DAY 15

How do you encourage one another?

As Sara and Joey were on their way out to the concession stand between periods they passed a man cornering one of the boys on the team in the bottom row of the bleachers.

“I don’t care what you say Michael, You weren’t hustling,” he yelled. Next play I’d better see some action, do you get it?” Michael looked down and shuffled his feet, nose running, “Yeesss Dad,” he stuttered.

A while later the game was on in full force as the crowd of parents shouted encouragement to their kids.

The Panthers missed the puck, as the biggest boy on the Braves intercepted the play. He immediately passed it to Michael, who took the puck down the ice toward the net. In that moment he looked very smooth.

“Yes, Michael that’s more like it!” shouted his dad from the stands. “Finally!”

But the closer Michael came to his dad, the more he seemed to loose focus.

As he neared the net he panicked and passed the puck right into the path of one of the Panther’s players.

“WHAT?” His dad threw up his hands in disgust. “Ugh! You’re killing me, Michael.”

Have you ever seen something like that? Have you ever felt like Michael? What you do is just not good enough. So you go out and try again, and each time a bit of you dies. It could be in sports, it could be in school, or even out playing with your friends on the street. Inside you make up your mind that you will just perform and pretend and keep on. But inside a fire of anger is burning where another log is added to the fire every time you are put down and feel like you have to be something other than yourself.

I’m sure you are not surprised that God doesn’t act like that. But let’s look at HOW differently He responds to us!  The first thing that God did after he created Adam and Eve was that He blessed them. They were created to be blessed and be a blessing. Someone described a blessing as “genuine acceptance”.  In other words, God delights in you, JUST as you are. He created you with your unique personality, and gifts, and said it was good. It brings Him joy when you do the things He created you to do. It doesn’t matter if you are different than those around you or in your family. If He had wanted you to be the same He would have created you that way.

When my son was a baby, I used to watch him sleep in his crib. He looked so cute all snuggled up in his yellow sleeper, and I could feel my heart well up with love for him. He didn’t need to DO anything, just be.

In the same way God delights in us, just because we are His creation. Did you know that in Zephaniah 3:17 it tells us that God literally rejoices over us.

The Lord your God is with you, a victorious warrior.  He will take great delight in you.  He will quiet you with His love.  He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

“The Hebrew word for ‘rejoice’ in this verse is pronounced ‘gool’ in English. It means to ‘spin around’. It’s like jumping and doing a 360-degree turn in the air. Our God actually rejoices over you. That is like Him doing a ‘360’ in the air while shouting stuff like “Go, Carolin Go! Atta girl, you can do it, that’s my girl!”

One thing that the Lord has spoken to us during the consecration call is that He wants us to stop pretending to be something that we are not. He wants us to stop “performing”. He is giving you permission to be exactly who you are. Each one of us has been given a piece of the puzzle and that is why we need each other.  For example I really don’t feel comfortable talking in front of a large group of people and can’t run for beans! But I can write. Now maybe you like to give speeches or like to run. It doesn’t matter! God rejoices over each of us. He doesn’t ask a cat to fly now does he? Imagine… that would be funny.

But He does ask each of us to be ready to listen to Him and to obey. He doesn’t want us to be lazy loafing around playing computer games, or watching T.V. all day. He wants us to be on our toes so to speak ready to take off with what ever He places on your heart. YOUR destiny, tailor made for you! He is inviting You to be His hands and feet in the world that He has placed you in and bring His kingdom there. All the while He will be gooling over you! “Way to go!  Atta boy!”  or “That’s my girl!  Great job!” 

Take your time with these.

1) God wants to set you free from the hurt of feeling you have to be something you are not.

If you can relate to the story about Michael, take some time to talk to God about that. Picture yourself giving your broken heart to Him. Remember that is one of Jesus’ mission statements. He came to heal broken hearts. Let him speak words of encouragement to you.

2) Can you think of some one that has hurt your heart? Picture that person in your mind. Ask God to help you to forgive that person. See God can’t heal a broken heart that is tied up in knots in anger.  Give your anger to God.  Now ask God to bless that person. That is the key to setting you totally free!

 3) “Gool” is found other times as well in the Bible and in those instances it is the way we respond to God. 

“But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5 NIV”

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains!  For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones. (Isaiah 49:13)

Activity:

-Guess what we are going to do? Practice “Gooling”. O.K. get up and jump up and try to do a “36O’ in the air. Those of you who are into figure skating or ballet have an advantage here. After you practiced it for a while, shout encouragement to each other as you do it. Now stop, sit down, and quiet yourself. Let it sink in that THIS is how much God is delighted in you.

-After a few minutes, think of some things that delight you about God. Think back on the things that we have learned about who God is. Get up and “Gool” again, but this time SHOUT out your appreciation for God.

Kids Consecration call team