I can almost feel it. Summertime is so close.
Some of you may not know it, but along with being a pastor, I'm a public school teacher. God has blessed me to have a teaching job in a very conservative school district. We still say "under God" daily in the Pledge of Allegiance. We still have a dress code for teachers and students. Even a few years ago, our Music teacher would play recordings of God Bless The USA and The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
My last day of school work is this Friday, May 28th, and then I'm free for two and a half months. Freedom, what a feeling! Oh, my heart is excited for this vacation time! This means I'll have more time with my family and with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The main projects I'll be focusing on are
Finishing the YouTube video about Brother Branham NOT plagiarizing Clarence Larkin
Editing the audio book for my upcoming book, The 12 New Testament Mysteries Revealed
Writing my next book about family
Last summer was a great blessing, as I was able to complete the audio book for my first book, Christian Modesty Restored. I had lots of time to write huge portions of my upcoming book about The 12 New Testament Mysteries, as well.
I've learned time is the most valuable thing we have. It's way more important than money, fame, or anything else. Christians know this and therefore redeem the time. Redeem means "to buy back or to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good". Paul says it best in Ephesians 5:15-17:
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Although it's been hard at times, I've had to learn patience over the years regarding my projects and to do lists. God has taught me to trust in His timing and ways. If I had the choice, I'd have everything done yesterday. But waiting teaches me to trust in God and His infinite wisdom.
I hope your summer is a great blessing. I pray you'll redeem the time Jesus gives you. May God give you rest and strength to love Him, your family, friends, and saints. I can't wait to have more time to do what I want most than anything else--spread the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ and love my family.
~Pastor Jesse Smith
Your students at school must be happy to have you as a teacher. You have a terrific way to make abstract material very interesting. I remember we had a history teacher who headed our Bible study group at the NYC high school I went to...circa 1972. He was from a Jewish background.