Month: April 2018

Psalm 8:2 says, “Through the praise of children and infants, you have established a stronghold against your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger.” Don’t you see the Lord’s heart here? Every single life, no matter the age, is useful for furthering the Kingdom of God. You can see that He has a BIG place in His heart for children and infants. We see that all throughout Scripture as He uses young people to do incredible things for Him.

Somewhere along the way, we have attempted to devalue what our kids say and believe. That is our enemy at work because he knows the power those little ones hold! I say all of this to bring your attention to the fact that children have authority when they pray. So let them do it! Let them partner with you in the things for which you are contending.

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with my grown up problems that I forget that my Father asks me to have a childlike faith. I read this Scripture a few months ago and it brought me to my knees in humility. Since then, we have fairly regular praise parties with my 2 year old at my house. This means that we turn on praise or worship music that we can dance to and we praise with FULLNESS in our hearts. Sometimes it means that I dance like a fool in my living room with tears streaming down my face because I know the weight the of issues we face, but I also know the power of what we’re doing in the moment. Invite your children into the intimacy of your relationship with Jesus and watch how the dynamics of situations in your life change!

(Katelyn is our Administrative Assistant and co-leader of our Young Adults group)

When I was 16 years old, God showed me myself through Scripture.  The experience was not what I expected.  God was correcting me and preparing me through his Word for things that were to come.

As I sat home on a Friday night, all my “friends” out running around and having a good time, I began to feel sorry for myself.  I was upset that they were out having fun and that I was stuck at home…doing nothing.  I arrogantly said to the Lord, “If your Word is for me, then show me something that relates to what I feel right now.”  I opened my Bible to Psalms 73.

In Psalm 73:1-16 Asaph is looking at the world around him and becomes angry that they can do whatever they want and still prosper.  They clothe themselves with pride, have no thought of God or the repercussion of their actions.  Asaph looks at their lives and questions why he is working so hard to please God and seemingly gets little but trouble and heartache in return.

Then, in verses 17-28, Asaph gets in to God’s presence and everything changes!  God shows Asaph what happens when people live in such a way.  He carefully points out to Asaph that this way of living leads only to spiritual death.  God then pushes Asaph to look even deeper at the true root of what’s going on.  Verses 21-28 are where Asaph truly sees himself and where he truly sees God’s heart for him!

Psalm 73:21-26– Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.  22 I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.  23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.  24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.  25 Whom have I in heaven but you?   I desire you more than anything on earth.  26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Through this scripture God revealed himself to me!  I was focused too much on the world, on my own desires and wishes.  He lovingly held my hand and led me back to reality.  He put my heart in focus just as he did Asaph!!   He is such a patient and loving father!

Another version of this scripture reads, “My flesh and heart may fail, but God is my strength.  He is my choice forever!”  On a daily basis we must choose the Lord.  The world around us is always pulling for our attention and affections.  The enemy wants to divide us and put a wedge between us and the Lord.  Today, let us say that even if we mess up…even if we miss the mark…we will choose to follow God regardless how we feel or how things look around us.  Help us Jesus to say each day, He is my choice forever!!

(Johna is our Youth Pastor and one of our worship leaders)