Lately, I've been down a bit in terms of connecting with Christ on a day to day, and moment to moment basis. Of course then in struggling through that, trying everyday to take my thoughts captive for the Lord, attempting to spend more time in prayer throughout my day, only with struggles like this would me having to lead a Campaigners come up! It would be very easy to have skated by, lead on the next chapter of John, and just slide by. However, in praying through and thinking through what I thought God wanted our kids to hear, and what I thought was something that perhaps they needed to hear I kept coming back to one thought: what did I need to hear from the Lord?
As it turned out, both matched up because I was feeling at a point where I just had to get back to the basics and the foundations of my own faith. The conversation all night was definitely lead by the Lord, even from how kids responded to how their past week was. The basic premise tonight was to start with John 10:10 and talk about life, where we all look for it, what others look for, what happens when they don't find fulfilling and lasting life where they look, and then what comprises 'life to the full'. Then we spend a bit of time talking about what 'joy' is, how there's a difference between joy and happiness, and then what joy does for you. After that we delved into the beginning of John 15, and brought that around to how we are able to sustain joy and how we continue to live life to the full: remain. We must remain in Jesus Christ in order to experience life to the full and to have our joy made complete because of the love of Christ.
Think about all that for a second...and how much easier could it be to understand? If we don't stay connected to the Source of true life, then we will be cut off and thrown in the fire. That doesn't sound pleasant; but the rest of the passage is awesome if you really dig deep! I love the fact as well that it uses the word 'remain' so many times and really forces you to grasp the concept of abiding in Christ's presence and His love.
In the end, dang it was amazing of me to be able to study that myself in preparation for talking young believers through it. It's truly great and wondrous the ways that God will answer prayers sometimes. On the same hand, one must be able to appreciate the valleys and the perseverance that is developed in times like these.
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" ~ James 1:12
2 comments:
I think that I am really down with this post, but your music player is STILL in the way. so i can only read half. this is funky...can u just put it on the right side of the screen for me?:)
You sound like a man on a mission and you are sharing your treasures as you go. Finding joy in giving to others with a positive message is a sign of the realization of self. However, don't be so hasty as to mention anyone being tossed into a fire.
Peace be with you and yours.
John
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