February 15, 2008

Champions

For the second year, our church is using a prayer guide put out by the Waymakers. This year's emphasis....during the Lenten season....is on praying for your city. Today's devotional and verse made my heart swell.

Isaiah 44:3-5 (The Message)

1-5 "But for now, dear servant Jacob, listen—
yes, you, Israel, my personal choice.
God who made you has something to say to you;
the God who formed you in the womb wants to help you.
Don't be afraid, dear servant Jacob,
Jeshurun, the one I chose.
For I will pour water on the thirsty ground
and send streams coursing through the parched earth.
I will pour my Spirit into your descendants
and my blessing on your children.
They shall sprout like grass on the prairie,
like willows alongside creeks.
This one will say, 'I am God's,'
and another will go by the name Jacob;
That one will write on his hand 'God's property'—
and be proud to be called Israel."


I had gone to pick up Emma from school yesterday afternoon and noticed a vivid white cross on her black beanie from far away. She wears her faith....her vibrant love for Jesus....on her sleeve, literally. On hats, shirts, sleeves, backpack, notebooks. And she speaks her faith too. She is quite genuine and remembers Who she is representing most of the time. ;) The picture of her in that hat walking towards me came to mind as I read the last part of the verse,

This one will say, 'I am God's,'
and another will go by the name Jacob;
That one will write on his hand 'God's property'—
and be proud to be called Israel.


Even though there are a lot of people out there who wear the cross or put fish symbols on their cars and make us cringe inside (though not all), because their actions do not meet up with their symbolage, there is a generation rising who are wearing God's name. They are proud to be His and they are beginning to sprout up like grass on a prairie.

I hope that makes your heart swell too. And I hope you know a kid like that. Encourage them and pray for them to rise up and be the champions of our faith for their generation.....well good grief, for OUR generation too! From the way God told it to Isaiah, it sounds like HIS heart is swelling for them too!

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