He Could Be a Superhero

One thing our family does when we sit down for a meal together is have a family devotion time. We started doing this in July of last year and made a pledge to make this a priority at least 3-4 times a week. I found a wonderful site that has a daily family devotion and Bible reading: Josh McDowell Ministries. I have bookmarked the site and use my iPad in reading it each evening.



Some nights are better than others. On those nights, S and J are listening and offering insights, questions, and prayers. On the other nights, I just want to give up and say to heck with it. Is my effort even worth it?

Tonight it definitely was. Tonight's topic was about being a liberator and a "superhero" for God. The following is and excerpt. ...However, here's an awesome fact: To all the kids in your school and community who don't know Christ, you can be a spiritual superhero. When you help others trust in Jesus, you rescue them from the power of sin and Satan.

Most Christians like the idea of following Jesus. We might need a little persuading, however, that telling others about Christ is a great idea. Let me give you three big reasons why this superhero mission is a job you'll want to accept.

Reason Number 1: ...No matter how happy people might look, if they haven't trusted Christ they're separated from God. Jesus felt compassion for the people around him who weren't saved. He said they were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36, NIV).

Reason Number 2: God's rescue plan won't work without you. Jesus told his first disciples to tell others about him—from home (for them, that was Jerusalem) all the way to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). And nowadays someone still needs to tell the Good News to people nearby—and not so nearby. God wants you to be that someone! Like the apostle Paul said, "How can [people] call on [God] to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" (Romans 10:14).

Reason Number 3: You want to rescue others because God rescued you. Paul said Christ's love made him want to join God's rescue mission (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Think about this: What would your life be like today without Christ? If you are glad that God lovingly invited you to be his child, then join him in inviting others to trust him. The more deeply you understand God's love for you, the more you will want to help others find him.

Your mission is no secret. God's Word is clear: You're a spiritual superhero. And there's nothing better you can be!

This really got to S. He really has a strong handle on his faith and has even led one of his friends to Christ by inviting and encouraging him to come to Youth Group with him this fall. But he has another good friend, "John", whom he is concerned about. This boy is a great kid and faithful friend. But S has said over and over that he doesn't know where John stands although he says he's a Christian: "I go to church some." S has tried to invite him to Youth Group and his middle school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well but gets the cold shoulder and "that's stupid" and lots of other excuses. Mike and I told him not to give up, to be that superhero and keep praying for his friend. S is committed to this, and we thank God for that. Tonight was an encouraging night... for all of us.