Vacation Bible School - By Bro. Matthew

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Two words stand out in the passage above... 

Encourage and Deceitfulness. 

If there ever was a time that we were in need of encouragement, it's now. Especially for our young people. Without it, I believe it will be extremely difficult for them to stand against sin's deceitfulness. The streets are full of deceiving influences that lead to a sinful lifestyle. If we don't take a stand and encourage our young people...

"The Streets Win."

Today is Wednesday and we're in the middle of Vacation Bible School (VBS). Traditionally, churches spend a week or so during the summer to target children. The idea is to create a special time that focuses on attention to them. It's a great concept, but personally I think it falls way short. First, a week is not enough time. It's a good start and a great way to attract attention... but the time spent with children should be ongoing. There shouldn't be a week of special time. We should make all time with children special. If anything, VBS time should be extra-special. Second, attention to children should be an obligation... not a set-aside. Our young people are all too important for us not to be attentive of them.


Think for a moment if we carried the mindset to be attentive, outside of the set-aside time of VBS or the other sessions of youth ministry.

I say again... 

The streets are full of deceiving influences that lead to a sinful lifestyle. If we don't take a stand and encourage our young people... "The Streets Win." 

The vigil of the streets to watch for opportunity to employ sin's deceitfulness, will ever be ongoing... even when our efforts are not. The result of no effort at all, or one that is not diligently active, is not good. Either we fight for our children, or the streets, and sin, will kill them. 

For far to long we have accepted a position and a picture of despair. When we realize that there are alternate views and other pictures to focus on, the possibilities become far reaching. 

A barber in Iowa has chosen an alternate view, and is using the power of encouragement on a daily basis. His effort should not only be applauded, but expanded. Our children need to be shown that we believe in them. Taking the time to not only talk to them, but to listen as well... this helps to build their sense of self worth.  

A Free Hair Cut for Reading

Quite often we allow our day to day lives, and perceived position as adults to hinder the time we put into relationship with young people... even our own children. They need, and deserve more input from us. Every day, the kids are watching us. They watch how we behave, what we say, and what we do more so than any of the so called role models thrust forth from society. What we present before them, and our treatment of them speaks volumes. The pictures we paint need to be positive.  

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Brothers welcoming brothers Back to School. 

Vacation Bible School Time, as well as, All Youth Ministry Time, should be a special time for kids. It's also important that during these times, the child's impressionable mind interacts with grownups who have made a commitment to love the Lord. That's why we encourage the young at heart (adult folk) to attend as well. Children learn their best lessons from caring adults. We must learn to include our young people in our world and take the time to be a part of theirs. 

Our theme this year is... 

The Lord Will Provide 

Not only will God provide for the future well being of the children, but He is the only one who can also provide willing adults that understand what must be done for them. It's a matter of trusting God and taking action on that trust.


We're looking at the story of Moses and the children of Israel, and how the Lord provided for them. I think the kids have been listening and for me, it's good to see the interaction they have with us adults. They've also made T-shirts as their art project. From the looks of things, the message seems to be getting through. 

Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 

The world is filled with all sorts of material. God has provided wealth and resources for all of us. All of these things were in place long before our arrival and for the most part, they remain long after our depart. Life, on the other hand, is short lived... at least in this world. Time, a thing that is also limited, is life's governor, and because of the limited amount of time we have, we only have so many chances at gaining knowledge. Wise use of our time and a better understanding of what we learn is the fabric that makes life meaningful. 

Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 

This world has conditioned us to chase after material things. In doing so, many have neglected the most valuable thing we have. Our young people represent life itself. If we are to ever create value in life... We must place value in our children. 

Just like the elevation of these steps, the "Body of Christ" is a community made of people on different levels.
From the aged and seasoned on down to the new and freshly picked.
We all bring something to the table and the blend is a compliment of flavor. 

For A People To Become Rich, They Must Look Not On Putting Dollars In Their Pocket... 
But At The Value Of Investing In Their Children. 

Blessings

Deacon Matthew Milam II
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