MUST DO

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

 

'I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do.'

– Leonardo da Vinci

...be doers of the word, and not hearers only...

James 1:22 (ESV)

 

My good friend Kevin and I have been tapped on the shoulder to “DO” a couple of things recently.  One is to take the leadership role in a project called PREVENTION FIRST.

 

Prevention First (http://www.prevention-first.org/) is a FAITH-FRIENDLY tool kit for churches to leverage to share with kids/teens about substances and substance abuse.  Whether we want to believe it or not, here in Ohio 1 in 3 folks are being impacted by this current epidemic and it is steadily approaching 1 in 2.  And our most vulnerable population to this challenge is our youth.

 

Our youth today are being PREYED upon by traffickers and drug dealers.  There are over 120000 kids currently in the U.S. who admit to having an issue with heroin another 250000+ that say they have a similar challenge with opiate based medications.  The average target age for a young woman OR MAN to be pulled into the world of sex trafficking is 12.  Often, they are enticed into the trade with the money derived by drug activities and then KEPT THERE by the drugs themselves.

 

Our youth are a target of a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.  It is organized, technologically savvy, and to the victim a very pretty and enticing temptation until they are locked in.  In our area alone, the greatest percentage of all those current being trafficked were runaways; disenfranchised youth who if they had a safe place or safe people to connect to may have had a different opportunity for life.

 

So yesterday Kevin and I met with 4 very passionate youth leaders; real visionaries and men dedicated to helping connect other like-minded leaders to ENGAGE and DO something to turn the tide on this challenge.  And we believe that WE MUST not only minister to those who are currently trapped by addiction and indentured service, but to help prevent a young person from ever considering the opportunity.

 

These 4 leaders are GOING TO DO something.

No more talking a good game.  They are ready to get equipped and get engaged.

 

And I share this to hopefully inspire you to take a look around your world, your sphere of influence and seek ways that YOU TOO can begin to DO SOMETHING to bring the WORD to life.

 

Is there a neighbor you can love? – (Mark 12:31)

Is there a widow or orphan that you can bring hope or comfort to? (James 1:27)

Is there someone you can serve today? (Mark 10:45)

 

Look, you don’t have to be deeply engaged in a cause like drug and human trafficking to share compassion or look for ways to help.  There are hurting folks all around us; folks desperate for the hope that is in the WORD OF GOD!(Jeremiah 29:11)

 

Don’t keep these amazing prospects of hopeful living, grace, the unconditional love of Jesus, the comfort, peace, and joy that emanates from those pages to yourself!

 

Look for ways to put what it says into action!

 

“Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and ACTIVELY DOING God's will...” ― Eric Metaxas

 

Have a blessed DAY!

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE