Day 2 (Sunday)
I'm at Magaliesburg at an Ambassador club youth camp (ages 16-21). Was invited to be a speaker for the camp by the clubs leader from Berea Seventh-day Adventist church. I'm privileged to speak on the camps theme: On Christ the Solid Rock. :)
Its only been about 2 days and I have already been seeing the hand of God. My personal burden for the weekend has been to set before the young people a clear and practical understanding of how they can have a real and abiding relationship with Christ. It was never the intention of Christ that the christian experience must be one of a sometimes in/ sometimes out experience, but one where we would abide in Him (John 15:4). With this intention in mind, truly I have been seeing the hand of God in a mighty manner. From the presentations (with another speaker), the discussions and the personal lessons from devotion thus far, I am impressed by the campers' sincere love for Jesus and a desire to live above the status squo of a Christian experience that is such in name alone.
Part of the reason I am very passionate about "Ambassadors", is primarily because it was at that stage in my life (the late teenage years) that I decided to go all the way with Christ. God has granted me an experience that has made abiding in Him a reality and I wish the same for them.
Hope to share a few of the lessons learnt as the weekend continues, (camp ends on Tuesday 16th.) Have a bit more time to blog since "school is closed." A few highlights so far:
1. Christ is a solid rock.
How I wish that this fact may be more clearly understood. Correctness of doctrine, of every reform and creed finds its foundation on this rock. All these, regardless of how much zeal they are adopted with, outside of the experience one may have at the foot of the cross, have no saving effect. It is a union with Jesus that makes these of value:"Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end." The Desire of Ages p.324.1
2. The power of influence
Through some of the personal discussions with the guys, I was reminded of how really far reaching the power of influence goes. Won't go into much detail here, but it must be known that ones life has a power for good or for evil that reaches far beyond his/her estimation. On one account: A young lady was telling me of the way God has used certain individuals I know to influence her in her Christian experience for the better... and she has never even met them personally. :)3. The everlasting Gospel must be easy to understand.
Many have never experienced what it means to have Christ do a work of transforming their hearts from one of hatred, envy, unkindness etc: not because they didn't believe that it was possible, but because of having no idea how to enter into that mysterious experience. At a point in my life this was my experience... In another case it is because of how vaguely/complicatedly that way is taught and expressed. (*Praying over posting something on this...)Nevertheless, if God wants to save children, the gospel must be easy enough to be unfolded to them, at least enough for them to experience it.
Other thoughts are still forming themselves properly in my mind as I observe, interact and learn the lessons God is bringing me to realise as the weekend continues. Look forward to seeing what God has in store for the coming days...
"Brethren, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25
No comments:
Post a Comment