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!
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!
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 4:14, ESV
God has prepared a rest for those who believe in Christ, the only one who could live perfectly as a human but also the true God of Creation. We confess our Savior and God who grants rest for our souls through His sacrifice.
And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:13, ESV
God has prepared a rest for those who are cleansed by the blood of Christ, and He knows even the stains of sins we are unaware of. With our faith in Christ, as revealed by the Word, we can know we are clean with the hope of rest from fear, shame, and judgment.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12, ESV
God has prepared an eternal rest for us, and we find this rest through the indwelling, Spirit-inspired Word of God which transforms us and guides us in all truth.
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:11, ESV
God has offered us rest for our souls in Christ. May we live in such a way that we can know that we will find complete rest, whether at death or at His return, knowing it is the Word living in us that saves us.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
Psalm 107:13-14, ESV
God’s commandments are based on His nature and for our good, shining the light of His goodness into our world. We obey to show our love for the freedom He gives us and to spread His light in our dark world.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27, ESV
God’s commands are based on His nature, and His example is caring for widows and orphans in His holiness. He call us to the same standard helps us to love others.
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!