Good morning, and a most blessed Thursday morning to you.

Last night we kicked off Wednesday Night Alive… “Oh the Places We'll Go.”  It was such a fun time, with so many kids and adults engaging with God's Word and with one another;.  To see the Holy Spirit at work in his people is such a joyous time. It’s such a blessing to be able to come together and continue to grow and learn with one another.  And it is so exciting to be able to share God's Word in a very interactive way with the kids of our congregation.  

When thinking about the kids in our congregation, we can't help but think of Paul and his relationship with young Timothy. He had such a special relationship with Timothy, and such a fondness for him.  His letters to Timothy certainly are an encouragement for us today. God's Word always matters in all times and in all circumstances. It's so incredible to consider how much Paul really cared for Timothy, and how much he valued him in the Lord.  

1 Timothy 4:12 Paul writes, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Paul did not take for granted the work that God was doing in Timothy's life, and the work that God would do through Timothy. We cannot take for granted the work that God is doing in our own young people's lives, and what he can and will do through them. These kids are part of the body of Christ.  And we have the joy of teaching them God’s Word, and leading them in life. We know that God can do amazing things in and through them.  They are missionaries in Grapevine, just like you and me.  They are missionaries in this world. It is so exciting to think that the young people of Living Word have the opportunity to be used by the Spirit of God to share his love and good news of forgiveness. 

One very joyful thing regarding the youth, that I think is to be greatly valued, is that there is a sense of openness that they have to being able to share . For them, it's not as scary as sharing can be as adults.  So I want us to lift up in prayer these young people of Living Word.  Praying that they continue to grow in faith, that God continues to use them in his mission, and that they are indeed amazing little missionaries in Grapevine and beyond.

Let’s pray:   Lord, we thank you so much for calling these young people to be your disciple and your missionaries. Lord, guide them by your Spirit.  Keep their hearts and their minds open to your Word, to what you have in store for them. Keep them safe and secure in your love, so that they can go forth with boldness to share of your good news.  Lord, protect them, guide them, and help us to teach them, and lead them in accordance with your will, in accordance with your Word.  We thank you so much for the time that we had last night, and the time that we get every week with these young people.  Guide our Wednesday Night Alive by your Spirit.  Let us continue to grow in faith, hope, and love; with one another and towards you, in service and love with one another through your Spirit.  Lord, we lift all of this to you in the awesome name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I cannot wait to worship with you again this Sunday in God's house, in his love and in his Spirit, as his people.

God bless!

Pastor Malinak