The power of the Lord.

"signs and wonders followed the preaching of the Word."

Last night we had a most unusual circumstance occur. Most unusual because it happened with the young people. Last week some difficulties caused a few youth to lose their privilege to this week's meeting.

Last night we ended up with just a handful of people. One of the young people reminded the others of the rules "they" (the young people) had established in the beginning. Simple ones. No talking. No personal contact. With infractions resulting in a one week dismissal after warnings. I was forced to use that rule after "many" warnings.

The young man who reminded the others spoke with authority that I have never seen in him. What I saw is that many of these kids come because this is a safe haven, a place to safely download. It can't be like school, where their thoughts are destroyed with words and comments.

I spent two hours with these kids last night and never had to remind them once of the rules until with 15 minutes on the clock they had some cake and obviously that has an effect on them! No more sugar!!!

Discipline is something I hate to employ. As parents I think we agree, it would be so much easier if they would just "do it right" and we could enjoy time with them.

But the best part was this. They began asking questions about the Lord from 7pm. Each question grew more pointed. "How do you plug in to ministry" was the question I began with. Then they moved to prayer, power of God, what does "praying in tongues" mean, and down the line.

We got to a place about 8:15 where we were talking about the power of God. Various scriptures were being brought forth. We spent time on 2 Chronicles 7:14. It talks about humbling oneself, prayer and repentance. And then it began to happen. First one must understand, that a few of these children do not attend our church, and some go to other churches. I was describing the scriptures about the power and the glory of the Lord descending in the temple and how the priests were no longer able to minister. (Some churches pray for that for the wrong reasons!!!!) It had begun because one of the newer girls had seen someone fall in a service.

Leave it to God. He showed up. These were some of the descriptions of the young people. "The air feels 'thick'." "I feel very warm.""Is this God?" We began to pray. One of the young people began by praying for friends in school on drugs, those without parents. Some of the kids have dads in jail. Others have sick family members. God was there to heal a young man's eye. The power of God.

These young people will never be the same. It didn't last long. 15-20 minutes. The sweet presence of the Lord. I explained that this friendship with God could be found with Him any time.

Some of us older people could use a visitation from the Most High God. But what we see in young people is that they just march in to things. And if we can get them to embrace the God things, our later years will be peaceful. It begins with this.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. And ends with this.

2Chronicles 5:14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God!

Maybe not every time, but I assure you God is a real God despite what many say. His power didn't stop with Jesus. Greater miracles were promised us who believe!