled with the Holy Spirit and the Words of Jesus in a purpose that is part of a greater plan. It is here we discover there is no secular…only sacred and desecrated. It is here abiding in Jesus we can grow the fruit of peace and find real strength. Are You a Real Advocate for Education?
26Scripture:
6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NRSV)
‘When the Advocate* comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. 4But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.
John 15: 26-27 26(NRSV)
‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate* will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about* sin and righteousness and judgement: 9about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.12 ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
John 16: 4b-15 26(NRSV)
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
Acts 4:13-22 (NIV)
12For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NRSV)
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
2Do not be conformed to this world,* but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.*
Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
Message: We do so look for places of peace and grace and wisdom in institutions. We look for the perfect place to live and work and we seek relationships of peace as well, but peace seems so elusive for most of us. We look at the world and have to wonder if peace is really possible. Then we remember the words of Jesus that He shared with his disciples on their last night before the crucifixion. Then we hear the words of Jesus, saying in His risen body to the disciples…”Peace.” Then we read in Acts about the how the disciples acted on these words with a commitment to a purpose as they faced trials and persecution in the tension of change and became strong. Friends, peace grows and thrives where respect and love of other believers are present. Peace grows and thrives when we become clear witnesses of God’s power in our lives. Peace grows when we obey the Lord. Peace grows in us when God’s peace takes us over. Here in this place of peace we discover God’s purpose and our potential through acts of faith. Peter was unschooled but somehow learned the most important of things. Friends, some life skills are not taught in institutions. But the problem is not education. Ultimately the problem is not money. The problem is not too little entertainment and information. The problem is not even the government. The problem is that we do not know God and as a result we become slaves to sin and the dictates of the world. Friends, if God does not define you, there is no lasting pattern to your life. Friends, youth today need an advocate for education to last a lifetime. Indeed we all need an Advocate in Jesus and an Advocate in the Holy Spirit.
Pray that in every difficult situation in life we find the peace and strength in the words of Jesus. Pray that in prayer we would find perspective. Pray that here we discover that peace is a fruit of the Spirit, a true hope for a stressed out world. Pray that in prayer God would cultivate this peace in our lives. Pray we grow in peace with God and are reconciled to Him and within ourselves as well. Pray we have peace in God’s plan and obedience to God’s will. Pray we have peace with others found in mutual respect and deliverance from threats. Pray we not worry about anything but pray about everything. Pray we tell God what we need. Pray we thank God and experience peace for in it will also be our strength. Pray we learn the art of conversation with each other and with God. Pray we learn to think through to solutions. Pray we learn the value and importance of investing in things that matter. Pray we learn the value of life long relationships of love. Pray we learn the value of knowing our rights and the responsibility of effecting social change through the systems of power. Pray we learn good manners and how to use basic tools to creatively engage new cultures. Pray we learn to manage time and read the Bible. Pray we learn how to find a job that becomes a vocation and that vocation a calling. Pray we learn how to access God’s healthcare. Pray we learn from our mistakes. Pray we learn the law of the land but more important the law of love.
Pray we realize that we cannot hope to change the political, economic or social conditions of people by merely giving them a better education. Pray we all realize the need for an Advocate on the journey and at our final destination.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 