After a week’s delay due to unexpected snow on the previous weekend, the winter tabernacle meetings’ youth activities took place on Saturday, March 4. For breakfast, delicious Belgian waffles were served. Topping choices were strawberries with whipped cream, bananas and maple syrup, chocolate and caramel syrup, or all of the above!

Following breakfast, everyone assembled into groups for a Bible trivia game. A list of words and phrases were displayed on the screen at the front of the room, and the teams had to decide which of the choices did not fit with the rest. The next game was a musical guessing game. Julianne Luka played a few notes of a Sunday school song on the piano, and teams competed to quickly name the tune. After the games, everyone participated in a time of singing together.

The morning devotional was presented by Samuel Oni (pictured above) from Pullman, Washington. He opened by reading Matthew 5:3 which says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Brother Samuel talked about the meaning of the word blessed and likened it to "happiness." He spoke about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and said that it gives examples of how to pursue that happiness. He gave examples of a secular view of obtaining blessedness, such as social media influence, money, fame, and love. He then talked about the Beatitudes, and focused on being “poor in spirit.”

Brother Samuel gave a list of Bible descriptions of what it means to be poor in spirit, including being humbled by the guilt of sin (Luke 18:13) and being broken and contrite (Psalm 51:17). He said that this is the attitude one must have to be saved. He then described how Paul the Apostle was a case study in being poor in spirit. Paul rejoiced in Christ and had no confidence in the flesh. He counted his gains as loss for Christ. Brother Samuel encouraged everyone to follow Paul’s example in order to obtain their Christian experiences and be effective witnesses for Christ.

In closing, Brother Samuel shared a personal testimony about the time his daughter had an accident and there was nothing the doctors could do. In desperation and entirely relying on God, he prayed through the night, imploring God for help. God answered his prayer and healed his daughter. Brother Samuel closed by saying that being poor in spirit is a result of praying and seeking God, not by living for worldly approval, and it yields rich eternal rewards.