I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV
We have unity in Christ, so let us be united in seeking Him and encouraging each other to be more Christ-like.
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
1 Timothy 5:1-2, ESV
God enjoys working through His people to grow His people, so let us encourage each other in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit to live godly lives.
Firstly, thank you to all who prayed for our youth this past week (July 22-25). 5 churches were represented this week, about 140 students attending.
Here are some quick updates on this week:
Our 2 JH boys
One student confessed his pride struggles, and he showed the fruit over the next day we were at camp.
Several students committed to actively living their lives for serving Christ.
At least four students came forward to receive Christ!
James was praying someone would experience a miracle to help their faith grow deeper. He was born color blind (able to see black/white, grays, and brown (typically from red)). After about 30 minutes of praying for his fellow students, he opened his eyes to notice the stage lights looked different. This young man, praying someone else might experience a miracle, had his own! James is no longer color blind!
James is not from my congregation, but he was in my cabin. We did not get to bed until after 1:00 am, because he kept discovering new colors and shades
Immediately after the Wednesday night prayer time. James is surrounded by friends praising God.
It is always amazing to see the goodness of God. Please continue to pray for our new believers, students who had major breakthroughs, and for James and his new vision!
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.
Ruth 1:16, ESV
God is faithful and calls us to faithfulness. This is done by His help and drawing near with fellow believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us help each other be faithful in love and faithfulness.
But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name
John 1:12, CSB
God created us for fellowship, but we have all sinned and separated ourselves from each other and Him. But He became one of us to restore fellowship and even invite us into His family when we believe.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10, CSB
God created us for fellowship, but in our sin we separated from Him and each other. But He came to us to redeem us and restore us, to make us a holy people in fellowship with Him and each other when we believe in Christ.
If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mark 3:25, CSB
Life is hard enough without the Church getting into squabbles and frivolous fights. Let us focus on the spiritual war waging around us, and by the authority of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit speak against evil and seek to bring glory to God to all around us.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38, ESV
We encourage each other in Christ to faithfulness, and we encourage each other to pray that He makes us each faithful in reaching the lost with the gospel.
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
James 5:7-8, ESV
We help each other grow in the Lord, to be patient while we wait for Him, encouraging each other, because we know He is coming soon.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!