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Listen while you read: "Praise The Lord Who Reigns Above"1 (Lyrics) |
Acts 2:17 – In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (NIV)
Currently, some of our young people are going through the process of confirmation (or church membership). Our youth leader is doing a wonderful job with them, and I'm attending the classes, more as an observer and adviser. As always, when I enter into a church teaching situation, I end up learning more about what I believe. Our young students bring vitality to the faith that we share, and I receive new insights into what they believe and what's important to them.
Last night, they composed a new statement of faith based upon what Presbyterians call the "Great Ends of the Church". Through their minds and with their ideas, I experienced a new understanding of what Church is all about and what it will become to future generations. Instead of being anxious and worried, I was both moved and impressed by what they wrote together. At their confirmation service, which will take place on the Day of Pentecost, our congregation will use their Statement of Faith in our morning liturgy. Here is what they have brilliantly written:
At Erin Presbyterian Church, we will seek to be God's people by:
- Declaring that Jesus Christ is the Saviour for all people.
- Caring for and providing a strong community of faith for all of God's children.
- Taking care of godly praise.
- Keeping the message of God alive.
- Encouraging the fair treatment of all people everywhere.
- Showing the world God's grace.
I think that the future of the Church is in very good hands, don't you?
Questions for personal reflection:
As a teenager, what were my views and vision of the Church? How have I fulfilled that vision in my life?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of our young people and for the vitality that they bring to our churches. May their thoughts and ideas be aligned to Your future vision of the life, ministry, and mission of the church to come. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
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Amen John.
Hopeful signs indeed. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Good afternoon, John: I agree, our wold view changed with age, but we remain steadfast with our eyes on Christ!
John, thank you again for sharing with us. I enjoy your devotionals. May God continue to bless you and work through you and the good of His church.
Dear John:
Thank you for those words of hope today. How very encouraging. God bless them.
Thank you for a wonderful devotional. Our youth are the future and have so much to give if we would only listen and learn.I have experienced this as a guide leader for many years Kids are great.
Hi John,
All I can say it thank you for sharing it with us. It truly warms the cockles of our hearts.
Blessings.
Dear John,
Your young people have a great start in spelling out their convictions and allegiances to the Lord and His church; I prayer that they will continue to grow. Thanks for sharing.
Dear John;
Thank you so much for your devotional this morning. Our newly amalgamated church are going through this process right now and the timing is just perfect. What an awesome vision statement! Thank you for sharing.
Good order of priorities… first things first, with Jesus at the Head.
It was not taught like that in Glasgow – God was austere, Jesus was a “friend of little children” so when I was a teen, He didn’t seem to have much relevance.
Now 70 years on, He’s on the throne in my life.
Thanks for the meditation,
(BC Canada)
Dear John Stuart,
Thank you for the devotional.
The young folks seem off to a good start.
I pray that God will continually deepen their knowledge and acceptance of the His Word and will, and will help them to build on their salvation and live out the Way of Jesus Christ.
For His sake,
Keep writing,.
Thank you so much for todays devotional. It makes my heart sing. I am a transplanted Iowa girl and my love is very deep for my precious homeland. I am so very encouraged about the future of the church in the United States. There are encouraging signs of renewed interest among the young people here. This is important to us whom are the in a congregation of predominately retired persons. Thank God that he is always present and will not ever leave us nor forsake us. I pray for your continued ministry.
May He continually bless you,
(B.C. Canada)
Many times since I have been receiving the Presbyterian Devotional I have found your statement of your personal feelings most timely and of a great help in my personal walk.
I came from a home where my father believed Some Christians were nuts, so of course I believed the same. My husband grew up in a in a Christian home with Godly people. They are pacifists who see the mandate of their life is to be peacemakers.
Many in Presbyterian devotional have been helpful with their encouragement. Praise God in this. Tho’ we may never meet in this life we have been blessed by words. Thank you all.