He Keeps Me Singing

From the official SYATP site:
A young man named Josiah began one of the greatest revivals and awakenings in the Old Testament. Josiah had become king of Israel at the age of 8. Scripture tells us that at the age of 16, he began to pursue God passionately. Like his forefather, David, he began to show signs of Godliness early on and gained the respect of the people. 2 Kings 22:2 states, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father, David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” This resulted in radical obedience — getting rid of everything that did not honor God and challenging everyone around him to do likewise. These actions resulted in a mighty move of God in his day — actually, one of the greatest ever!

"See You At The Pole" is an annual group prayer meeting that happens all across the world each year in September and our local meeting was at the High School football field Wednesday morning at 6:45 AM. It is an honor and privilege just to be there and you cannot help but be stirred as you watch kids show up all on their own to gather and pray with their peers, parents, leaders, teachers, administrators and community. This prayer rally covers many areas but among them is prayer for our country, our state, students, teachers and our lost and dying world in general. I know in my heart I felt the burden more than ever to pray for the highest office in our country. Only Jesus Christ in me can be obedient to pray for a President that I disagree with most of the time. God tells me in the Bible to pray for him and I have been faithful to do that. I began praying for him in general and the decisions that he makes day to day but something I heard Wednesday night made me change the way I am praying for him. One very dear student took the microphone and began to pray for our President. It was convicting to me as I listened to her ask God that our President be "saved in office and radically changed." She asked God for this to be his legacy and not just the color of his skin. I have recognized this need that he has too but for some reason it has been more of a thought and not something that I had been asking for on his behalf daily.

So many things are happening in the news and in the world and I know in my heart that the end is nearer than ever. We have been rehearsing the song "Midnight Cry" in choir and it really is amazing that just since we sang it last time that so many more things are happening all around us that indicate the return of Jesus Christ very soon according to my Bible. This is the first time in my life that I believe I am able to point at current events and then site scriptures that match what is happening. Today is certainly the day of salvation and Jesus Christ is coming back soon. We must do all that we can to make sure that we and everyone that we come in contact with are trusting Jesus Christ as the only way to Heaven. We will spend our eternity somewhere and it will all come down to the question of "What did I do with Jesus?" There are only two answers to the question. We will accept Him or reject Him.

I walked away from "See You At The Pole" this year knowing once again that every prayer counts and that these meetings are important. I watched closely as kids arrived to school at the regular time and noticed the crowd around the flagpole. They were interested and fascinated with this sight. I thought of Matthew 5:14 which says "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." I pray that the kids that know the Lord already will realize daily that other kids are watching them like a hawk. I pray that they also recognize that they are lighthouses and sometimes the only Bibles that some kids ever come in contact with. When Jesus Christ lives within you--you cannot contain Him and keep Him to yourself. As a dear friend has stated many times "He oozes from you." Funny image to think of but so true. We are vessels that are to be used for Him and much like a vessel that is full--I want to "ooze Jesus" and that includes the camera that I hold. I gave my camera to the Lord years ago and I want to honor Him with any "eye" or gifts that He has blessed me with. It all belongs to Him anyway and I am so thankful for all that He has done. I always find that being on board with what God has planned for my life is far better that anything I could ever plan.