This post is by Audrey, age 10.

Genesis 6:9-22

No one likes it when they get laughed at or bullied at school just because of their faith. But we as kids have to stand up for our faith no matter what. For example, when God told Noah to build an ark and to bring two of each animal on it how do you think Noah felt? He got called mean names, laughed at, and bullied but did he stop? NO! He kept on building the ark. After the 40 days and 40 nights God gave Noah a beautiful blessing of a rainbow. That shows us that if we do as God asks he will return us with a great gift. So next time someone starts to make fun of you for your faith just remember Noah. Never stop believing in Jesus because you get picked on, bullied, or anything at all.

Faith in Action for KIDS

TAKE A PENCEL AND PUT IT NEXT TO THE WALL. TRY TO MAKE IT STAND UP ON ITS OWN. IT CAN’T DO THAT, RIGHT? IT HAS TO LEAN AGAINST THE WALL. WELL THAT’S JUST LIKE US AND GOD. WE HAVE TO LEAN UP AGAINST HIM TO MAKE IT THROUGH TIMES. ALWAYS LEAN ON GOD, HE’LL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.

Paul had every reason to be un-joyful in Acts 16. Let’s begin with verse 22 where we read, “A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.” Ok, so this is one of those “un-joyful” moments. The judge orders Paul and Silas beaten for their faith. I don’t know about you but I probably wouldn’t be very joyful at this point. Then in verse 23 we read, “They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison.” OK, again…un-joyful moment. But now for sure I would NOT be joyful. My circumstances would definitely overtake me and I would be un-joyful. However, in Paul’s case we find him and Silas signing and praying in verse 25. How in the world is Paul able to do this? How do these guys remain joyful in this time of beating and imprisonment?

The answer rests in Galatians 2:20 when Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” You see, Paul is stating that he no longer views the world through his own circumstances but everything is now viewed through his life in Christ. Paul recognizes that his life is no longer his own. In fact, he states in Romans 14:8 that, “If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Circumstances will change every day just as the wind blows however; Jesus remains a constant, unchanging, rock. If we are to find unending joy we must find it in Christ.

Our un-joyful attitudes come about only through the shifting of our focus from Christ to our self. When we submit our lives to something larger than ourselves, namely Jesus, we no longer view circumstances as a personal catastrophe. Paul was able to sing and pray in prison because he had already died and gone to heaven. Not literally but figuratively. Paul gave up caring about how circumstances affected him personally and cared only about living for Jesus. Paul knew the rest of his life was simply service to Jesus until he moved on to heaven.

If we find ourselves burdened and un-joyful due to our circumstances we’ll likely find a Lordship issue in our heart and an over indulgence in self concern. An example is found in the entertainment world of football. Some people will watch football for fun and enjoy the game. Other people will know every detail of every player and get intimately involved in “their” team. I’ve heard many people refer to a professional football team using inclusive terms such as “we”, “us”, and “them” while the person has never actually been a part of the team. These two types of people represent those detached from the world in Jesus and those completely attached through self concern. While the first person enjoys the game and understands what is going on, they aren’t significantly attached to a team and aren’t emotionally impacted when their favorite team loses. Certainly they aren’t happy about a loss but the game is merely an external item to their meaningful life. The person who is emotionally invested in “their” football team has brought the external item into their life and places a great deal of importance in the football game out of a selfish desire for more entertainment.

My friends, when we become overly concerned with our own well being we become slaves to the circumstances of life. When we surrender our lives to Jesus we become slaves to Him. Hard times will still come in life but we are no longer changed by them. Understand, bad things still happen, that doesn’t change; however, we are rooted in the unchanging joy of the Lord. Brothers and Sisters, we must be Christians who are in the world but not of the world. Only when we learn to truly detach ourselves from this world while still living in the world will we be able to remain joyful all the time. Friends, won’t you die to self today and realize the unchanging joy Jesus offers us in this life? AMEN!