Change 4…continued 3…

 Change 4 ….continued 3…

At one of the mission conferences I attended, one missionary made the statement, “ 65 % of missionaries on the field in full time  service now,  went on a short term mission trip as a teen…” 

That statement has stayed with me over the years…my children did short term mission trips or worked in camps in various capacities as teens, now some of my older grandkids are doing the same…

Life changing…

Some more life changes in young people in the Bible ….

Shunammite woman’s son…a promise given, taken, restored…

But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her. 

When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite..So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

2Kgs. 4:17, 32-37…

Just imagine what this boy could tell his peers and all around him….

Jairus’ daughter…faith of a  desperate Jewish father…

And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Luke.8.41-42, Luke.8.49-56

Another child with a big story…

Timothy and Titus …admonished young men..Timothy discipled and travelled with Paul…called his son…

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

2Tim.2.22

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

 Titus.2.6

Samuel….”speak, for your servant hears”

But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” 

Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” 

So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. 

And the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 

And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 

Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”And he worshiped the Lord there. 

Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man. 

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 

The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 

Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” 

But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 

And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” 

But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” 

Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” 

So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 

And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 

And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

1Sam..1.28,1Sam.2.18,1Sam.2.26,1Sam.3.1-11, 1 Sam.3.19-21

A boy prayed for, given into service by a promise keeping mother…life changing…

Thank YOU…for working in the lives of these young people as examples for us in the scriptures ….we don’t have to be older to have these God moments…