Forever Changed
During the Confirmation retreat, Sammie told our Confirmands that his basketball coach told them if they had any energy left at the end of the game they did not give it their all. Same with the Holy Spirit. He tied it into the story of David who told the king, “I’ll do it.” The whole army was scared but David knew that the same God, that delivered him from the lion and the bear, would deliver him from the giant! David knew he had a different power through Jesus and it is a power we cannot contain. The more we lean on God, the more we trust God. The more we trust God, the more we trust God!
The Holy Spirit is our advocate and will teach us. John 14: 11, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” When we receive the Holy Spirit our life becomes different whether we feel it or not. It is not about how you feel it is simply a fact! Accepting Jesus Christ is the number one decision of your life! He is our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit is our Helper. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts that only God gets the glory for. We just stand back and wonder what just happened. Our youth were told to never let the resources we see be the size of our vision.
Because there are going to be tough times, distractions and times when we are lost, our youth made declarations similar to the Apostles Creed, which states what we, as Christians, believe. Two of the youth shared theirs with me and said I could share what they wrote. They were to complete “I believe” sentences regarding God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the church and living as a Christian. “I believe God works in GREAT WAYS. I believe that Jesus Christ died for us. I believe in the Holy Spirit and that it is in us. I believe in the church and that we can work and grow together. I believe that living as a Christian, people must worship and praise the Lord of Heaven Above.” “I believe GOd is powerful and loving. I believe Jesus Christ is the Holy Spirit. I believe the Holy Spirit is great. I believe the church is my home. I believe that living as a Christian I must obey and worship Jesus Christ as the only One and God.”
That night the youth walked, one by one, to the cross and had time to reflect on the weekend. They had the opportunity to make a commitment to Jesus or to recommit their lives to Jesus. It was a wonderful and precious time to be able to pray with those youth. Sunday morning, Pastor Chris, challenged them to be ready to share their faith. Mark 16: 15, “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” Mike was right, lives have been forever changed and now these youth can go out and be disciples. So proud of our confirmands!