Category Archives: Praises
Let No Man Despise Thy Youth
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
2 Timothy 4:12
Christian Junior camp was always special to me. From the time I was 8 years old I’ve been able to enjoy at least one week a year of lots of preaching, fun games, new friends, Bible memory and lasting decisions for Christ. In fact, it was at a Junior camp when I was 11 that God called me to be a missionary!
Today was the last day of my church’s annual Junior Camp and they invited me in to preach the morning service. It was wonderful to sit in a room with 80 children and quite a few sleep-deprived teens and adults, all eager to hear the Word of God. They’ve already seen several saved this week and many make decisions for God. There were two more young men that acknowledged their need of salvation this morning. Will you pray with me that they settle that soon? The Holy Spirit was moving in their heart! Also, after I preached on Josiah this morning, over 30 kids and teens made decisions to step out and make a difference for God, to go against the world’s norm, and to surrender their life to Him. Hallelujah! Pray that these decisions will last and that God really will use them for His eternal Glory.
I often wondered as a child, “what can I do, being so young?” This has always brought me back to 1 Timothy 4:12. You see, being young isn’t the issue. Just as being tall, short, fat, skinny, black, white, ugly or pretty isn’t the issue. The issue is a perfect heart toward God. He can use anybody that’s willing to be used. And we, as Christians, need to realize that it’s not about us. It’s all about HIM! He can take the smallest tool and create a masterpiece. And when it comes down to it, that’s all we are–His tools. And it sure feels good to be a tool in the Master’s hand!
Let’s not discredit our young people. They are today’s harvest and tomorrows leaders.
Also, please pray for the Faith Factor Teen Camp my church hosts every year. This is for Middle and High school age young people and will take place in less than two weeks. We’re praying that God saves many, calls many to Christian service and works on all of our hearts in a special way. Check out the video that was put together for the camp here:
Freedom Isn’t Free! (with Video)
Image by malenga via Flickr
Happy Memorial Day! I want to thank those that have served in our country’s military, and the families of those that have given their lives to defend our freedoms. May we always appreciate the sacrifice that they’ve made and may we always remember that freedom isn’t free!
And as Christians, just as Americans, somebody had to pay the price for our freedom. Jesus Christ died on the cross 2,000 years ago to make us free from the bondage that is sin. I love what John 8:32 & 38 say,
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Please enjoy this video that was put together a couple of years ago for my church, Lighthouse Baptist Church in Dawsonville, GA to remember those that have laid down their lives, and to celebrate the freedom we have because of their sacrifice.
If you can’t see the embedded video, please click here)
Jesus Paid It All
“It pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Isaiah 53:10-12
It pleased God to bruise the Son.
Have you ever thought about that? I mean, really, have you spent time pondering the truth of what Jesus did for us?
Today, millions of people around the world recognize “Good Friday,” the day we celebrate the death of Christ on the cross. What is “good” about it?
Christ’s body was bruised, beaten and battered.
His flesh was whipped, bloodied and torn.
His side was pierced.
His deity was mocked.
He was cursed.
Spat upon.
Rejected.
Good? How is this good?
It is good because he did it for me.
It should have been me there. My sins deserved the full blow of God’s wrath. As the book of Nahum says, his fury is reserved for his enemies, and being an enemy of God, dead in my sins, I deserved that.
But God is good. He cannot let sin go unpunished. He can’t just pretend it didn’t happen. If so, he wouldn’t be just. No, instead, he came himself. He paid my price.
He paid it all.
Jesus paid it all!!
He has now made me clean! Accepted! Saved! Forgiven! Justified! Redeemed! Regenerated! Blessed beyond all measure, born again, blood bought and free. I’m his and he is mine. He has paid it all! He paid my debt! Glory to God!
That is why we celebrate Good Friday. Because, God, in his Goodness, paid it all. But guess what… Sunday, it gets better!
Have you thanked God today for what he’s done for you?
The Most Amazing Woman…Is Mine!
Aubrie, I love you. It’s hard to believe two whole years have gone by since we were married that gorgeous day up in Ashland, Ohio. The past two years have been phenomenal, yet it seems like we’ve always been together. I actually can’t imagine my life without you. It’s like we’ve always been one.
You’ve changed my life. Literally. I’m a different person because of you. You encourage me, help me, support me, respect me, and melt my heart with each loving gaze you throw my way with those big brown eyes of yours. I know I sure don’t deserve you but thank God he saw it fit to put us together. And he’s the one that will keep us together!
It has been such an honor getting to know you more each day, enjoying your company, serving alongside of you and seeing you grow into the godly woman you are. You really are the most amazing person I know. You fascinate me. I see how you respond to situations that aren’t ideal, love the unloveable, forgive, express patience, and give of yourself, and it really baffles me. You really do show Jesus to those around you. I have learned from you.
Wow, and talk about a good mother. Amira is so blessed to have you as a mom. You do such a great job loving her and giving her all the little things she needs. I know life get pretty hectic at times, especially with us on the road a lot, but you take it all in stride, and glorify God in it all. How do you do it? Amazing. I hope our daughter turns out like you!
And, of course, you’re my best friend. There’s nobody I’d rather live with and spend time with. I know I can be myself with you and that you’ll still love me. Now that sure takes somebody special!! 🙂 All joking aside, I honestly never knew how much of a friend my wife would be. I had prayed for you for years before I even saw your face, but I had no idea that your face would mean so much to me. That your company would light up my day. That your words would brighten my soul. We’ve shared many laughs, tears and shining moments. And Lord willing, there will be much more to come!
So, now, on our Second anniversary, allow me to say, I love you. I loved you on our wedding day, and I love you more now. If God gives us the time, I will love you for years and years and years to come. I honestly believe we’re together for God’s namesake and his glory. He put us together and we will live for him!! Here’s the song I wrote for us on our wedding day. It still stands true today 🙂
For His Name
For many years I prayed to God That he would give to me
A girl who loves him with all her heart And serves him faithfully.
And although at times I was dismayed Thinking you weren’t there,
Now I’ve seen God’s glorious strength portrayed,
Our two lives—one to share…
________
For His Name, For His Fame, For His glory we’re together.
We’re made one by the Son, And through his love.
And wherever God leads us That’s where we’ll go;
So that all the world that see us, They will know…
We’re together for His name.
________
As we start this journey new, Following Christ’s lead,
There are some things I promise To you faithfully;
To love you, to lead you, To be your best friend,
To live my life with integrity, Stay with you ‘til the end…
________
For His Name, For His Fame, For His glory we’re together.
We’re made one by the Son, And through his love.
And wherever God leads us That’s where we’ll go;
So that all the world that see us, They will know…
We’re together for His name.
________
So let come what may, I’m here to stay,
Forever I’ll be true.
On every mountain, every valley, I’m staying with you.
As a living testimony of Christ’s love and devotion,
I’ll give my all, follow his call
Because, I love you…
________
For His Name, For His Fame, For His glory we’re together.
We’re made one by the Son, And through his love.
And wherever God leads us That’s where we’ll go;
So that all the world that see us, They will know…
We’re together for His name.
We’re together for His name.
Leaving Our Comfort Zone
I turned it in today.
My notice.
Many saw it coming, but it took quite a few by surprise to see it so soon.
For the past two years, in addition to pastoring the Spanish Church at Lighthouse Baptist, I’ve had the privilege of working at Children’s Medical Services as a Bilingual Program Associate. I’ve enjoyed helping families that have kids with varying disabilities and special healthcare conditions. I’ve been able to assist them with case management, interpretation with doctors, and intermediation with nurses, hospitals, specialists, pharmacies and so much more. Since this is a government job I have had the luxury of being able to pastor the Spanish church at the same time without worrying about conflicts on nights and weekends.
Unfortunately, the Monday-Friday, 7 am to 5 pm schedule doesn’t work as well with scheduling deputation meetings.
So, I put in my notice today.
We don’t have much support at all right now, but we do have a big God. There’s nothing too big for Him. It’s time to get out of our comfort zone and step out by faith.
Pray that we can fill up our calendar with meetings. Fast. 🙂
The Vance Family 