If you are one who is working your way through a bible reading plan, by the time you come to Ezekiel 48 you may find yourself skimming at best, or if you are on short time, skipping at worst.  “At worst!”you might say  (well, you might say if you are like me and the thought of reading about tribal borders doesn’t fill your soul with joy or your mind.)

This would be one of those times that knowing God’s Word is full of hidden treasures would keep you going and striking new treasure.  For there is a gem hidden when you have finally dug down to verse 35 (really! the last verse) and read the last phrase. (or if you are like me some you may skip to the end quickly).

 ³⁵“The city shall be 18,000 cubits round about; and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The LORD is there.’”

Now to chew on this (or meditate, or marinate as a good friend says) is richly rewarding.  I want to be where the Lord is.  To be in His presence.  I want this to be true of my family.  I want this to be true of CU.

Spurgeon has a great sermon on this verse

I know that there is a company who can truly say that they feel only happy when they are conscious that God is with them. The place where they meet with the Lord is very dear and precious to them, because of his unveilings. The memory of holy convocations is sweet, because the Lord was among them. They would not care to go where God is not. If there were a place forsaken of God, however gay and full of merriment men might think it, they would not be found among its guests. Where we cannot enjoy God’s company we will not go. Our motto is: “With God, anywhere. Without God, nowhere.”

You can read the whole thing (which is long and is like digging again, but really great; even the letter at the end) here.

Our last ‘normal’ meeting of the semester was last night - Encouragement Night!  It has become somewhat of a tradition at Challenge and displays one of the distinctives of our ministry.  Its all about the heart.

On this night we take 2 or so minutes for each person in the room and others encourage them with how they have seen character or heart attitudes displayed (or gained) in the person’s life and actions. It is really an amazing night as we get to hear how God has used students and how they have been growing spiritually and blessing others.  It also gives us a chance to help students who have a difficult time receiving or giving encouragement.

Now this is not the only time in the year that Challenge students encourage one another and build each other up - it goes on all the time, but it is a time to specifically focus on giving a good word and cheering students’  hearts.

 An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.  Prov. 12:25

It is also fun to hear the creativeness which some people have in giving encouragement.  We don’t always get that privilege when it goes on just person to person.  People’s hearts are also displayed when they share and so we know each other more deeply as a result.

A reminder to stay alert at all times comes from this man.  Sounds like he enjoyed freedom and rescue over Easter.

Arizona’s state missionary used to tell us “We are all one step from stupid.”  I can sure use this reminder.  It is so easy to be wrapped up in busyness of what we should be doing, that we lose a situational awareness.  Its not hard to find or remember examples of this.

1 Peter 5:   ⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.