A Legacy Not Forgotten

"Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God: his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm;  the signs he performed and the things he did in the heart of Egypt, both to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his whole country;  what he did to the Egyptian army, to its horses and chariots, how he overwhelmed them with the waters of the Red Sea as they were pursuing you, and how the Lord brought lasting ruin on them..."
Deuteronomy 11:2-4

Stories. Stories of deliverance, stories of disobedience and defeat... With stories we bring to life, paint a verbal picture of a place in time that something important happened. Stories also can remind us who we are, and why we do what we do.

This was done in the old testament regularly. The people heard time and time again how God had saved their great great grandparents from EGYPT... and what a fantastic story it is! The women would tell of  Moses's mom and the basket in which she placed their one day great leader. Then the moment of all moments, when the hand of God had written out those commands, history breathing a blessing onto a rebellious and stubborn nation. A covenant made, a forever future chosen.

Generations would enjoy the protection and providence of God based on the truth in the stories passed down from generation to generation. But stories, the spoken word, ceased to be told. Youth grew, grandparents died, and the nation of Israel would forget... Surrounding nations would crowd in and the spoken word, their legacy, the legacy chosen for them before the foundations of the world would be forgotten. Time and time again, like a children's fable lost in the back of a dusty library, the word of God would be forgotten.

Are we telling the compelling truths to our children about God and our history? Are we telling stories that widen the small eyes of a child, and truly make Jesus out to be their superhero? Or has your imagination taken a back seat and been subdued by daytime streaming drama and prime time pseudo porn?

Have you known what it is like to run through the middle of raging waters on dry ground while the enemy pursued? Or stood on a mountain when fire rained down from the heavens? Eaten beautiful snow like bread every morning, and watched water gush from a rock in the middle of the dessert?

Have you played in the mud that healed a man born blind, held the hand of a child once dead? Did you feel the ground shake as tears poured from the heavens, or seen the place where He laid in a tomb now empty?

And what about you? What about the story written in your life not on paper or stone? What about your story bears truth to these wonderful miracles?

My Grandfather having the right set of gifts in a war camp to sneak food at night; not only to feed himself, but feed the men that toiled with him day to day...

My life being a miracle after my parents believed God was greater than a diagnosis not to have "normal children"... named Johanna Eva because I truly was to them God's gracious gift of life.

"It is time to share your burdens" a wedding plan in motion between their father and I... as God knew the family I came from would soon fall apart, and nearly break my heart.

Stories. Stories of deliverance, stories of disobedience and defeat... With stories we bring to life, paint a verbal picture of a place in time that something important happened.

Have we allowed this culture to crowd in to the point of no return? Will your grandchildren remember Gods providence of a survived great grandfather through the war, or the healing power of a God who gives good gifts to parents that seek His face, and renews all things in His time?

Paint for your children a picture that is true to the faithfulness of the one who dwells richly in them. Daily let them taste and see that the Lord is good. Let us together, raise a generation that knows who they are, where they came from, and why they believe what they believe. It takes a village, no it takes a body, a bride, the bride of Christ to raise a child.

Father let us be a people that remembers your great faithfulness. Give us words and pictures to tell our children of the wonders you have done, and will continue to do into eternity. Let not the world crowd us out of tasting, seeing, believing and experiencing your goodness, for you are good. We Praise you and thank you for all that you are yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.

Upper Canada Youth For Christ, serving churches in Upper Canada by building relationships, sharing resources, and following the pulse of God where it is already beating.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:18 This week will conclude our study about how to use the armor of God in our everyday lives. The youth will be given reminders, Bible verses, and pictures they can bring home to hang in places they will be reminded of their right standing with God, and how to use the word to remain in Him. Please pray the youth retain that which we have spoken. Also that they are given a desire to be in the word, and are reminded to keep talking to God. Father we know that it is only in you that we come to the throne of grace to be in your presence. It is a desire you place in us. Today we pray this desire to be given to each youth that has heard your word of truth. Make them hunger and thirst for you more than anything they have ever wanted before. Set their hearts on fire, may your word dwell richly, and abundantly in their hearts, revive and awaken their entire beings to you. Bring them into the light where they can be known and know that you are God. Help us speak words of your love, your forgiveness and your redemption over them. Help us build up, encourage and show them you. Where we are lacking, may your grace cover us, where we are needing, may you speak the right words through us. You are faithful. Thank you for this. Protect them from the lies that the world teaches... from the lies that try to snuff out your light. May the breadth of your goodness and love for us be a safe place where we retreat to you. May it be a place we invite your children into. Teaching them to trust you with the hidden things of our hearts, hidden fears, hidden wants, and needs. Thank you for this group of youth. May your delight continue to rest on each one of them. May they know you and want to know you more as well. We lay this before you in Jesus name, Amen Youth Pastors in Brockville and Surrounding area's gather for prayer this Thursday (November 24) for prayer. Please pray for each one, and the ministries they serve. Every Monday Johanna meets with a leadership team for Prescott Youth. Pray for this time of learning how to apply Gods word to leading and planning. One of these girls has some big life choices to make as well, pray for peace, and grace. The group looking to help those addicted to Pornography continues to meet. A plan has begun to form looking at how we will partner with Ottawa group Strength to Fight. Pray for a common vision, and protection for front line work. Planning for the Talent show continues. The show is on December 10. Please pray as this time comes closer for all the planning and time lines, and patience with one another through the process of learning. With the organization of churches in Brockville doing Global Alpha, we are encouraging youth leaders to run Youth Alpha at the same time in 2017 with the plan of including shared times  with the larger body. The Holy Spirit weekend is one of these times. Please pray for this vision to catch.

Upper Canada YFC View this email in your browser Upper Canada Youth For Christ, serving churches in Upper Canada by building relationships, sharing resources, and following the pulse of God where it is already beating. "... And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."  (Ephesians 6:17b)

Sometimes in our lives all that we can do is cling to the Word of God. This week we talk about the importance of God's word. Please pray that the youth understand how and when to use the sword of the Spirit. Pray that the Father gives them a hunger that only His word will fill. This week started the beginning of regular meetings with our leadership team for youth on Tuesday nights. We will be walking through the book of Nehemiah, pulling out how God put a plan in His heart, and the strategic way He carried that plan out. We will be also looking to plan out how to improve what we do in Random Acts, Prayer, and Planning for events. Please pray that our time together gives way to building the kingdom, and knowing God more. Plans for the December 10th Talent show are under way. Auditions have happened, and we have moved into building teams and selling tickets. Please email me if you are interested in attending thisAMAZING YOUTH RUN show. There are many details yet to be worked out, so pray for Katie, our amazing 15 year old organiser, for patience in the process, and a teachable spirit. You will not want to miss out!

November 19 a team looking to combat pornography in Youth, Young Adults, Men and Women will be meeting with the group Strength to Fight from Ottawa. Please pray we get a clear focus moving forward in its purpose serving the Upper Canada region. It is our heart to see Jesus set free those addicted to pornography and all that masks their true need for authentic love and intimacy with the Father. Please pray for the Upcoming planning of Global Alpha in Brockville and surrounding area's beginning in January 2017. Youth in Brockville, Athens and Prescott will be inviting their friends to journey together to explore the Christian faith. They will be participating in a corporate non-denominational small group training, and a "Holy Spirit Weekend" that will include all generations from all walks of life. Youth for Christ is closely involved in helping bring the churches together to preach the same message at the same time to the people of Brockville. Pray that our efforts will not be in vain, and that God will richly bless all involved. Please send me (Johanna) an email if you would like more information on this exciting new video series. Click  the link below to view more information about Global Alpha in Brockville. Global Alpha Campaign, Click here for more information...

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