High Seas Expedition Day 1

High Seas Expedition Day 1

Posted by Ashley Hoover

So this week I thought we'd take a look at the topics we covered during the VBS last week and some things I took away from the theme and stories each night.

On the first night we looked at the story of Peter in prison and learned that God’s Word is true.
Acts 12:1-19 is where this account is found in the Bible.

Peter had been put in jail for telling others about Christ. After King Herod realized that killing James made the Jews happy he evidently thought he was on to something to boost his popularity and had Peter arrested as well. It says in verse five that “the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” There were many people gathered together to pray for Peter’s release and while they had good intentions I believe, I find it interesting that they did not seem to believe that what were asking for (Peter’s release) would happen. In answer to their prayers God sent an angel that lead Peter out of prison unnoticed by the soldiers guarding him and Peter went to the house where they were all gathered after realizing what had happened. When he knocked a servant girl named Rhoda came to see who it was. Finding out it was Peter she was so excited she forgot to open the door and went to tell everyone else. This is interesting to me because I don’t know how old Rhoda was but it would seem she was young, maybe younger than anyone else there praying and she knew God had answered their prayer to rescue Peter from prison. The adults who prayed so hard and long told her she was out of her mind to think Peter was actually there at the door. They didn't believe God had answered. I’m not sure how after seeing Christ do miracles they would have had that reaction but they did.

The children learned through this story that God’s Word is true and we can trust in His promises. I also considered the fact that when we pray, we should pray believing that what we ask for God can bring about. To have that childlike faith is something I think God desires in all those who believe in Him. As we get older I think we can complicate matters a lot. Listening to children pray in their sincere, simple way always is challenging to me. James 1:6-8 says, “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” I want to believe when I pray and not have my mind made up about what the outcome will be because God just might have something miraculous in store if we have faith.

Scully was our buddy this night. Each child got one of these little guys and collected them as the week went on to help them remember what we talked about. He’s holding a compass to help remind the children that God’s Word is true and will always point them in the right direction. The Bible is the only map that is always true and has the right directions for life.