another milestone

Today we hit another milestone ... today is the last student day of the semester. One of my goals this semester was to finish. Today I have one final to give - grades are in for my other classes ... then I only need to prep my room for my sub. Praise God!

I did meet my sub yesterday, I think he will be GREAT. We are  going to meet again today so I can share my "wealth" of jewelry knowledge. He seems to be an eager learner and I am sure a quick study.

Last week a friend from school sent me an encouraging statement of confession from Dr Bridget Hillard ... I have been speaking it over Jeremy in the morning, and sometimes through the day. In the statement it speaks of Children are like Olive Plants around the table .... what does that mean .... why olive plants? 

Last night  when Aaron and I picked the devotion from the Promises book one was titled Olive Plants.... so not  only did we have  a great devotion, we also LEARNED! 

"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table" Psalm 128:3

devotion/ lesson

There are three primary aspects to this wonderful promise

1. Fruit bearers - The main emphasis is that olive trees bear fruit. Symbolically, this means that the children of God's people will be fruit bearers. They will bear fruit of the Spirit (the character of God), the fruit of good works and the fruit of souls welcomed into the kingdom. 
2. Spiritually hardy - Olive trees are also very hardy plants that can grow well in rough and rocky terrain. So the children of the righteous should be very capable - through the grace of God - handle the rough rocky territory they face in life.
3. Anointed - Olive oil is a strong, Biblical symbol for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing is even referred to "the oil of gladness" and the "oil of joy" (Psalm 45:7 Hebrews 1:9 Isaiah 61:3). So God is promising that the children of the righteous will be producers of the anointing - that they will manifest the power of God as they minister the truth to others.

Prayer:

LORD GOD, on the basis of Psalm 128:3, I pray my child will be an olive plant at my table, that Jeremiah Parker Shelby will bear much fruit and be a blessing to others and a praise to God in the earth. If he faces rough and rocky places in life, I believe my child will be able to endure with the help of God. I confess that the "oil of gladness" (the anointing of the Holy Spirit) will flow through Jeremy powerfully to extend the Kingdom of God in this world. I speak these things knowing that your Word will not return void. It will accomplish what you have declared - in Jesus' Name, AMEN (let it be so!) 

What a powerful teaching/devotion last night. Sticking to me, Jeremy is already a blessing to me and others, and he is not even here yet. How much more powerful when he does arrive ... sometime in the next 2 weeks. 

Still celebrating this milestone day ... tomorrow's milestone our Life Group Christmas gathering ... :) 

GRACE AND PEACE!