Enjoy this weeks message from our Children’s Church leader at New Day Christian Church, Michael Townsend. Sunday school for children and youth meet every Sunday except first Sunday of the month after worship in the sanctuary.

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God,

Are the buds coming out on the trees in your neighborhood? It seems that spring is sprouting and many will be preparing themselves for the summer by exercising and dieting so they can look and feel fit enough to be seen. For some it is to get into those swimsuits and look good. Looking good makes us feel good.

Have you ever noticed body builders? They work out at the gym and after a period of time their body begins to expand and you can see the results on the outside which is caused by the muscles and such on the inside. They prepare their outside appearance by doing the work on the inside. It is a concept of working from the inside-out. Those who exercise, and those who body build, watch what they put into their bodies and they go through the physical motions that begin first to build or create the changes on the inside of the body. This, in turn, creates a physical change on the outside that others can see and witness to the change that came from within.

Those who wish to change, often try to do so by first changing the outside so people can see the change, but that change does not stay long and therefore can be a false change, but a change from the inside-out will be a change that is built foundationally. The concept of inside-out change can also be applied to our spiritual building. Like a bodybuilder, we can build our spirit to be strong as well, but it first has to begin from the inside. If you are a new christian this can also work for you, but also those who are seasoned might need to make adjustments to their ways so they may move forward in a righteous way and not become stagnant.

To make any changes, one must first become humble and through their humility will find the greatest coach of all time who has been coaching a team for a very long time. The coach of course is the Lord. He already knows what needs to be changed in you so that it can be seen outside of you. After you humble yourself and accept Him and His terms, then your spirit building can begin. Just like any regiment, what you put into your body is what is going to come out of it, so properly diet with the Word of God and you will begin to see the trimmings of sin falling away.

Just like in the physical building, the center of spiritual building is in the heart and about the heart. You protect the heart through your physical so protect it through the spiritual by proper dieting and exercising what you learn. Listen to your coach, your Lord, and He will give you the directions on how to properly build, or for some, rebuild your spirit. If you follow His directions you will become a better person and feel better for it. Others will begin to see the change. This is how you build from the inside-out and strengthen a solid foundation that will hold a lot longer than going from the outside in. 

You can start today preparing your heart for a better life. For those who are new at this journey begin by accepting the Lord and He will teach you His ways. Follow His ways and you will begin to notice a change on the inside. You may not see the outside change, but that is okay, others will begin to see it. If you need to rebuild or fine tune what you already have, then humble yourself and let God take control again, then begin to follow His ways again, and you too will recognize that feeling of peace. Before you know it all those around you will see your spiritual body and admire the change in you. 

The little lambs ended their love month last week learning about the ten commandments and the two greatest commands, which is to first love God with all your heart, mind, body, and soul, and to love your neighbor. Your neighbor could be a stranger in the grocery store, your server at the restaurant, or a customer at work, or even the clerk at the DMV. This week we will not be having children’s church, however, be on the lookout for some changes as we strive to meet the needs of parents and children. God is on the move, be ready.

I look forward to worshiping our Lord and teacher of life with you tomorrow through songs of praise and dancing before Him who encourages us to a better spiritual life. If for whatever reason I do not see you tomorrow, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and light to direct you on your path. May He comfort you, strengthen you, heal you when you need it. Protect, guide, and bless those in need O, Lord.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)