The first thing that was waiting for you to arrive on this planet was the loving God who is for you. Then there was the loving family who was here to pray for you. God's purposes center in the family. He has always wanted a family, a people for Himself. His Family is called the Church. He sets the lonely in families (Psa. 68:6; NIV).

Ephesians 3:14-15, TLB When I think of the wisdom and scope of His plan, I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God—some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth.

You were never meant to be alone. God wants you to be part of a family. There are all kinds of young people who will read my new book, I Am Not Afraid of My Future. Each of them needs to be part of a family. For those of you who were not blessed to have Christian parents to pray for you, your spiritual family, your local church, is there for you. Add to that all of your brothers and sisters in Christ in your region, your state, your country, and all over the world who are connected to you by the same Holy Spirit! The apostle Paul made an amazing statement in his letter to the Church at Philippi.

Philippians 4:13, TLB For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.

Certainly, Christ is on the inside of you (Col. 1:27). Greater is the One who is in you than anyone that is in the world (1 Jn. 4:4)!

But the corporate Christ (His Body, His Church) is on the outside of you! Paul was in prison when he wrote Philippians, but was greatly encouraged anyway.

Philippians 1:19, NIV For I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Do you see it? Do you understand? Christ is on the INSIDE of you (His Spirit), and Christ is on the OUTSIDE of you (His people):

1. The strength of Christ on the inside comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells within you.

2. The strength and supply of Christ on the outside comes from the prayers of the family of God who is there to pray for you.

You do not have to be afraid of your future. God was here, waiting to show His great love for you. His family was here, waiting to pray for you, to help you, to encourage you, to walk with you! All you have to do now is to believe that and to receive that!

FURTHER RESOURCE: You can pre-order I Am Not Afraid of My Future online at http://www.kvmonlinestore.org/or by calling 910.324.5026.