Issue 1196 – Stellar – July 16, 2023
After helping at the kid’s summer camp (VBS), I am back. We modified and used a purchased curriculum that focused on how “Stellar” Jesus is and how we can be stellar in showing others Jesus’ love.
While much of the decor was space-related (kudos to the team for excellent work and creativity), Kathy was in charge of the Bible adventure area. That required five settings from Bible times, one for each day’s adventure.
Kathy was the Bible Story Lady and crowd controller (there was an incredible team of teens helping with each of the groups). I assisted by being a set construction assistant, gopher (go for this, go for that) and acting out a character for 4 of the 5 days.
I was blessed to get to know many children and teens better during the week.
The first day involved intricate layers of lighting to achieve the night skies, various constellations, angelic appearances and more for the birth narrative. Others were simpler, such as when Zacchaeus climbed the tree, encountered Jesus and was transformed. Each day required multiple “sets” within the same room. The Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem covered the crucifixion and resurrection, another, and the story of Philip and the Ethiopian.
There were many other stations and activities throughout the week to keep the children entertained and to teach them. Those other stations all required volunteers and many hours of loving work.
With more than 50 kids in attendance, some were well-churched, and the lessons were a refresher. Others had little if any, exposure to the gospel. Time will tell as to what fruit the week will bear. The children enjoyed the week and heard the gospel truth.
The freeing thing about telling others about Jesus is that we are not responsible for the results. It is Holy Spirit who goes before us and after us to do the work of transformation. Our job is to be faithful in sharing.
The apostle Paul puts it this way.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 2 Corinthians 3:6-9
We don’t compete for souls like scalps to be collected and displayed. We partner with other believers for the overall effort. It is God who provides the harvest and receives the glory.
No one, except the Spirit, knows which seeds will come to fruition and how long it will take. It may take many exposures to the truth, and no fruit may appear until a deathbed conversion. For others, it happens early in life, and they spend a lifetime loving and serving the Lord. Wretched, evil people can be saved, and seemingly nice people will rebel against God even in the end.
We sow, we water, and God provides the harvest. He alone knows who will be saved. It isn’t our job to make that determination. Our role is to be faithful. Many of the seeds we plant won’t see fruition in our lifetime or until long after we have no more contact with that person. In fact, our only contact with them may be a brief one-time planting or watering.
Our task is to be faithful and share the truth with others in word, deed, and lifestyle.
May you be stellar in sharing the truth.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.
Did you know that we have an email version? Same great content but in a different format. Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/ gleanings-1
_____________
______________________________
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
___________________________________________
#love #peace #hope #Gleanings #theWord #devotional #gospel #death #trinity #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #KevinCorbin #god #life #Jesus #faith #holySpirit #YHWH #bible #christian #Christ #Father #prayer #VBS #camp #Stellar #birthNarrative #seedPlanting #TriumphalEntry #baptism #Philip #Ethiopian #zacchaeus #2Corinthians3