fading glory

Our youth group just recently returned from our mission trip to Greenville, South Carolina, and I can say confidently that I have never seen God move more in one week in my life.  I invite you to come Sunday night at 6:00 to youth group, so you can hear all about it.  But that's not why I'm writing.  In a sense, this was a typical week of Christian camp.  We went, we were saturated with the Word of God and worshipping Him, and we all took at least one step closer to Him in the process.  That happens.  But do you know what else normally happens?  After drawing closer to God while away, we tend to fade at least a little further away from Him when we return.

In Exodus 34, Moses climbs up Mount Sinai and spends time in the presence of God.  He received instructions on how God wanted His people to worship Him.  When he returned to the bottom of the mountain, he realized his face was glowing.  He was radiating God's glory.  It was obvious.  But over time, that faded.  Eventually, he just had plain old Moses face.  The longer he was out of God's presence, the more it faded.  Our faces didn't glow when we returned from Greenville, but our spirits did.  Our demeanor was different and more reflective of God.  It can stay like that, if we continue to come into the presence of God on a daily basis, but it can also fade away, just as Moses' face slowly faded, if we do not choose to stay before God.

When was the last time you found yourself experiencing God's glory from being in His presence?  Has the glory faded?  Have you spent too long away from Him?  As Christians, we've been given authority to enter boldly before the throne of God.  Maybe we should spend more time there.  Don't do it one time a week or one week per Summer.  Make it a habit.  Make it a normal hang out.

I wish I could tell you

Last week was one of the most amazing weeks in ministry I have ever experienced.  It may have been the greatest week.  I wish I could write a post covering every good thing that happened, but I could not, because you may not read it.  It would be the longest post of my life.  Here's what I will tell you: I prayed specifically for some kids who I knew needed it, and God reached them.  I prayed specifically each day we were gone as I saw issues arising, and God took care of them.  We saw two students come to Christ, another five decide to recommit themselves to God, and twenty-five out of twenty-five people - including the adults - acknowledge that they had experienced God in a real way and had drawn closer to Him.

Starting next week, I will give you a glimpse into what we were dealing with by posting the devotions I wrote each day for church group devotions.  Sometimes unknowingly to me, what was said addressed specifically what someone was struggling with.  God just works like that.  You can also join us on Sunday night, July 29, to hear from students and leaders about how God moved in their lives.  The recap service will take place from 6-8 in the church's Theatre.