The Effective, Fervent Prayer

The Effective, Fervent Prayer: James 5:16

James 5:16 
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

So this is a verse I've come upon twice recently in my Bible reading. Its so true, and so encouraging. I just wanted to share this, that the effective (meaningful, coming to God in search of truth), fervent (earnest, passionate) prayer of a righteous man (we who have been redeemed) avails much. Prayer is so powerful, and the simple yet earnest prayer of a child of God can work wonders. I just wanted to share this with you as a reminder to always feel welcome to reach out to the Lord, knowing that He will be faithful to respond.

Summer!

SUMMER!!!

Well, summer is finally here! Time to toss the school books and have some fun! I'm home-schooled, so I've just got a bit of work left to do. Then I'm home free! Summer is always such a great time, because with your mind off of school and homework, it's the perfect season to grow in the Lord! (not that every season isn't the time) So amid the swimming, the fireworks, and the awesome everything, summer gives us a great chance to spend time with God, time that we don't normally have due to homework and other school-related things. Last summer God taught me so much, just in the every day. How I could improve my character, how I could build my faith, and how I could do more for His glory. I mean of course we all know that the summer was God's gift to all of youth, but He wants us to learn about Him too! For me personally, summer is a fantastic chance to write songs and just sing, sing, sing. So everyone have fun! Have a blast and in the middle, don't forget to give Jesus plenty of time, because He is there with you every day and He has so much to tell you! He's listening for your answer to His call.

Elijah Cody

Elijah Cody: Called To Reach

My cousin Elijah is someone that I see striving to live for Jesus no matter what. He sees that God calls us, and he is someone who has answered that call. Here is his story.He wants to reach to people (youth) in ministry. This is his call, and he is answering.

Well, for the longest time I did not live a life worthy of anything (I 

thought). God broke in and changed it, I asked God for a very long 

time just to show me what he wanted me to do (not knowing if I 

actually meant it) I was listening to the song "trust in Jesus" by 

third day. I realized what it was, so I kinda didn't tell anyone for a 

few months to make sure I was right. I went on mission trip and a 

few other things as realized that is what I'm called to do.

Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith: Called to Shine

Yes, Maggie and Tj are from the same family. Siblings, in fact. But being related doesn't change the amazing truth that God is using us to do His will! Here's Maggie's story!

 “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 8:28 – The Message

So glad my favorite scripture is still in the Bible! Oh, yes! Romans 8:28 is my life defined into one sentence! I have been blessed with a life that has been raised in the church and present whenever the doors were opened. I don’t take this lightly that I’m part of a “Joshua generation”, who’s grown up believing in God from the start!

So, my testimony of salvation isn’t that of a miracle or complete turn in life but rather an assurity that my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! When I was 11 years old, my dad aka best buddy, suddenly passed away. It was then my family realized the brevity of life and how fragile and short life is. We must be ready at any/every moment in case the Lord calls us home early. Live without regrets and love like crazy (my life motto!) A few months later, I went to a revival meeting with a friend. At the end of the message I went down to the altar to pray for myself and family. The evangelist met me there and asked if I was saved. What is that supposed to mean? I’m a Christian here! I live for the Lord, Reverend! Those thoughts ran through my mind as I let my little brain man quickly look through my heart’s files and how to respond. J I gathered that the Reverend could see through my thoughts as he said that we can pray together to be sure. And so we prayed and that is when I became saved!

The end, folks! Life is good and now everything is peachy-keen. All my greatest dreams are coming true and I no longer have to worry about anything. OH! AND there is no struggle to sin (sips back on ice cold lemonade with small drink umbrella listening to the ocean’s waves crashing to the shoreline).

“Stop track,  AHH!” //stopstape //discscratch “WOAH Cut! Cut! This ain’t life ya’ll!” cries the DJ who takes off his headphones and throws hands in the air. “Who we talkin’ ‘bout?”

Actually, life just gets more interesting! When I fully accepted Jesus into my heart is also the same time that I can notice the Holy Spirit in my life too! Did you ever think you could go and pray for even the Holy Spirit to enter in and do as He pleased also? Haha! THIS IS BIG, YA’LL! Now, I’m spiritual housecleaning! Checking my room for things that may not be pleasing to the Lord!  I’m asking myself questions like, “Would Jesus watch this movie with me?” “Would he approve of my clothes?” “Would He sing along to this album?” But it’s my FAVORITE album how could I be feeling this way. Does it really make that big of a difference?? C’MON this has just gotta be my conscience making fun of me! Nope, that’s why we have one, and when we commit our life to the Lord He uses all of our senses to speak to us. When you place your life’s authority into the arms of Almighty God, He can do some WILD stuff in your life and it can no longer be compared to anyone else’s! Compare your life to heaven if ya so please! BTW, this is all happening within my 11-14 y/o age.

Growing into my older teen years, 16-19, I’m feeling the call to be in future youth and music ministry. The Lord has allowed me to have the talent of playing the drums since I was 9. I love tapping into the heartbeat of the Creator and allowing Him to use two simple sticks to speak volumes in worship services and when I’m alone with Him. It’s my outlet to freedom and joy in the Lord through every season. I LOVE IT. And I also believe I’m called to speak to teens about my life and how much the Lord is really really REAL! Still studying and believing for open doors into more youth ministry opportunities, but for now taking whoever God brings me and just be a vessel. I’m now 23 and daily being surprised by God and His mysteries. They are FOREVER amazing! Could go on and on explaining what all He has done in my life. I can never stop praising Him for His goodness! Thankful every single day for my Jesus! He is truly Hope to the hopeless, Friend to the Friendless, and God of my yesterday, today, and forever!

~Maggie Smith (Florida)~

Tj Smith

Tj Smith: Called To Preach

My good friend from Florida, Tj Smith, is a 17-year-old who has been called to preach. Tj grew up in a good Christian home. When he was 6, his father passed away. His family turned to God, and He took place as a Father for their family. A few months later, Tj found himself before the altar, asking the Lord for direction. It was then that he heard the call, and he answered. God had chosen Tj to preach the gospel, to share His word. 10 years later, he acted on this call. He began to study, to prepare for God's plan. Now Tj is occasionally preaching in his church, faithfully obeying God's command. Sometimes it's hard, to stand before people and talk, every eye watching. But God gives him courage and strength. Sometimes Tj wonders why God chose him, just a random kid from Florida. But he is just like David, an everyday young man who the Lord has called to do great things. Sometimes Tj wishes he knew for sure everything would work out right. We would all like the strength and confidence to follow without a problem, but we are reminded that God will provide when we can't. Tj shared this verse when I asked to share of his calling. "2 Corinthians 12:9 says this, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”" 
God will be our strength in our weakness. He calls us, all the while knowing that we are only humans. We can trust that if we faithfully obey the call, He will guide our every step. This is true for Tj. God is opening doors, and Tj is stepping through them. The Lord called Tj. TJ answered.

A Bit About Me

About Me

I'm Avery Harper, a sixteen-year-old kid. You may think "ppsshh so is everyone else at one time" but that's not the point. The point is that I've been called by God to proclaim His hope throughout the world. And not just me! I've talked to lots of people who feel the call, and who are responding. God is calling us out of the world, showing us talents we never knew of, and blowing our minds with His reality and His awesome grace. My hidden talent? Music. Writing songs comes natural to me, as well as playing guitar. You see, the Bible is true. 100% all of it. And I've seen this in the world, felt it physically, mentally and spiritually. God's using His people to bring light and hope to this wreck of a world. But this isn't a part-time job. Jesus requires us to shine our lights all the time, in all we do. The cool thing is He's promised to walk with us the whole way. I've come so far, yet I'm only at the beginning. It's been hard at times, easy at others, but the entire time God has been with me and I wouldn't change a thing. I'm sure others would agree. In John 17:16, in the Bible, Jesus says "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." We aren't supposed to be like everyone else. And I know people who are living out this verse. So among other things, I am going to be posting (with their permission) the stories of other people, people who have answered a call to be aliens in this world. We are the Called.

This Is The Start

This is not where we belong. We are hardly from this world, rather we are only IN this world. I'm only some random teenager, but I'm doing what I can to tell people what they need to hear. This world is falling fast and hard and there's only one way to stand: we can stand on Jesus Christ. I'm a christian, and everything I say, every movie or book I give my opinion on will be in a christian perspective. That aside, I hope everyone who reads this enjoys what I post, and I hope it is beneficial from one redeemed soul to another.