Core scripture: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

Message: My seven-year old was extra thirsty during the Super Bowl.  He skipped over to the fridge, wrapping his hands around a 2 liter of Cherry 7 Up.  When he began to open the lid to pour it himself, my wife and I shouted out in unison.

“NOOO!!!”

His innocent eyes met mine.  You could tell he wanted to do it himself, but had the little guy done so, my guess is that we would be rushing to get the Spot Shot and towels.  His desire for independence was so strong that it nearly ended in a mess.

Aren’t we the same with God?  We want control.  We try to fix weak areas of our lives on our own without giving God a second thought.  The harder we try, the worse it gets.  It does not seem fair, but all the while God waits for our desperate cry out to Him.

We cannot get through this life on our own.  Too many times I try to take situations into my own hands.  Call it my own 2 liter of Cherry 7 up.  My hands slip.  The next thing I know there is a huge mess to clean up.  And I am sorry, not even the best Spot Shot can clean it up.

Only the Lord our God has the cleansing power to make us right.  Jesus knew that before He sent out the disciples.  He knew persecution would come and words would be hard to come by.  So He instructs them to empty their hearts into the Almighty’s hands.

Christ says, “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.  For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20).

As my school district prepares for conferences the next few days, I do not want to let my own words get in the way.  My words should be His words.  His love.  His encouragement.  His truth.  The moment I let my own thoughts get in the way, that Cherry 7 Up will be bouncing on the floor, causing a sticky, syrupy mess of sin.

The Christian teacher needs a game plan, and it all starts with prayer.  Pray the moment your feet hit the floor in the quiet of your house.  Walk the gymnasium beforehand, praying for effective communication over all the tables.  Pray quietly in your head as you see parents that you desperately need to communicate with.  Finally, do not forget to close your evening in prayer.

That communication is vital as you talk about how to best meet your students’ needs.  Pray boldly!  Jesus reminds us,“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).  God may not answer the way we expect Him to, but He will answer, and His will is always perfect and good.

Be a light for Christ at conferences.  Stay positive.  Encourage those hard-working parents as you do their children.  Build bridges to challenge accountability to come not just in your classroom but at home as well.  Thank them for their precious time, allowing that Holy Spirit to flood your soul.

When you give God control, the Undefeated One reigns supreme, and others will notice a difference in you, a light that cannot be hidden.  A light that sparks a fire inside them as well.  That fire has no choice but to spread to others, multiplying disciples.  Be that light at conferences.

Challenge: Time for some soul searching.  Where do you need to give God control in your life?  Where are you spinning your wheels when all you need to do is give God the steering wheel?  Pray that the Holy Spirit would come alive in you to take over in both words and actions.

Song Application: “Give You Control” by Tenth Avenue North

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFfztu8-bBQ

Here I am
All my intentions
All my obsessions
I want to lay them all down
In Your hands
Only Your love is vital
Though I’m not entitled
Still You call me Your child

God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go

God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
I give You control

Prayer: Lord, I give you control in all areas of my life.  May my trust grow in you as I allow your Holy Spirit to guide me.  Amen.