We all need Jesus – camp leaders and children too! Janis Cox opens up about her Vacation Bible Camp and her discovery that we all need Jesus, herself included.
In 2001, Janis gave her life to Christ. She started journalling as a way to organize her thoughts, feelings, and prayers. She is a member of two cross-Canada Christian writers’ groups, The Word Guild and Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship. She has had several articles and devotionals published. Janis has been a regular contributor to HopeStreamRadio since its inception in 2015. Contact us if you have any questions about the Bible or Christianity.
Vacation Bible Camp – Community for Jesus
Recently I ran a vacation Bible camp at our church. This year I felt very frustrated as everything didn’t seem to be coming together. I had only 3 children signed up and no volunteers, except me. But I pressed through the discouragement, asked for prayers and prayed lots. I ended up with plenty of volunteers and ten wonderful children.
That number may sound small but each child declared his love for Jesus and a desire to make Him the first and best part of their lives. We had our own little community for Jesus.
The theme this year came from the Gospel Light curriculum, SonWorld. And we certainly learned about the Son – Jesus. As we heard stories from the Gospels we learned about choices to make. Choose to believe, choose to act, choose to forigive, choose to obey and choose Jesus.
Keeping My Eyes On Jesus
One of their favourite songs is called I’m Keeping My Eyes on Jesus. Here are the words:
I’M KEEPING MY EYES ON JESUS
I’m keeping my eyes on Jesus
If I start to fall, He helps me to stand.
I’m keeping my eyes on Jesus,
And He’s keeping me in His hand.
When I have a problem and don’t know what to do
I keep my eyes on Jesus; He carries me through
I don’t need to worry and I won’t be afraid
‘Cause Jesus will protect me and help me every day.
I know I started to fall when I felt discouragement before the camp started. But I trusted in Jesus and He made it all come together. Half way through the week I caught a cold. So once again I relied on Jesus to carry me through. And He did.
We All Need Jesus
We all have times of discouragement and sickness. We all need Jesus. He is always where we are. He never will leave us.
In His Word He says:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed for the LORD Your god is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9, NIV).
I needed to know that this week was God at work and not me. That is a sin – to think it was my work, and my efforts. God showed me again that praying, and trusting in Him, would carry my through the week.
The lessons were not just for the children. They were for me too. If I am not learning as I teach then something is wrong.
Oswald Chambers and the Essential Thing
Oswald Chambers reminded me that the essential thing is my personal relationship to Jesus Christ – That I may know Him.
In Christian work the initiative is too often the realization that something has to be done and I must do it. Instead – I must remember that Jesus Christ is in every set of my circumstances. All these thoughts were taken from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, July 12. Once again this VBS was a eye opener and a learning experience for me. I thank the Lord for a wonderful week, amazing children and His steadfast presence.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for teaching us through Your Word and through our circumstances. Help us to look to You for everything, at all times. Help us to remember that You will help us through it all. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Until next time, whatever circumstances you are facing, keep your eyes on Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith. Thank You, Jesus.
Janis Cox
Janis has been blogging since 2008. In 2012 she published an award-winning children’s book Tadeo Turtle. She ran a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer for four years. Hope Stream Radio will be her first foray into broadcasting on a regular basis.
In addition to a career as a home-maker and teacher, Janis was a partner in a Canadian small business with her husband, Wayne. They currently reside in Ontario and winter in Mesa, Arizona. Janis and Wayne have three children with spouses and many grandchildren.
One of her favourite things is to tell others about what God has done and is doing in her life. Janis can be reached on her website, Growing Through God’s Word, on Facebook and Twitter.
Contact Info
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Images courtesy of:
Children Jumping – manseok
Children on Grass – Ajale
Children Laughing – White77
Oswald Chambers – Public Domain
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