On faith: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these he will do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:12-13
I thought that I had learned my lesson on faith during my fundraising and prep to come here. Apparently, though, God didn’t think I’d learned enough about it. This week the Lord continued to show me that I can ask him anything in the name of Jesus and he will do it. I can ask him to help me have a cheerful heart to serve. I can ask him to give me an opportunity to share the gospel with a new friend. I can ask him to grow in me a desire to love him and want to spend more time with him. I can ask him for boldness in speaking to a group of children. I can ask him any good thing in his Son’s name and he will answer, faithfully.
“And this is the confidence we have towards him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
On love: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 1 John 3:1
So, as you know, this past week was the first of two weeks of kids camp here at El Rancho. Every morning our team joined the leaders in their meeting before heading out to care for 80 rambunctious, sweet, crazy children. I loved these early meetings. We would have some worship, break out and have our personal quiet times, then come back together and share our thoughts. One of the things we were really encouraging the leaders all week was showing the love of Jesus to the kids. It was just so cool to see all the leaders (ages ranging from 15-20) learning how to love one another, how to love their campers like Jesus does, how to show the kids how to love, and most importantly how to love God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7
On grace: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
The theme of kids camp this week was “The Amazing Race”, but the team made the logo so that it could also look like “Amazing Grace”. That was pretty much right on, because we sure learned about grace! I think we as staff probably learned more about God’s abounding grace this week than the campers did. God was so at work here all week, just pouring out his favor and mercies on us, and teaching us all along to rely on him because he is sufficient for us in anything and everything.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
