Good Day Passionate Youth Reaching Out, today is Wednesday June 1. My name is Grant and this is Start Up, helping you start your day with an upward focus.

We are going through Pauls letter to the Church in Rome, you can find it in your Bible under the title “Romans”. Today’s passage is one that sets the tone for the entire letter.

Romans 1:13–17 (HCSB)

13 Now I want you to know, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now ) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry among you, just as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

This is such an amazing portion of scripture, and it clear to me that such thoughts had to have been inspired by God for Paul to write them. If we focus in on verse 16 we find Paul’s theme for Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes.

God’s power is immense, he is over everything, and has complete authority is this universe that he has created. And what is God using his power towards? Paul says that the unlimited power of God is working towards salvation, for everyone who believes. To be saved from a life of slavery to sin takes a lot of power, but God has more then enough power to save anyone who believes and make them righteous.

Verse 17 ends by quoting Habakkuk, “The righteous will live by faith”. You should understand that word faith to mean, “faithful believing”. Those who live by faith are participating in the gospel, living out a message of salvation by the power of God almighty. What a very encouraging message.

Here is this weeks challenge.

Take a walk around your neighbourhood, at least once this week, and as you walk pray for your neighbours. Ask for God’s Kingdom to come and God’s will to be done in your neighbourhood, as it is in heaven. As you are praying, keep your eyes and your heart open to opportunities that God might give you have a conversation or lend a helping hand to the people that you encounter.

Our weekly Friday youth events have changed to monthly youth events for the summer, and the next event is not until Friday June 24 at McMahon Stadium. Stay connected with our church and youth group by attending the Sunday School and Church services on Sunday mornings and by being a part of a D Group.

If you want to find out more about our youth group, you can find us online at hbcyouth.ca. We are also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, just search for Hawkwood Youth.

https://www.facebook.com/HawkwoodYouthPYRO/

https://twitter.com/HawkwoodYouth

https://www.instagram.com/hawkwoodyouth/