This week’s devo was posted last year also and is more of a teaching than it is a devo.  But hey, no big deal to change things up a little.  Take this week and check out some keys that will help make your school year this year a good one.  School is back in, we’re here to help you out.

1.  Keep your Strength Reservoir filled.

How?  Daily time in the word and prayer.  Seeking and finding encounters with God continually.  You’ll be strong when you need it.   Psalm 18:32-36

2.  Beat Sin Temptation.

Whether it’s peer pressure or just simply the sin around you: don’t lose.  If your Strength Reservoir is full you have what it takes to overcome every time.  Remember, God has called you a conqueror.  Believe it.  Live like it.   1 Corinthians 10:13

3.  Be an Encourager, not a Slanderer.

Make it hard for others to not like you.  Control your tongue.  If everyone would do this, school would be a much nicer place.  Build people up.  They’ll like you.  Put them down, you’ll be making enemies.   Proverbs 21:23

4.  Maintain a great Attitude and ....Smile. 

Remember, in everything you do, do it as if you are doing it for God.  If you do it that way, your attitude will be good.  If the old stinky attitude creeps in, kill it!  No one wants to be around people with bad attitudes.  Smile.  Smile lots.  People like people who smile.  Colossians 3:17

5.  Don’t let Stress eat at you.

Stress during school can mount up.  Pleasing parents, pleasing teachers, pleasing coaches, etc.  Make sure the peace that passes all understanding is guarding your hearts and minds.  How do you do that?  Pray for it.  Ask for it.  When stress comes, take it to God.  He’ll bring peace, the kind of peace that makes you relax in the middle of school chaos.   Philippians 4:7

6.  Be The Light.

That’s what you are.  School is mostly a dark place where the enemy has his way.  Be the light there.  Do not be ashamed of what you believe.  Be bold.  Let people know first by your actions then by your talk.   Matthew 5:14-16     

7.  Study Hard.

What is school about?  Learning.  Well, duh!  Ok, if that’s what it is really all about, then do your best!  Study hard and the rest will take care of itself.  Laziness will bring a person to ruin!   Proverbs 10:4

8.  Don’t forget to Play.

Did you just read that right?  Yep, sure did.  Have some fun.  Of course, only when the work is done and the fun entails the breaking of no rules or God’s laws.  School should be fun.  All work and no play, well, it stinks!   Genesis 2:2

9.  Treat your Teachers with Respect.

    You’ll gain favor with both God and man.   Romans 13:7

    

10.  Relationship Priority Reminder: God, parents, friends, dating relationship. 

In that order.  Don’t forget it.  Keep it that way.  If this gets out of whack so will a lot of other things.   Matthew 6:33