The Fire Shut Up In Our Bones

There are several young men and a few young women that God has placed in my life who refresh my soul.  In 2005 when God started Mercy Abounds with the very first Bible Study known as The Next Door Bible Study, He blessed me in ways I couldn't imagine.  I had never been a teacher and somewhere around twenty young men and women attended this brand new Bible Study which began in my one bedroom apartment.  Over the next 5 years I would have the privilege of teaching these wonderful teens.  Some came to know Christ.  Some grew in wisdom and depth of relationship with  Christ and some left never to return.  However, of those that remained, most are continuing in their walk in faith and most of them are ministering to others somehow.  Many times they return to help me minister to those who are just beginning their encounter with Christ.

Jeremy, who attended the Bible study toward the end of it's days is teaching the Friday Night LIGHT boys.  Greg comes back to help with his UTurn crew.  ReNee is a faithful leader of the Friday Night LIGHT girls and has helped with the Mercy Abounds outreaches and Easter Egg Hunts.  Marcus leads a Bible Study at college, makes evangelistic videos on you tube and is a beginning minister of college age students at Faithpoint Community Church. He comes back to help with Mercy Abounds outreaches and Easter Egg Hunts.  Alec who attended toward the very end of the Bible Study is also making evangelistic videos on you tube and coming back to help with Mercy Abounds outreaches.  Michael who attended was a faithful leader of the Saturday Bible Study we held in my home for our neighborhood and has faithfully helped with Mercy Abounds outreaches.  Michael recently returned home from The World Race which is young missionaries who travel to 11 different countries in 11 months.  I am so glad to have had the privilege of seeing these young men and women grow in their relationships with Christ.

I enjoy when we talk and they tell me, with such passion and excitement, what they are learning from the scriptures, especially if they are about to teach or witness.  I love to hear them describe our God and His faithfulness, goodness and provision.  I am encouraged when I hear them exhort others to stand up in their faith for God and to accept the challenges God gives us!  My heart swells within my chest and my smile widens and I just want to shout praises to the Most High God when I hear them confirm decisions and see them plant their feet for Jesus!  I know about the fire that is shut up in their bones and compels them to tell the world about You.  I am so fortunate, so truly blessed to know this incredible group of young people.  It is an honor to be called Aunt Jamie.  It is an honor to get to participate in their lives. 

I hope, with all my heart, that you will invest in some people around you, young or old!  I pray you will share Jesus with them!  You have no idea the blessing God holds for you if you will tell of His goodness and grace.  I urge you to plant seeds of the Gospel.  Some may never hear you.  Some will never speak to you again.  Some may even curse you for it.  Oh, but some will hear. Some will believe.  Some will even be saved.  And some, I dearly hope, will be added to your quiver, empty or full, and you will feel as I do.  Simply, completely, overwhelmingly loved and blessed and proud to be so.  Thank God for His unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ who gives returns we do not deserve.  Thank you, Jesus, for my kids.  The ones I didn't mention also, who I am just as proud of, no matter what.  I praise You for each of them and what they are to me.  I love You, Jesus, for giving me what I did not deserve and what I can never repay.  Thank You so much!

And thank You, Jesus, for my leaders.  May You make us ever stronger and more committed to serving them so they may come to a saving knowledge of You.  So they may grow strong in Your Word to be able to stand in the armor of God against this wicked age.  Amen.

To God be every glory!
Jamie