The Hope of the Church

I'm at Kids Kamp. Tomorrow we go home. This week is the second of two solid weeks, 4 camps total.  It's been hot and it's been busy.  I'm serving as one of the boys deans.  We've had great services. I'm personally thankful for my wife Tonya, our family, and our team from Bethel and their ministry to the 5-7 year olds last week in camp 2. It was wonderful to see God use them so greatly after so much hard work.  This week, the district has conducted 2 camps under the ministry of Bill and Becky Harness.  If you aren't familiar with their ministry, let me encourage you to attend one of their services when you get an opportunity. After 4 kids camps, I've come to one conclusion.  There is hope for the Church.  Jesus said let the children come to me and do not hinder them because the kingdom of God belongs to these. It's happening right here in North Texas.

We've also had great leadership!   Rev. Duane and Sharon Swanson, the children's ministries directors for the North Texas District have done outstanding in providing a great set of camps for the children of the North Texas AG churches.  We've seen God work in the lives of children and adults.  Children have been saved, baptized in the Spirit, called to ministry and healed.

There is hope for the Church!  In just a few short years these children will be the ministers, youth ministers, missionaries and church members in ministry.  What a joy to see them connecting with God.  The future is bright for God's church, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will see great days ahead. Last night, as I looked at the hundreds of children and workers connecting with God, I thought of Jesus' prayer request for workers in Luke 10:2.

I found myself praying "Thank you Lord for answering your prayer request for laborers".  The opportunities for ministry are everywhere.  Where will God use you next?

A Love for Scripture

The B I B L E, that's the book for me!  I stand upon the word of God, the B I B L E!  As children we sang this song.  I'm curious how many generations of children sang that song.  There is something resident in that affirmation, namely:  That's the book for Me.  There appears to be a growing chasm between those who have a love for Scripture and those who do not.  Even though the Bible is more available than ever (online, software, e-books, phones, print, etc), there appears to be less reading, studying and thinking about the message of Scripture.  Although I think about this constantly, I'm not sure of the reasons why.  I suppose the abundance and availability of Scripture causes believers to take it for granted.  I also would guess that the message of the Gospel (Romans 10:9-10, Philippians 2:1-10) has been rehearsed and presented through so many different venues that there is a subtle familiarity that breeds contempt among the people of God.

In contrast to this spiritual neuroses, the Scripture makes great claims about its usefulness. Hover your mouse of the references and see the depth and breadth with which the Bible references itself on the claims that it makes.



Mark 12:10 (NASB)

Mark 15:28 (NASB)

Luke 4:21 (NASB)

John 2:22 (NASB)

John 7:38 (NASB)

John 7:42 (NASB)

John 17:12 (NASB)

John 19:24 (NASB)

John 19:28 (NASB)

John 19:36 (NASB)

John 19:37 (NASB)

John 20:9 (NASB)

Acts 1:16 (NASB)

Acts 8:32 (NASB)

Acts 8:35 (NASB)

Romans 4:3 (NASB)

Romans 9:17 (NASB)

Romans 10:11 (NASB)

Galatians 3:8 (NASB)

Galatians 3:22 (NASB)

1 Timothy 4:13 (NASB)

1 Timothy 5:18 (NASB)

2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB)

James 2:8 (NASB)

James 2:23 (NASB)

James 4:5 (NASB)

1 Peter 2:6 (NASB)

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB)

Consider the passion in the statement of these translators to the New American Standard Bible (NASB) about their work

New American Standard Bible (1995 Update) - Scriptural Promise

The New American Standard Bible has been produced with the conviction that the words of Scripture as originally penned in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek were inspired by God. Since they are the eternal Word of God, the Holy Scriptures speak with fresh power to each generation, to give wisdom that leads to salvation, that men may serve Christ to the glory of God.

Paul encouraged Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6)   We have His word.  Let's do our part in setting the world on fire with His message