Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29, ESV
God is our source of life and love, giving us the power to control our minds and tongues to help each other in life and worship.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
James 5:13, ESV
God has called us to wisdom, and He equips the Church to share wisdom. Wisdom calls for us to care for each other, helping and praying for each other and rejoicing in Christ together.
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, ESV
We were called by God to wisdom, and He equips His Church to help each other grow. Elders and leaders in the Church should be specially equipped to help and thus respected and encouraged, as well.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV
God calls us to walk in wisdom, Nad that means we should be seeking His righteousness, which the Holy Spirit guides us through and imparts to us as we seek.
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love
Ephesians 4:2, ESV
We are called to walk in wisdom, which should show us how sinful we are and in need of grace. God empowers us to overcome, and He has given us each other to help. Remember that we are all in this together, struggling alone but encouraging each other.
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.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us
Hebrews 12:1, ESV
We have been called to faithfulness. God has shown us how He has been faithful to help someone many others remain faithful, so give Him all your sin, temptations, weaknesses, strengths, power, and goodness to see how He can help you, too
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!
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:12-14, NASB
To overcome the problems and difficulties of this life, we should focus on God and His Word, seeking His wisdom and helping each other to grow in Christlikeness and the peace of Christ.
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!