July 14, 2014

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." I Timothy 4:12

I was blessed by the teens this morning as they shared the joys of their camp experiences this past week. The friendships forged, the memories made and the spiritual decisions nailed down in the evening rallies.

As I listened to their enthusiasm over their recently strengthened faith, I prayed that they would follow through on the commitments made last week.

I wonder how many of the people in the congregation believe there will be long lasting results in the lives of these young people.

It certainly can happen!

It was fifty years ago that I went forward during a camp service and made a total surrender of my life to God and prayed for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Four years after that I went off to Indiana Wesleyan University to study for the ministry and four years beyond that I became the Pastor at Princeton Wesleyan Church in Princeton, Illinois. Two years after that, again at a camp service, I was ordained as an Elder in The Wesleyan Church of America,

So, fifty years ago at a camp service I made Jesus my Lord and forty years ago Elders of the Illinois District laid hands on me a prayed for me as I was ordained.

If it can happen for me it can happen for each of our teens! I pray it will! I pray that this fresh taste of God's goodness will inspire them to hunger for more of His presence in their lives.

One of the major factors that contributed to maintaining my spiritual commitments made at camp those Summers was a strong healthy local church where I was taught, loved, encouraged prayed for, prayed over and developed in my faith. I could not have become what I am today if it had not been for those faithful folks at Silver Lake Wesleyan Church in Silver Lake, Indiana.

I have a challenge for you. Will you be that sort of people for our teens?

Will you encourage them?

Will you believe in them?

Will you pray for them?

Will you set the example for them?

Will you work together with me continuing to build a strong church that e there for them as they grow and mature in their faith?