But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24, ESV
We have been called to faithfulness. It is God’s grace that helps us remain faithful, especially to share the Gospel of grace to this world, even if it costs us our earthly lives. That was the cost for our grace from Jesus.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12, ESV
We have been called to faithfulness. Thanks be to God that His faithfulness brings us eternal life and guides us in faithfulness. Trust Christ.
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.
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11, NASB
Many of the difficulties we face in this life come from our own bad decisions, but God uses those difficulties to overcome them and to grow us in Christlikeness. It does not feel pleasant, but like Christ conquering death through His death and resurrection, we see the hope of peace on the other side, the righteousness of Christ that is made ours.
but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
Hebrews 7:21-22, ESV
God called us to perfect obedience, but only God is able to make us perfect after our sin. The Old Covenant was based on obeying God’s Law, but the New Covenant is based on Christ’s obedience and love.
Believe in our High Priest who sacrificed Himself for us.
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 7:18-19, ESV
God’s Law shows us how sinful we are. God Himself came to us as a human, perfectly obeyed the Law, and then took our place of punishment and became our High Priest. When we believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are able to draw near to the One who first drew near to us.
This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
Hebrews 7:15-16, ESV
We were called to legal and moral perfection, but only God is perfect. Christ is our High Priest who paid for our failings a d proved He is God through His resurrection.
A few churches have come together to send youth on a combined Junior High/High School summer camp, July 22-25.
The theme for this camp is “Breakthrough,” overcoming sin that hinders and doubts that slow our walk. I personally have some youth coming who have discussed needing this.
Please join us in praying for true breakthrough for our preteens and teens this coming week!
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13, ESV
God established His Law to show the impossible expectation of human perfection, that we live in perfect obedience. Then He came to us as Christ, and now we only need believe in His life, death, and resurrection to receive the perfection of Jesus our High Priest.
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!