PASTOR JOSEPH GIBBONS
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
DEVOTION
When Kristen and I first heard that Southern Nevada was our nation’s capital for youth homelessness, our hearts sank. We had invested the first twelve years of our lives into the next generation and to think about this level of injustice was moving to say the least.
We then led a youth weekend (RISE WKND) in Las Vegas where we met a young lady who was without a home. In this moment the stat became a story and the call became real. This was a pivotal moment in our church planting call.
I lead with this because we often see youth as resilient at best or stubborn at worst. However the prophet Isaiah tells us that not even youths are exempt from the trails of this world.
The reality is this. The youth in our city have been subjected to some of the very worst our world has to offer and the enemy has claimed this territory for too long.
Let us commit to pray for our youth, reclaim the territory the enemy has claimed and take action toward restorative efforts for the next generation. They are WORTH it! At the end of the day they need the same thing you and I need. They need to embrace the power of God, mount up on wings like eagles; run and not be weary; walk and not faint!!
Young or old, it is only the power and presence of God that is strong enough to get us help and near enough to give us a home.
PRAYER
Jesus, let me see the next generation the way you see them. Help me see through their self-defenses of disrespect and self sufficiency so that I can serve them the way that you serve me. Give me opportunities to meet them where they are to introduce them to who you are. I recognize, Jesus, that the hope for the next generation is not my power but yours. I recognize, Jesus, that the home for the next generation is your church and the church is me. Amen.
ACTION STEP
- Prayerfully consider joining our Walk Youth Director, Jorge Hernandez’s team. The church is the home for healing!
IDEAS:
- Connect with and pray for local educators and coaches to see how you can come alongside them as they serve on the front lines.
- Educate yourself by checking out this recent study from UNLV.
- Volunteer with an organization like Project150lv. While they remain religiously neutral they are doing an excellent job meeting tangible needs.
FITNESS
IDEAS:
- Run, jog, or walk the twelfth mile out of the total of 21.
- Do 21 sit-ups and 21 push-ups.