Delivered

I remember my first “Haunted House” experience. I was in first grade and the eighth graders put it on for the lower grades at school. We were to be guided through an obstacle course in the dark that was supposed to be scary. My brother Mike wanted to make it a memorable experience so he guided my group through personally and attempted to make it as scary as possible.

The other kids with us were indeed scared. I, however, was comforted by the fact that my brother was leading my group and I knew he would never let anything bad happen to me. His attempt to scare me backfired because I trusted him. When it was over I was the only one who wanted to go again!

Jesus taught us to pray, “…deliver us from evil.” (Mt. 6:13b). He came to save us not only from death but also from the evil that is around us. He can deliver us because He never leaves us. His promise is secure because of the relationship we have with Him.

When I was very young, eight years old, life was simple; I thought I had all of the answers. I went to church every Sunday and I learned what I was supposed to do to become a Christian.

Later, as I heard my Pastor preach about Jesus, I had a strange feeling inside that I didn't understand. I knew then that there was more to being a Christian than knowing what I was supposed to do.  I realized that thinking I had all of the answers was a sin, a rebellion against God.   One Sunday after church, I went outside to sit down in my father’s car and prayed very simply, "Lord Jesus, whatever You want me to do, I'll do it."

When I called on Jesus and gave my life to him, He forgave me of my sins, came into my heart, and gave me a new life that will never end.   As Romans 10:9 says, "If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (in control) and believe in your heart God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Jesus continues to teach me new things everyday as I talk with Him in prayer, listen to His Word, the Bible, tell people about Jesus, and care for others through my church.  You can receive this new life and know Jesus just as I do if you also will call on Jesus, confess your sins, and ask Him to be in control of your life.

Jesus also said, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16esv) Jesus wants to deliver us from evil from the inside out. Before we can ask for anything else we need to ask for a relationship with him. He is God’s only Son and when we pray to Him He becomes like our older brother guiding us through the evil that threatens us every day. 

Bro. Robin

Godly Leadership

We were playing on the parallel ladder when it happened. I was in the fourth grade and enjoyed swinging on the bars, seeing how fast I could travel the length. An eighth grader who was small for his age came by. Suddenly he started pulling kids off the bars. At first, we all thought it was funny. Then one girl started to cry. So, I told him to stop.

He shoved me. I shoved him back. He took a swing at me. I punched him in the shoulder and told him to stop, again. But, it was too late. We were surrounded by kids yelling, “fight!” His friends were giving him advice on how and where to hit me. My friends were stunned that I was in a fight with an eighth grader. He took another swing at me, which I dodged, and I punched him in the forehead. He was ready to quit but his friends kept urging him on.

Suddenly I felt someone grab me from behind. A man, a teacher, had me by the arm, and another teacher had him by the arm. We were both dragged to the superintendent’s office.

The Superintendent was Mr. Larkin. I knew him from church as well as school. He was a Sunday School teacher and the chairman of Deacons at our church. I respected him because my parents, and everyone I knew, respected him. The other boy was terrified to go to his office. I knew he was a fair man who would listen to my side of the story. The only thing I was afraid of was that I knew he would tell my dad and if I got a swat here I would get another one at home.

We were separated and Mr. Larkin listened to both of us tell our stories. He talked to the teachers and brought in some other students including some of the boys who urged on the fight. He concluded that we had both been pushed into the fight and gave the older boy a swat because he was older and should have known better. Then he gave me a calm explanation why fighting is not a good way to settle differences and if it happened again there would be more punishment. I knew what he meant and promised that it would never happen again.

The lesson I learned that day was not about fighting. It was about leadership. The other boy was led by the mob and made poor decisions. I was led by Mr. Larkin and other godly men at church who taught me by example and by lessons from God’s Word that there were better ways to solve problems.

Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “And lead us not into temptation…” Godly leadership is positive leadership. It is leadership that points us away from the temptations of popular opinions of the crowd. Godly leadership points us to the truth of God’s Word that will work in our lives. Who are the Godly leaders in your life? Are you a Godly leader?

Bro. Robin