From Megan this week

The first three verses of Psalm 127 have been such a blessing to me lately: “Unless the Lord builds a house, they who build it labor in vain; unless the Lord guards a city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is futile for you to rise up early, to stay up late, to eat the bread of painful labor; for He gives to His beloved sleep.” I am so thankful for this reminder of how trustworthy and faithful our God truly is. No matter how hard we work at whatever we set our mind to, He is ultimately in control.

This weekend at Club Hope, I’m planning a special time just for the girls who have been coming to Hope for Kids for years and are now in their teens. I’m bringing my espresso maker and a stack of cute journals and planning to just sit with them in the kitchen at the Mission, talk to them about the Lord, and be there for any conversations that are ready to happen. I’ve been thinking about what to share with these girls for weeks, and what comes most naturally to me is just to throw together an outline around what I think would touch their hearts the most. But I don’t want to share something with them just because I think it would help them. I want to let the Lord show His love to them through whatever topic and whatever words He gives me. Unless He leads, our labor is in vain. As hard as we work to protect the ones we care about, He is the One who guards His children. No flat-out early morning or late night could prepare us better for whatever is in front of us than the simple act of surrendering our work to Him and trusting Him to help us work out the details. It is so humbling, and so safe at the same time, to know that God is in control!

Please be praying for this new teen time, and for all of our volunteers and staff as we prepare to share Jesus with our kids this weekend.

• Megan

From Erika this week

I am excited to share a new story with the kids this coming Club Hope. I am writing a series that will allow the kids to be a part of each story and in the interaction come out learning a truth that will change their lives. How do I know? Because the truths have changed MY life!
Last month I shared with the kids story number one about some twins- a boy and a girl- who were gripped with fear. They had little knowledge of God, but knew they did not want to continue living a life of fear. When they learned that they could ask God for wisdom, they found he answered with some clues that led them to a mountain path. At the end of the path they found a road leading to the right and one to the left. Each road led to a castle- kingdoms that each had their own ruler. The kids in attendance (about 25!) got to play the part of the twins and question each ruler about their kingdom. When they asked I would first answer for the bad kingdom (not telling them which was which) and then answer for the good. I am telling the truth....I got so choked up answering some of the questions on behalf of the "good ruler" because I am so grateful to be a part of God's kingdom! My king, Jesus, is so close to me. Kids asked questions like: What can you do in your castle? How many people live there? What do you want in return? How many servants do you have? Do you have a lot of rules? How long have you been around? What kind of promises do you make? (I challenge you to think how you would answer!)

They were good questions and I was honored to answer on behalf of Jesus. When the final clue came drifting down on a piece of paper- it held the answer to the question about how to live without fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. I was able to tell them that only one ruler actually loves all of his subjects and that it was HIS love that would drive away all of the twins' (and their own!) fears. They all decided that HIS kingdom was the one to choose!
Please pray for me as the story continues next Club Hope. This time they will learn about the Secret Place of the Most High. The place they can always go to be safe and find peace and true love.
These stories are coming from my own personal walk with Jesus. My mind goes to the tabernacle and the walk from the outer courts, to the Holy Place, and finally (thanks to the cross and the torn veil!) right into the Holy of Holies. I've imagined myself walking in there. There is no sickness, pain of any kind, hurt, fear, anxiety, or depression in that place. But it is a learned thing to get there. And He will be the one leading you there through the promises in His Word! I am opting to use the imagery of Psalm 91 (the secret place of the Most High) for the kids instead of the Tabernacle, but it is the same idea. I hope you let God's Word come alive for you!

From Jeb this week

I would like to begin by asking all readers to take an extra moment from your busy day and read Romans 11:33-12:3. In light of the Supreme God that we serve, I am moved to call out to each of you this day to put yourself into perspective. The passage begins with distinguishing the Infinite God from the finite man, for the last three verses in chapter 11 can only be said of Almighty God. However, the following three verses show exactly what our only acceptable response is: total sacrifice of our complete selves in holiness to God. We are to be transformed from thinking and acting like the rest of the world to thinking and acting with a mindset from God. Maybe this looks like not measuring our days in $/hour, whether it’s $10/hr or $1,000/hr (Luke 12:15), and starting to spend every hour consciously living a sacrificially holy life with the intent of completing reasonable service to the God whose wisdom and knowledge is infinitely beyond ours. I praise the Lord for you and hope we can together encourage each other to good works (Hebrews 10:24).

— Jeb

From Cameron this week

One thing that I’ve recently been challenged with is this question: “How am I demonstrating Christ to those around me?” Though it may seem like a simple question, it dives deep into the motives, thoughts, and heart of the one asking it. Christ was (and is) the ultimate example of perfect sacrificial love, incredible selflessness, true humility, and complete submission to the Father’s will. As a believer, through the grace of God alone, we are given a brand new identity (Col. 1:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20). 

With this new identity, we are given the responsibility to represent Christ! We are called to be a light on a hill (Matthew 5:16). We are commanded to love one another (John 13:34-35). We are compelled to fight sin, and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17,25). 

With the endless number of people that we come into contact with day in and day out, imagine how many would be pointed toward Christ if each time, we were demonstrating Him to the fulness of our ability. Not only is the unbeliever directed toward God when this is the case, but even the saved soul is encouraged and motivated to keep their eyes on the prize and run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1-3)!  

As someone that is called to evangelize to, minister to and serve children, this question is incredibly challenging to me. Kids can often be so perceptive, and notice way more than they are given credit for. Because of this, they NEED to feel Christ’s love. They NEED to know they are cared for, they NEED to know they are seen and understood. I am determined to demonstrate Christ to them to the best of my ability. He is the One and only One who can truly fill every need and desire of the heart. What a wonderful Savior we have!

I challenge you (and myself) this week to ask yourself that question. How am I demonstrating Christ to those around me? 

1 Corinthians 15:58 

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

On Megan’s Heart This Week

Something that never fails to blow me away when I really think about it is this: God delights in His people. He delights in me!

“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” - Psalm 16:3

He loves each of His children far, far more than any human mind could ever comprehend. He loves to think about us and take care if us. I’ve done absolutely nothing to deserve this love, but He protects, forgives, and cherishes me anyway.

If I could share one thing with all the children we reach that could shape the foundation for the rest of their lives, it would be this: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment…We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:18a,19)

These kids often have so many reasons to be afraid, but we serve a God of unfailing love. He loves to hear our prayers! When you have the opportunity to remind a child of this, it’s amazing to see the difference in their prayer.

— Megan