16 Nov, 2010
Living Power
photo and excerpt from Glamour.com, Glamour Magazine's website:
Earlier this year you nominated your real-life heroes, and then voted—in droves. Your winner? Courageous 17-year-old Kendall Ciesemier.
Ciesemier suffers from a rare liver disease and at age 11 was facing her second liver transplant. But she asked friends not to send gifts: “How many teddy bears do you really need?” Instead, having learned about AIDS orphans in Africa, she requested that well-wishers donate to World Vision, an international charity. “I couldn’t imagine living like that: grieving the death of your parents and having to [support] your younger siblings,” she says. That appeal raised $15,000, prompting her to start her own nonprofit, Kids Caring 4 Kids, which helps fund a girls’ dormitory in Kenya and meals for AIDS patients and orphans in Zambia. (Read Full Story at Glamour or Christianity Today and go to Kendall's website at KidsCaring4Kids.com)2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and of self-discipline.
1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
What does God's Story Scripture teach us about living power?
There is a power that lives in Kendall Ciesemier, that gives her purpose, strength and determination to change the world for kids with AIDS.
Do you know that when Christ lives in you, you have access to that same power?
It's easy to read a story like Kendall's and think "not me. That's one in a million." It's easy to think that Kendall lives by a different set of rules. Whether because of her liver transplant or her parents or her school, she's isn't like you.
But she's just like you.
She accesses the same power in her heart that you have in your heart. When you invite Christ into your heart, you invite in power that's beyond this world. Power to promote healing, bring hope, or pursue peace. 2 Timothy says that the spirit God DIDN'T give us is the spirit of timidity! Power. Love. Self-Discipline. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you! Resurrection Power. Living Power. Power to live a different kind of life.
How can I connect today's God's Story Scripture to my life?
Try to memorize 2 Timothy 1:7.
Think about it as you go through your day. Where are you need more courage? What holds you back from being different, loving more? You might want to pray something like this:
God, I haven't been living in your resurrection power. Because of_______________ (what other people think, fear of failure, laziness, other....) I'm being held back. God, please hlep me to live by the spirit of power, love and of self-discipline.
How can I connect today's story, God's story, and my story to others?
- Courage is contagious. Often, when we stand up for our faith, give someone grace, or choose to be friendly with the lonely, others will follow.
- Do you have dreams of doing big things for God? Share them with someone else. We can be inspired by each other's desires to live with a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.
- Check out an organization like KidsCaring4Kids or Hoops of Hope. Start a power revolution today!
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
