VBS at SBC 2019: ABC’s and Raising her hand to Jesus

It’s another year of VBS. I’m not volunteering this year, but Tatum is still having a blast.

Just yesterday, she did pray for forgiveness of sins and to accept Jesus in her heart.

Now, yes, she has done this before with me. I have no idea if she understands what this all means. Doing it at VBS was more powerful because she was not WITH me. This was by her own will.

My biggest desire and I would say “goal” is for Tatum to develop her OWN relationship with Jesus. I want her to have a HEART for Jesus because kindness, love, joy..all of the fruits (including honor and obedience) don’t come from rules or fear of punishment; they come from one’s OWN heart and a desire to please Jesus/God. If she has this, then I know her life will not be empty of troubles, but it will be filled with tools to handle the problems armed with JOY and PEACE along the way.

So yesterday, they had her do the ABC’s:

Admit: It starts with admitting that you are a sinner.

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

That’s right: ALL OF US are sinners.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Sin earns us death. That means eternal death, or separation from God for all eternity. But the Bible doesn’t leave us there. The rest of that statement gives us hope for eternal life, through Jesus Christ.

Believe

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16); Believe in the Lord and you’ll be saved (Acts 16:31)

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? The Bible says Jesus Christ is God’s son, sent here to die in our place.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Sin can’t go unpunished, but God wants us ALL to have eternal life and to live a life with HIM; that’s why He sent His son Jesus Christ to die in our place.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21)

You must admit that sin has separated you, and when you truly believe that Jesus Christ died to make it right: YOU RESPOND!

Commit (Confess):

…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; (Romans 10:9)
For it is by Grace you have been saved; not of your own doing; it is a gift from God. (Eph 2:8,9)

Now, it really is up to her to “work out” her salvation. She will understand the power of this gift as we grow together our walk with God. I’m excited to see what is next. All I can do is model and be Jesus, living out my faith.

She received a parent guide which we’ll go through.