Kids of the King, Arise!

Josh who has written some of the devotions for kids by kids in the past has had an amazing opportunity to live in South Africa the last number of months. He writes..

We have been going to Hillsong Church here in Cape Town. It has been a great experience of the power of God through music and praise. It has been a real blessing to be a part of the Thursday night worship nights and seeing people from many different places coming together to worship God. Hillsong recently had a “Touching Heaven” night. The entire service was just singing and praising God. It was amazing. It seems to me that South Africa’s worship is something that they could offer to the King. It could be one of the glories of South Africa

My favorite song that they sang was “Revelation Song”

About 40 years ago there was an incredible working of God in Indonesia. They tell how the teams of people who went out to share the good news about Jesus. Included in them there were 8 groups of children. There were from 8-10 kids in each group ranging in age from 6-10. They were known as the children’s teams.

These kids went to school from the 1st to the 4th grade. Every morning they left for school at about 7:00. School lasted to 1:15 and then they went home to lunch. From about 4-7 every afternoon Monday to Friday instead of playing like most of the kids , they would come together to pray. They would kneel and put their hands together and pray - not only for others right around them but for the whole world. And they would be so concerned that they would weep. Then the Lord would give them perhaps a word of prophecy , or instructions or reveal something special to them

On Saturdays school only lasted to 12 noon. About 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon the team of kids started to walk to a nearby village.Nearby could mean anywhere form 5-15 miles away. through the jungle. This was a weekly thing, and no adult ever went with them. When they were asked if they were afraid, they replied. “Why should we be afraid ? There is always an angel going ahead of us, and one on the right side of us, and one on the left side and one behind us. We just follow them through the trails and they keep us safe.”

Many times when they walked through the jungle it was dark. They didn’t have maps. God told them just to pray for light. He gave the children of Israel light, so why wouldn’t He give light to us too, they thought. The Bible never changes.The light God gave after they prayed would be like the landing light of an airplane. When the light would go left, they would go left and when it moved to the right they would move to the right. As it went forward, they would go forward. Finally they would find the village, church or home God wanted them to minister. The Lord led many times like this through the darkness of the jungle. “We wouldn’t know the way but we just followed the light!”

Wherever they went God used them to bring many people to Jesus.They just believed what the Bible said and as they went out, God healed people, and showed Himself mighty with many signs and wonders.

(From “Like a mighty wind” by Mel Tari published by Creation House 1971)

Did you know that every nation on earth has something that is unique and special? Just as every person is unique and special so are nations. They are not all the same, and they don’t do things the same. I’m sure you have realized that as you study Social Studies. When you watched Matt dance all over the world on the January 1st blog entry, you saw some of these differences. (If you haven’t seen it go back into the archives and check it out)

Each nation also carries a piece of the puzzle in God’s kingdom as well. It seems that Korea has a piece of prayer, so much so that there are prayer mountains ALL OVER South Korea. In Australia a lot of our praise and worship songs come from there. France has the gift of passion, and England has had many of the word’s best Bible teachers. BUT is one more important than the other? No. They are all part of the Kingdom. Each is a different living stone that is building up God’s kingdom on earth.

So, I thought it would be neat to ask different people that live in different nations what is special about their nation. In the book of Revelations it says that the glory and honor of the nations will be brought into the the New Jerusalem ( Rev. 21:26) The first place that we will look at is Japan.

What is Japan’s glory? What will they bring to the Father’s throne at the end of time? It’s hard to guess what it might be; only God the Father knows for sure. There are many things it might be for Japan: their loyalty to friends and family, their kindness and consideration of others, or their responsible way of caring for the material things they have been given (a lesson in stewardship, to be sure), to name a few. Still, for me, what I love most about Japan is nature.

God has created some truly beautiful places in this world, and Japan is filled with beauty. Not only that, but many Japanese people have an enthusiasm to see and experience beauty which is truly unique. I am from Canada, which is a beautiful place, but I didn’t realize that it’s famous for its beauty until I came to Japan and had countless people tell me they are jealous of me, because I have seen such beautiful nature in Canada. Many of my Japanese friends have crossed the ocean (or want to), just to see the beauty of God’s creation in Canada. It is beautiful to see people who enjoy nature’s beauty so much. I think that makes God smile.

people gathering to see the fall colors

Here in Japan, festival after festival celebrates the beauty of creation. There’s a festival for spring, when millions rush to see and smell the freshly blooming cherry blossoms. There’s a festival for fall, when crowds pack together to walk under brightly lit red, orange, and yellow leaves. There are thousands who wake at midnight to climb Mount Fuji and watch a 4 am sunrise, excited to soak in its beauty, not stopped by the
ridiculously early wakeup call

It’s hard to describe all of the beautiful places, so I’ve included some pictures to let you see it for yourself. I think you’ll agree with me that God has truly placed His fingerprints on the scenery of this nation. He has also placed an appreciation for that beauty in the hearts of this people. When they come to the throne, I believe Japanese people will fill heaven’s air with shouts of, “Sugoi! Kirei!” (Wow! So beautiful!)

My prayer is that their celebration of creation will change to a celebration of praise to our Creator. That would be an even greater glory to bring to His throne.

Stephanie McIntyre

Sorry that I have not posted anything for a while My internet access was down so I couldn’t post anything.

At the start of the New Year I found a U-tube video that reflects God’s joy and His love for all the people of the world and His desire that everyone come to know Him. A young man Matt had the idea to go around the word and invite people to dance with him. The result is awesome. As you watch the video point to all the places on the map that he visited. Did he dance in your country? Why not join him in the dance… wherever you are!

*Where is Matt 2008 was 14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands. Make sure to click “watch in high quality” right underneath the video