YOUTH CAMP 2012

Hume Lake, Monterey, Mass.

August 16-18

 

An Epic & Unforgettable Encounter

GEN NOW STYLE!

Pint Sized Hero!

Power verse: 2 Corinthians 6:2

I don’t know about you but I have completely enjoyed this latest series by Pastor Romano on “pint sized heroes.” You could probably say it’s because I enjoy watching and reading about certain Marvel and D.C. characters such as, Superman, Batman, and the Hulk. You might say I enjoy this series because I have recently been watching the show 24; which idealizes the journey of one man (pause) (Jack “the man” Bauer) as he thwarts evil at every turn and rises above the possible destruction of his nation to fight another day. Or you could think that this series has been so interesting to me because of that cool slide show Pastor Romano showed during the first night when he kicked the series off.

Truly, I would prefer to appeal to another note. The note that sits on the inside of everyone that is reading this devotional. You know what I am talking about and I know you know because I have felt it too. It’s that desire to watch such movies as The Avengers, or the Amazing Spiderman because all odds are against the good guys but you know they will come through in the end. Or why do you day dream about scoring the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl at the last second, leading your team to victory? It’s because you want to be a hero and I know why. God has created you with the purpose to be heroes, even if you are pint sized☺.

Do you remember when our story began? Remember back in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 1? We were created in His image according to His likeness. Or to put it plainly; we were created to be like God! Don’t think this to be arrogant because it’s not. It’s actually what God wants from you…to take Him at His word. We must be of the mentality of “If God said it then it is so.” In Hebrews 4:12 the bible explains the power in God’s word, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” 1 Peter 1:23-25 says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower fades: But the word of the LORD endures forever.”

It’s God’s word that will stand during the final days and this is important because it’s God’s word that declares you to be heroes. Trust me, we all face opposition, failures and difficulties throughout life. Even so, neither we, nor life can be the measuring stick by which we judge ourselves. If I was to judge myself by myself then I wouldn’t be writing this devotional right now, nor would I even be in the church. I’ve messed up too many times and have fallen short of God’s standard too many times. God calls us to judge ourselves by putting our faith in Christ and not in our experiences. Come on, you know I’m talking to you! When you begin to place your faith in Christ, all of a sudden, those mistakes seem to fade into the background.

When studying the bible I came across this terminology of canon. No I’m not talking about the thing that shoots cannon balls. Lol! In reference to the scriptures, it’s referred to as a measuring stick or a standard to judge something by. During the time of the early church, church leaders used this process to decide which scriptures should make up the Bible we use today. We must make sure that our canon, the one that goes on in our minds, is the one that lines up with the Bible. When the Bible is your standard, and the truth of Christ’s wonderful Gospel guides you, you can rightfully say I’m not a failure, sinner, a mistake, unworthy, ugly, fat, stupid, a disappointment, or not good enough. According to God’s word I am a hero, complete, justified, free, blameless, forgiven, and holy in His sight.

This week I implore you to throw yourself into His word and lay hold of that for which Christ has lay hold of you. It is here you will see who God has said that you are. You have no restraints; there is nothing holding you back. Why not you? Why not now? You could be the living hero that God has made you to be. Look around… God has already given you the green light and everything you need to complete your mission. It’s time to step up and out by being pint sized heroes in your homes and schools today.

Love your friendly neighborhood Spiderman,

(Pause) Travis Johnson ☺