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| Living in the Strength of God ... |
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| Serving King and Kingdom |
June 16, 2009 |
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Greetings!
Thank you for praying for, serving at and giving to Royal Family Kids Camp (RFKC) 2009. We had an incredible camp with many children falling in love with Jesus. In fact, one of the campers with the most challenging behaviors, a 7 year old boy named Lionel, displayed this love when he asked a staff member to help him write down his friends names.
Lionel asked for help writing down the names of children and staff in his RFKC journal. Lionel wanted help listing people he felt became his friends. As Lionel got to the end of his friend list he stopped and thought as if he had forgotten someone. After a few moments, he asked how to spell God's name and then began to write down "God" at the bottom of the list. Our staff member was full of joy seeing that this young boy "got it" that God was his friend. Imagine our staff member's elation when the young boy looked up and said, "No, cross that out and move it to the top. God should be at the top of the list!"
Lionel learned just who God is in his life. Likewise, you must know who you are as a follower of God but more importantly you must know whose you are! You are a son or daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are someone special with a mission and a message. My question is ... where is God on your list?
Often, we fail to grasp just "whose we are" and therefore depend on human wisdom, behavior, thoughts and others for help. This is where we become more like the world, or religion, and less like Jesus. During times of decision we must decide to follow "whose we are" and not the world. If not, we will fall victim to our own designs for life which rarely match God's intended purpose and plan. And, we will move God down the list and put someone or something in His place.
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What is your source?
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: "Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. 8 Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars." 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time.
~ 2 Chronicles 16:7-10 ~ |
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Serving in Strength and Trusting in Faith
Every year at RFKC I am reminded about serving in the strength of God. You see, at RFKC it is impossible to serve in your own strength. You just can't do it. There is too little sleep, too much activity, and too great a need to have God in control. I am so blessed by the many individuals that sacrifice their time, talent, and treasure to make RFKC happen. Nonetheless, it is God who is moving in and through His people that makes RFKC work.
In 2 Chroinicles 16:7-10, King Asa does not follow the heart of God but relies on human power and thought. Asa is reminded that God is looking for people to show Himself strong. In fact, Asa is told that God not only wants to show Himself strong but strong "on behalf of" those whose heart is loyal to Him! God desires to seek and find people that will simply trust Him and His Word and act in faith with Him as their source of strength. This is what happens at RFKC and why every year is somehow better than previous years.
RFKC reminds me that we have a choice each day. We can choose to run the race of faith in our own strength or God's. We can create our own religion or follow the God that died to have relationship. We can remain loyal to our flesh and emotions or God's Spirit and faith. The choice is yours. Will you be like Asa and make a treaty with the world to enforce your plan or will you follow the heart of God by being loyal to His word and His plan?
Thanks again for sending, serving, and praying. RFKC 2009 was a great success because God was in control and His people were loyal to His word and ways. God showed up at RFKC and showed Himself strong through loyal followers.
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For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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