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Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin"1 (Lyrics) |
Imagine what it would be like to be able to walk up to someone from your past — someone whom you have not seen for years — and give them a hug or a handshake, and thank them for how they allowed the Lord to help you in your Christian walk. Who comes to mind for you?
Being the eldest of four and having just turned six years of age, I was encouraged by my mother to set off on my own each morning to walk three blocks to our little neighbourhood playground. There, I attended a Vacation Bible School program. I don't remember much — it was long ago — but I do remember the last day of our time together. I followed the three young people who were our leaders to a quiet corner of the park. There, in the shade of a large bush, I knelt with my head bowed and asked the Lord Jesus to forgive my sins. I prayed that He would come into my life and be my Saviour. The memory is clear. I knew that I now belonged to the Lord, despite my young age, and I understood the steps that I had taken.
1 Timothy 4:12 – Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (ESV)
If I could speak to those Christian youth workers today — they would be quite elderly now! — I would thank them for leading me to the Lord Jesus. They were the first to encourage me in my Christian walk. I would tell them of my deep gratitude and thankfulness for the Christian love that they showed a little girl sixty years ago.
Someday, in heaven, I know that I will meet those wonderful people again. In the meantime, let us pray for the work that young Christians are doing today for the Lord. Pray for the summer missionaries in child evangelism as they work with their neighbourhood partners and travel to their hosts' homes.
Hebrews 13:7 – Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (ESV)
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for those whom You have allowed to come into our lives to show us the way of salvation. We pray that You will be with youth workers this summer as they reach out to the children in Your most holy name. Lord Jesus, bless and encourage each and every one. Amen.
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A lovely devotional today Sandra. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful story Sandra, and a great challenge. Needed to hear that today.
Amen and Amen to this devotional. Thanks for sharing this with us. Blessings.
Good morning Sandra,
Thank you.
Never too young, and never too old! Thanks for your words, Sandra.
Blessings.
Its so good to hear this Sandra. I held Vacation Bible School in my home several times and love to hear results of all those faithful leaders … who just wanted to obey their call!!
What a great thoughtful prayer, such thoughtfulness. I know many are working at camps and vacation bible camps and I would never have thought to pray for them. Thank you so much.
Great memories! Great devotional!
Thank you.
Thank you Sandra. This devotional brought tears to my eyes as this is the first day of our vbs and I felt the encouragement from God giving us his blessing for the week. I always feel a little anxious the first day and it was wonderful to be prayed upon.
Sandra:
Thank you for reminding each of us the importance and value we all received by some of our elders and relatives. It is easy to forget their importance in each of our daily lives. Again, Thank you and may God continue to be of great importance in your daily life.
Dear Sandra,
I just had two Child Evangelism Fellowship workers stay overnight at my house while they conducted a 5-Day Club in the local Hall.
I pray for the children, who attended their teaching, that they will be as deeply and lastingly influenced for the Lord as you were.
Keep writing.
Dear Sandra, throughout this past year, beginning each day by reading the Devotional, I don’t believe any other author wrote about ‘Believers who are within their Youthful years.’ Thank you. Until a couple of years ago our Church School was very small.
With the leadership of our Minister, our Session, multiple changes within our Worship and other services, structural alterations within our Sanctuary making it more community oriented, younger families began attending and so our Sunday School grew. You see Sandra, we saw the youth as our church, yes the youth as being our church and families have come to realize that and to eventually join and amazingly become physically active. What an encouragement this has been to we seniors.
We now revel each Sunday to see those youngsters rushing to sit up in front for their time before heading for their classes.
I pray our Saviour continues to bless you real good.
Good morning Sandra,
I like your inspirational story.
Thank you.