A’s, B’s, & C’s OR D’s and F’s
(Second in the Back to School Series)
Last week, I had you find a verse to help encourage you through each day. This week, I want to discuss a verse that you hear us quote quite a bit. Today’s verse is about confession.
“The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21(NLT)
I really like how the Message Bible interprets this verse:
“Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 (Message)
For schooling purposes you could look at it this way: the words you choose to speak over your education determine whether you get A’s, B’s, & C’s or D’s and F’s. I have rarely met a student, who comes to me for tutoring, in a subject, that doesn’t tell me they just hate that subject, or that they don’t get it. I have had students become very upset, break pencils and all the while saying things like “I can’t learn this.” Of course we all have subjects that are harder than others. We are all gifted in some areas more than others. That’s because we are all created differently, but that does not mean we all cannot have a level of competency to pass our classes.
You have to change your way of speaking. I want you to think of the class you have the hardest time with. Is it Math? Algebra? English? British Literature? Foreign Language? For the purpose of this post, let’s say it’s Algebra. Let’s line up your mouth by saying what you need to say to succeed in class.
The first and most important element is that you realize, as a Christian, you know the Creator of everything. Therefore, you know the Creator of Algebra. God created numbers; he even has a whole book of the Bible named Numbers. It goes to reason, that if God created numbers, then he understands them and the subject you are studying better than anyone else on earth.
We understand that everything we confess, must line up with the Bible if we want good results. Here is an awesome revelation: the Bible also says in
“ . . . But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.”
This means you have the ability to learn whatever God created. God created Algebra, you have the mind of Christ, therefore, you CAN understand Algebra.
This year I want you to start speaking this confession over yourself. Put it inside the cover of your notebook for the class you are currently having the most difficulty with, confess it before class, and before you do homework for that class.
Lord, I thank you that you created all things; therefore your understanding surpasses that of everyone on earth. I thank you that you are imparting that wisdom to me. I have the mind of Christ. I can understand (insert subject). I thank you that you are teaching and showing me what I need to do and giving me a desire to learn more in (insert subject)class.
Now that’s not where we are ending today, because where a lot of people make their mistake is they think if they just speak that everything will line up. You can speak that you want that food on the dinner table 1000 times but until you get up and sit in front of it at the table and use your fork you won’t be able to partake of it. So let’s look at the entire chapter of Proverbs 18 and take time to look at a few more verses.
As you read this chapter in the Message Bible we see some other verses that apply to our education:
2 “Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;
all they do is run off at the mouth.”
Be sure you keep your mouth in check! If you start to hear yourself speak negatively, stop and amend your speaking. Also, make sure you are only conversing about wholesome topics.
9 “Slack habits and sloppy work
are as bad as vandalism.”
You have to study and not only turn in your work, but also turn in work that is neat and organized. If you need help with this, talk to your teacher or parent or I am always here during study hall on Wednesday nights starting at 3:30 pm and we can work on that.
13 “Answering before listening
is both stupid and rude.”
This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Most likely, because, as a young person, this was a bad habit I had. I still continue to work on this, daily. Basically, stop listening to respond. Instead, listen to hear, then take it in, comprehend it, pray for God to help you understand it and then if it requires a response, then respond. If it doesn’t require a response, then remain quiet.
You all have watched shows where someone in school has their hand up before the teacher is finished asking a question, or better yet a game show where someone buzzed in before the game show host was finished with the question, they answer the wrong question, and lose their money. This is because they were listening to respond instead of listening to hear. Have you ever been listening to your teacher, but arguing with her/him in your head or coming up with questions before they are done. Curb that reaction and listen, really listen.
15 “Wise men and women are always learning,
always listening for fresh insights.”
Notice the word listening again? We should always be listening and learning. ALWAYS. You have to put in the work. You have to make learning a lifestyle. Remember to always make time to for your studies. Also, make sure you are not idolizing the “A”. Go to class with the goal to learn something that you didn’t know. Learn for the sake of learning. Fall in love with learning; strive for progress, not perfection. As you do, the more you will enjoy your classes and the more you will learn.
This week, if you want to be entered in the drawing you need to email, text, or give me a written note with the specific subjects for which you are confessing. Pastor Dany and I are going to agree with you for progress in that subject. Also, keep in mind that every Wednesday, beginning on September 23, 2015, we will begin this year’s study hall. If you wish to come and work on your homework and study till church begins, you are welcome. If you need tutoring in any areas, please contact me and let me know. These tutoring sessions are free so there is no reason not to take advantage of them.