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Commander Brooke:

I remember when Pastor Peter preached a really cool sermon about the Christmas story. It changed my life.

There was a champion in the Bible named Simeon (Luke 2:25-28). God had promised him that before Simeon died, he would get to see “the Messiah” (who we know is Jesus). That’s a pretty cool promise!

God was faithful, and one day Simeon was at the temple when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus there, so Simeon got to meet Him! He was so excited because God had answered his prayers.

What I love about this story is that Jesus was around 40 days old when his parents brought him to the temple. That means for 40 days, Simeon didn’t know it, but the very thing he’d been praying for was on its way.

As far as Simeon could see, nothing had changed. He was still going to the temple (like we go to church) every day, without any sign of a miracle or getting to meet the Messiah. What he didn’t know for those 40 days was that Jesus had been born and his parents were going to bring him to that very temple.

How cool is that?

Simeon saw nothing changing, but he was so close to seeing his miracle.

Imagine Simeon praying and asking God to send the Messiah, and over in Bethlehem, Jesus was being born! Simeon wouldn’t have known it, but his prayer was being answered! But it was going to be another 40 days before Simeon would see the answer to his prayer.

Pastor Peter taught us we should never give up on our prayers because even when it looks like nothing is changing, God is always working!

That’s something I’d love us all to learn from the Christmas story. When we are praying and using our faith voice, it’s easy to look at what’s around us and presume nothing is working. But Champion Simeon teaches us never to give up because Simeon found out that his prayer was answered after 40 days.

Whether we’re praying for Superkid Academy to grow, for Champ the crocodile, for healing in our bodies, for our friends and family to know Jesus, or for the desires of our hearts, God IS working and is answering our prayers, even if we can’t see it yet.

 

Commander Katelyn:

MARY! In my opinion, she is one of the most inspiring people in the Bible. Her bravery is just about unmatched! In nine words, she makes one of the most courageous statements: “Let it be to me according to Your word.”

An angel had just told her she was going to be the mother of Jesus! Her whole life was about to change. She was so young, just a couple of years older than our graduating Superkids. In that moment, every plan for her life changed. She could have been scared and unsure, yet her only response to God's call on her life was, “Let it be.”

She didn’t know how it would happen. She didn’t have all the answers, but in that moment, she courageously said YES. She was a CHAMPION, one who showed bravery and courage.

 

Commander Josh:

A champion is often recognised at the end of their story or at the highest point in their life and success. Jesus certainly did that! But a true champion has that attitude from the very beginning and is the reason they make it to the finish. Jesus lived with a champion attitude from the very start. He did what we never could, and because of our Champion, Jesus, we can have that same champion attitude which will get us to the end.

 

Commander Erika-Lee:

God uses what the world sees as weak and helpless to change the entire world. Jesus came as a baby, yet that baby became the Saviour of the world and our King forever. It doesn't matter what the world sees, says or thinks about you. If God can use a crying, screaming, pooping baby, He can use you too!

 

Commander Kirby:

God can use things that seem small and powerless to the world, like you or even faith as small as a mustard seed, to do great things. He can move mountains, bring the dead to life, and lead the lost to His light. Things that seem impossible become possible through God as we serve Him and build His kingdom.

 

 

There's so much more to discover in this edition of the Breakthrough Quarterly. Click here to keep reading!