Hello VBS folks,
Over the next few weeks I will be blogging about 8 things God gives us to build hope. These are important hope builders that children, their families, VBS shepherds and the VBS leadership team need to hide away in our hearts to fuel our faith.
An important promise given to us in God's word for a foundation of hope is found in the Old Testament:
Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
God has plans for everyone no matter where they are or how old they are:
If they are not saved God has a plan of salvation - John 3:16
If they are saved God has a plan for them to grow as a Christian - John 15:5
If they are a growing Christian God has a plan for them to spread the Gospel - Matthew 28:18-20
God also gives us a future! Jesus came to give life and that in the fullest. Not only eternal life but an understanding about life-in-the-here-and-now. A future where one can know who they are( a child of the living God),and what they were made to do(discover/use their abilities to serve God and others), all the while knowing that God will guide them along the path of life! As they experience His provision and protection along the way they will learn not to expect disaster and hopelessness from God, but good things from their heavenly Father. That is the Biblical definition of hope; expecting good things from God in the face of life's challenges.
Our eternal future begins with the return of Christ to this earth when He will bring an end to poverty, absentee fathers, addicted parents, child neglect and abuse forever! John the revelator saw the great hope of the eternal future:
Revelation 21 (New Living Translation)
The New Jerusalem
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.[a] 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Well, there you have it. A great place to start talking about hope for kids in College Corner. God has a plan for them and a future beyond what they see around them in their daily life. God's plan for Community VBS is to communicate this good news to the kids this summer! Pray we are successful and that the Holy Spirit takes the hope home to their hearts!
