“But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8:10-11
Confirmation Day is a special time for every Christian. Young people re-affirm their baptismal vows as their parents, sponsors, and congregation members sit and for many of us probably thought back to our Confirmation Day so many years ago. These six children from Les Cayes in this photo are not yet confirmed but that doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit is not at work in their young lives. The bracelets that a Trinity HOPE mission team members give children comes with a message that can be summed up quite simply; “Jesus Lives!” That message is contrary to the what the vodou priest has been boasting for centuries and these young lives are filled with the Holy Spirit and are sharing that Good News with people still living in bondage to the devil. The Holy Spirit has been at work in these three and you and I since our baptism and didn’t stop or hit pause when Confirmation Day came and passed by. Share the message along your journey where ears have not yet heard, where hearts have hardened and where the stubborn of this world resist; Jesus Lives! I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won’ that were written by Christian F. Gellert in 1757.
“Jesus lives! the victory's won! Death no longer can appall me; Jesus lives! Death's reign is done! From the grave Christ will recall me. Brighter scenes will then commence; this shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! To Him the throne high o'er heaven and earth is given. I shall go where He is gone, live and reign with Him in heaven. God is faithful. Doubtings, hence! This shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! For me He died, hence will I, to Jesus living, pure in heart and act abide, praise to Him and glory giving. Freely God doth aid dispense; this shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! I know full well naught from me His love shall sever; life nor death nor powers of hell part me now from Christ forever. God will be a sure Defense; this shall be my confidence. Jesus lives! and now is death but the gate of life immortal; this shall calm my trembling breath when I pass its gloomy portal. Faith shall cry, as fails each sense, Jesus is my confidence!”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.